Who will be crowned champion of Tweener Madness and take home the $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund?
The championship features two radically different approaches to innovation:
- ZW (Robert Fu) – An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers optimize production and R&D in complex industries.
- InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis) – A calendar-based marketing solution helping brands reach customers at exactly the right time.
ZW (Robert Fu)
- Platform suite includes ZAI, ZMAP, and ZFastQ—each targeting different needs in manufacturing and R&D.
- Combines deep manufacturing experience with proprietary AI to handle data-heavy optimization challenges.
- Focused on proof-of-concept engagements with industrial clients, including those looking to reduce energy use or improve yield.
- Emphasizes speed over patents—lean team, bootstrapped hustle, and decades of industry know-how.
- Looking to build out sales and marketing strategy with targeted funding.
InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis)
- Pioneering “calendar marketing” with branded invites that sync to customers’ calendars for product drops, shipping alerts, and events.
- Deep integrations with Shopify, Klaviyo, and Mailchimp; strong early traction with eComm brands.
- Clear technical moat in managing cross-platform calendar compatibility and high-scale deliverability.
- Future plans include AI-powered segmentation and automation, plus agency partnerships to scale distribution.
- Big focus on customer education and making a brand’s most important moments unmissable.
Selection Committee
- Robbie Allen – General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
- Nikita Ramaswamy – Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
- Scot Wingo – Host & General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
Key Discussion Topics
🧠 ZW’s Highlights
- Custom AI models built to solve complex, high-variable industrial problems
- Strong market understanding from years inside Corning and similar legacy companies
- Sales strategy driven by proof-of-concept deals and existing network relationships
- Bootstrapped and scrappy: trade shows, peanut butter sandwiches, and real customer traction
- Plans to scale with the right sales hire and targeted marketing spend
📅 InviteJet’s Highlights
- Calendar invites as a new marketing channel—high visibility, minimal friction, big conversion potential
- Built-in unsubscribe controls, multi-tenant tools, and robust integration roadmap
- Not chasing trends: AI is in the plan but not the product’s core value
- Early success with brands doing weekly drops and time-sensitive promos
- Clear-eyed about the challenges of educating the market—and excited to lead the way
📌
Timestamps (
00:00:04) – Championship kickoff with Scot Wingo
(
00:01:25) – ZW fields questions on product, AI architecture, and industrial go-to-market
(
00:27:04) – InviteJet dives into scaling, technical differentiation, customer retention, and future roadmap
(
01:02:47) – Selection committee debrief and reflections on both companies
So who wins? 🏆 Tune in to find out!
This episode wraps up the Tweener Madness series, where eight Triangle startups competed for a $25K investment and plenty of local bragging rights.
🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.
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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:
- Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/