Building Bridges in Education: Kevin Harnist's Journey from Trading Floors to EdTech Innovation

In this episode of The Stash Cast, host Stash Geleszinski sits down with Kevin Harnist, a dynamic individual making waves in the edtech industry. Kevin begins by sharing his multifaceted career journey, from the high-intensity trading floors of Chicago to his entrepreneurial ventures in education and his current role at Intrepid Finance. His diverse responsibilities reflect his commitment to impact the startup and educational sectors positively.

Kevin discusses the shift from trading to startups, driven by a desire for more meaningful societal contributions. He talks about the founding of his edtech company, Engage WIT, and how it navigated the challenges brought by the pandemic, leading to a necessary pivot that redirected their mission towards supporting novice teachers.

The episode shines a light on Founders at the Foundry, an initiative led by Kevin that cultivates a community for founders to share resources, experiences, and support. In his role at Intrepid Finance, Kevin explores innovative funding solutions to preserve equity for startups, highlighting the importance of non-dilutive capital.

Stash and Kevin delve into the value of real-world experience in validating startup concepts, learning from both successes and missteps. Kevin illustrates how Engage WIT seeks to revolutionize educator development, harnessing AI to create a collaborative mentorship platform that tailors professional growth to individual classroom environments.

Looking forward, Kevin envisions a future where technology, especially AI, plays a transformative role in various industries, including education. The episode concludes with Kevin inviting listeners to connect with him for mentorship, guidance, or collaboration in the startup world, emphasizing the power of building momentum in the early stages of entrepreneurship.

Listeners can reach out to Kevin Harnist directly at kevin@engagewit.org or connect with him on LinkedIn to join the discussion on startups, education, or to participate in Founders at the Foundry.

This installment of The Stash Cast encapsulates the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and a heartfelt mission to enhance the education sector, offering listeners valuable insights from a leader passionate about fostering growth and change.