Uphill Both Ways: A Founder’s Journey with David Ridenhour, Founder of Undercurrent
What happens when you realize that the biggest obstacles inside an organization aren't always visible on the surface?
In this episode of Uphill Both Ways: A Founder’s Journey, hosted by Alan “Blake” Blakeborough of Launchpad Tech Ventures, Blake sits down with David Ridenhour, founder of Undercurrent, to explore his unconventional path into entrepreneurship and the problem he set out to solve.
David describes himself as an “entrepreneurial mutt” — a journey that took him through the nonprofit world, IT, cybersecurity, organizational development, and eventually startup building. Along the way, he recognized a recurring problem: organizations often know they need to change, but they don't always understand what is preventing that change from happening.
That realization became the foundation for Undercurrent, an AI-powered platform designed to help consultants uncover why organizations can't change — including the difficult issues and “elephants in the room” that people may not be willing to say out loud.
In this conversation, David and Blake explore
- David's unconventional journey from nonprofit work and IT to entrepreneurship
- The difference between wanting security and being willing to invest in it
- Why organizational change is often blocked by issues people don't openly discuss
- How Undercurrent helps consultants uncover the deeper dynamics inside organizations
- Why traditional assessments, personality tests, and business systems don't always reveal what's happening “in the field”
- The challenge consultants face when entering an organization without knowing its history or internal dynamics
- How AI can help consultants analyze emotional and behavioral patterns over time
- Why David believes Undercurrent needs a meaningful intellectual-property advantage in the age of AI
- David's experience going through the Launchpad Tech Ventures program
- Why building a company may be possible alone, but surviving entrepreneurship requires a team and a tribe
- The mentors who helped David recognize and embrace the unusual combination of technology, creativity, and humanities in his background
- The book Failure of Nerve and David's perspective on leadership and organizational dynamics
- David's passion for cooking and the creative process behind making a great meal
David also shares an important message for entrepreneurs who are sitting on an idea or wondering whether they're ready to take the leap: take the next step, bet on yourself, and try it out. You don't have to know exactly where the journey will lead before you begin.
For founders, consultants, business leaders, and anyone interested in the human side of organizational change, this episode offers a candid look at what it means to take an idea, build something new, and bet on yourself.
About Launchpad Tech Ventures
Launchpad Tech Ventures helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into companies through practical education, mentorship, community, and hands-on startup development.
About Uphill Both Ways: A Founder’s Journey
Uphill Both Ways explores the real stories behind entrepreneurship — the ideas, setbacks, breakthroughs, mentors, risks, and relationships that shape the journey from nothing to something.
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