Episode 253: Incredible Technologies

Episode 253 originally broadcast on April 10, 2010

Speech synthesis expert Dr. Matthew Aylett founded CereProc (Cerebral Processing), believing that speech technology could benefit from recent advances in speech synthesis. CereProc develops text-to-speech technologies and has garnered press from its latest client, Roger Ebert. Our flashback interviewee is the brilliant Matthew Nordan of early-stage venture capital fund Venrock.

School of Business 04/10/10

Russ and John present the show about the BusinessMAKERS, the entrepreneurs who make all the good things happen. Includes: the BusinessMakers Quote of the Day—wise words from Thomas Jefferson; This Week in Business History includes juicy bits that include Ivory Soap, the sinking of the Titanic, and Apollo 13; the Jargon Challenge Round—acronyms, technospeak and trendy new stuff you should know; and Dumbest Moments in Business History—a Biltmore Hotel employee arranges for a day off.

Producing Speech for Those Who Can’t

Speech synthesis expert Dr. Matthew Aylett founded CereProc (Cerebral Processing), believing that speech technology could benefit from recent advances in speech synthesis. He was right. CereProc specializes in text-to-speech technologies and, since receiving a grant from the Scottish Government, has experienced double- and triple-digit year-on-year growth. Aylett believes that in today’s environment, producing speech synthesis is not merely a science, but that it is dynamic and is an art. This may sound like a technology story, but it is also a story of compassion.

Perspectives on Game-Changers

Russ visits with Matthew Nordan, a vice president at early-stage venture capital fund Venrock. Venrock was founded in the 1930s as the venture investing arm of the Rockefeller family and today seeks young companies with game-changing technology. It’s all about use of resources and what we do with matter, he says, and waxes philosophical about what’s REALLY important. Nordan has a fascinating perspective on nanotechnology, the economy and where we’re headed.