Forging the Future takes it to the court in this week’s episode, featuring GRIND Founder and CEO Thomas Fields. GRIND is a consumer brand developing the world's first smart ecosystem of sports equipment products, starting with a portable basketball rebounding machine, and is focused on empowering athletes, trainers and coaches with affordable and innovative products. Talking points include experiencing Shark Tank as a first-time entrepreneur, helping the community at Houston’s annual GRIND Day event, and balancing hardware and software development as a founder to deliver on customer needs and meet demand.

Cryptocurrency expert John T. Perrone joins the pod to talk about the future of finance and technology, sharing insights from his experience as CEO and founder of BitWallet, a leading company in the digital currency space. With a unique twist on his entrepreneurial journey, John also owns BitWallet Bet, a sports book, and brings a fresh perspective to the conversation. Having successfully navigated the tech industry, John discusses innovative approaches to cryptocurrency, gaming, and more, offering a glimpse into the next generation of financial technology. Talking points include the evolution of digital currency, disruptions in the gaming industry, and John's vision for the future of finance and tech.

Kyle Judah, Executive Director of Rice University's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie), joins the pod to talk about launching world-changing startups. With a background in fostering startup ecosystems, Kyle is passionate about offering career-altering opportunities for the Rice University campus community to learn about innovation and entrepreneurship. Talking points include the Liu Idea Lab origin story, higher education embracing entrepreneurship, and pitfalls to avoid as a first-time entrepreneur.