Pioneering Perspectives Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:00:46 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2175989 en-us © 2026 Pioneering Perspectives yes 7281a37e-cb58-520e-9e75-349e0094e72f admin@pioneers21.org Pioneers21 episodic false Pioneering Perspectives Podcast is the podcast for all things Pioneers 21! Pioneers 21 is a nonprofit organization and business incubator based in Downtown El Paso, Texas.  
We are a regional center that provides an affordable and welcoming space with valuable resources and connections for tech and non-tech businesses. On this show, you can expect to hear from business professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders as we talk about adversities in starting and scaling a business, tips for entrepreneurs, events and resources in the El Paso community, and the crazy, behind the scenes work at Pioneers 21. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Pioneers21 admin@pioneers21.org https://storage.buzzsprout.com/laluinyjzdgx6ex1rfi2oschs0fq?.jpg Pioneering Perspectives https://www.buzzsprout.com/2175989 Cracking the Code with Felix Martinez Cracking the Code with Felix Martinez Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, "Cracking the Code," we're joined by the founder of AI Krixus, winner of both the Service Track and Overall Winner of the 4th Annual P21 VMS Pitch Challenge. He shares how mentorship, feedback, and continuous refinement helped transform his venture from an early-stage idea into an award-winning startup. From strengthening his pitch to building confidence as a founder, he reflects on the lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. 

Whether you're developing your first idea or preparing for your next opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on perseverance, communication, and what it really takes to stand out as an entrepreneur. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/xqz7S7CxSPw 

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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, "Cracking the Code," we're joined by the founder of AI Krixus, winner of both the Service Track and Overall Winner of the 4th Annual P21 VMS Pitch Challenge. He shares how mentorship, feedback, and continuous refinement helped transform his venture from an early-stage idea into an award-winning startup. From strengthening his pitch to building confidence as a founder, he reflects on the lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. 

Whether you're developing your first idea or preparing for your next opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on perseverance, communication, and what it really takes to stand out as an entrepreneur. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/xqz7S7CxSPw 

Listen on: 

Stay Connected: 

Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!
https://pioneers21.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7453c8a78fca6db0e2ce742d5&id=9f19b0c937
 
Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-19581886 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:00:00 -0600 1599 3 5 full false AI Fuel for Entrepreneurs with Thea Zimnicki AI Fuel for Entrepreneurs with Thea Zimnicki Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives! In this episode of “AI Fuel for Entrepreneurs,” we are joined by Thea Zimnicki, a P21 VMS Mentor, and the Founder and CEO of FutureProof. Thea Zimnicki shares how solo entrepreneurs can harness AI as a "business partner" to automate tasks, maintain authenticity, and drive business growth. She also dives in on overcoming AI integration challenges, navigating ethical considerations, and leveraging emerging trends to scale effectively.  

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned founder, Thea’s insight and perspective is invaluable. Don’t miss this episode!! 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBblCmonlNc  

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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

 

 

]]> Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives! In this episode of “AI Fuel for Entrepreneurs,” we are joined by Thea Zimnicki, a P21 VMS Mentor, and the Founder and CEO of FutureProof. Thea Zimnicki shares how solo entrepreneurs can harness AI as a "business partner" to automate tasks, maintain authenticity, and drive business growth. She also dives in on overcoming AI integration challenges, navigating ethical considerations, and leveraging emerging trends to scale effectively.  

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned founder, Thea’s insight and perspective is invaluable. Don’t miss this episode!! 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBblCmonlNc  

Listen on: 

Stay Connected: 

Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!
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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

 

 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-19545832 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0600 2121 2 8 full false Building a STEMpire with Missy Lazo Aveytia Building a STEMpire with Missy Lazo Aveytia Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives! In this episode of “Building a STEMpire,” we are joined by Missy Lazo Aveytia, Mechanical Engineer at Marathon, the Founder of SheCreates, and Business Owner of the Melissa Aveytia Insurance Agency LLC. Missy shares how the El Paso region is primed for aerospace innovation and why engineers with entrepreneurial vision are perfectly positioned to lead this transformation. From leveraging industry opportunities with companies like Virgin Galactic and Lockheed Martin to overcoming challenges in leadership and business, Missy’s insights offer a blueprint for engineers and founders ready to make an impact. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or STEM enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Don’t miss it!   

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JEQB4ubFA 

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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives! In this episode of “Building a STEMpire,” we are joined by Missy Lazo Aveytia, Mechanical Engineer at Marathon, the Founder of SheCreates, and Business Owner of the Melissa Aveytia Insurance Agency LLC. Missy shares how the El Paso region is primed for aerospace innovation and why engineers with entrepreneurial vision are perfectly positioned to lead this transformation. From leveraging industry opportunities with companies like Virgin Galactic and Lockheed Martin to overcoming challenges in leadership and business, Missy’s insights offer a blueprint for engineers and founders ready to make an impact. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or STEM enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Don’t miss it!   

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JEQB4ubFA 

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Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!
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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-19545772 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0600 1660 2 9 full false Clicks to Cash with Ivonne Luevanos Clicks to Cash with Ivonne Luevanos Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives! In this exclusive interview with Ivonne Luevanos, the visionary CEO behind Bonnie Collection, we explore the benefits of having an E-commerce website and how it can elevate your business in today’s digital age throughout our Digital Marketing Series Program. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or STEM enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Don’t miss it!   

This podcast is in Spanish. To view with English subtitles, check out our channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlz5HECchJw&t=2s 

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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives! In this exclusive interview with Ivonne Luevanos, the visionary CEO behind Bonnie Collection, we explore the benefits of having an E-commerce website and how it can elevate your business in today’s digital age throughout our Digital Marketing Series Program. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned founder, or STEM enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Don’t miss it!   

This podcast is in Spanish. To view with English subtitles, check out our channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlz5HECchJw&t=2s 

Listen on: 

Stay Connected: 

Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!
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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-19545713 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:00:00 -0600 623 3 1 full false Sharpening Your Senses with LacSense and The Sense Cube Sharpening Your Senses with LacSense and The Sense Cube Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, "Sharpening Your Senses," we're joined by Md. Mamunoor Islam, founder of LacSense, and Carlos Gael Hernandez Castro, founder of The Sense Cube, two UTEP student innovators who competed in the 4th Annual P21 VMS Pitch Challenge. Mamunoor and Carlos share how mentorship, feedback, and repeated refinement transformed both their ventures and the way they communicate their ideas. From overcoming self-doubt to distilling complex technologies into compelling one-minute pitches, they reflect on the lessons that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys. 

Whether you're a student with your first idea or an entrepreneur preparing for your next opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on resilience, storytelling, and the value of embracing feedback to build something better. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/l4JkVMhyuCs 

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Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!
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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, "Sharpening Your Senses," we're joined by Md. Mamunoor Islam, founder of LacSense, and Carlos Gael Hernandez Castro, founder of The Sense Cube, two UTEP student innovators who competed in the 4th Annual P21 VMS Pitch Challenge. Mamunoor and Carlos share how mentorship, feedback, and repeated refinement transformed both their ventures and the way they communicate their ideas. From overcoming self-doubt to distilling complex technologies into compelling one-minute pitches, they reflect on the lessons that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys. 

Whether you're a student with your first idea or an entrepreneur preparing for your next opportunity, this conversation offers practical insights on resilience, storytelling, and the value of embracing feedback to build something better. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/l4JkVMhyuCs 

Listen on: 

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Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!
 https://pioneers21.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7453c8a78fca6db0e2ce742d5&id=9f19b0c937 

Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-19467190 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:00:00 -0600 1776 3 4 full false Manufacturing the Future with Philip Morton Manufacturing the Future with Philip Morton  Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, “Manufacturing the Future,” we’re joined by Philip Morton, Founder of PM Technologies. Philip shares how he turned his background in mechanical engineering and additive manufacturing into a company focused on on-demand, point-of-need production for defense and advanced manufacturing. He talks about starting during COVID, pivoting into defense tech, securing a $190K federal contract, and building within El Paso’s growing innovation ecosystem. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, Philip’s journey highlights resilience, technical innovation, and the drive to build something that lasts. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/2VCbl2nqJwc  

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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]>  Welcome back to the Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, “Manufacturing the Future,” we’re joined by Philip Morton, Founder of PM Technologies. Philip shares how he turned his background in mechanical engineering and additive manufacturing into a company focused on on-demand, point-of-need production for defense and advanced manufacturing. He talks about starting during COVID, pivoting into defense tech, securing a $190K federal contract, and building within El Paso’s growing innovation ecosystem. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, Philip’s journey highlights resilience, technical innovation, and the drive to build something that lasts. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! Link: https://youtu.be/2VCbl2nqJwc  

Listen on: 

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Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest
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Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGQNrzqrGqw 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-19084571 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0600 2490 3 3 full false Idea to Illumination with Luis Ochoa Idea to Illumination with Luis Ochoa Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, “Idea to Illumination,” we’re joined by Luis Ochoa, Founder and CEO of Kraft 3D. Luis shares how he turned his background in design and 3D printing into a growing business that creates custom lamps and keepsakes, turning memories into light. He talks about winning Pioneers 21’s Pitch Challenge, how he used that funding to expand his work, and what he’s learning now in the Capital Edge Accelerator. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, Luis’s journey shows the power of persistence, creativity, and community. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/XY1_Vk6NLQk

Listen on: 

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Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!

Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo) 

]]> Welcome back to Pioneering Perspectives Podcast! In this episode, “Idea to Illumination,” we’re joined by Luis Ochoa, Founder and CEO of Kraft 3D. Luis shares how he turned his background in design and 3D printing into a growing business that creates custom lamps and keepsakes, turning memories into light. He talks about winning Pioneers 21’s Pitch Challenge, how he used that funding to expand his work, and what he’s learning now in the Capital Edge Accelerator. 

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, Luis’s journey shows the power of persistence, creativity, and community. 

Now available to watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/XY1_Vk6NLQk

Listen on: 

Stay Connected: 

Subscribe to our newsletter: Pioneers 21 Innovator’s Digest!

Music: ♪ Onion (Prod. by Lukrembo) 

]]> Pioneers21 Buzzsprout-18168111 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:00:00 -0700 1611 3 2 full false