The Distill - The Gang Builds Robot Versions of Themselves

Greeting Pioneers,

Light week, which brings us to this news: We're trying out a biweekly cadence for 2026. Next issue drops in two weeks.

Here's what's happening:

Build Your First OpenClaw Skill - VCN March 4th

A couple weeks ago, Nate built a robot version of Dan to write all of his code for him. This Wednesday you can build one too.

Nate from DueGooder is showing us how to set up OpenClaw and install your first skill at Vibe Code Night on March 4th, 5-8pm.

OpenClaw can review your analytics and suggest features, write engineering tickets, summarize your life across Slack/email/Notion, and build you a digital daily diary. It runs locally on a computer (or in the cloud) and actually executes tasks.

We highly recommend you run it locally on a mac mini or mini PC and bring one to this session. We’ll have monitors available! You’re also welcome to just come and watch, but where’s the fun in that?

You can find used mac minis (M1/M2/M3/M4 chips) online, or pickup a new mini PC (Bosgame E5 currently on sale for $260 / or a Dreamquest should get the job done) and install linux.

We’ll have monitors available and can help you install linux via Slack.

Register for VCN here

Other Local Happenings

Founder Beers This Wednesday

This ones at Maybe It’s Fate on Wednesday night at 7pm - right around the corner from The Block. Show up, grab a drink, talk shop. A bunch of us are headed over after VCN!

Come Support Your Favorite Founders at Startups to Watch

It’s the place to be! Come rub elbows with the who’s who of the Louisville startup scene and learn more about the companies being showcased this year!

We have a block of special-rate tickets for founders that should have some spots left - promo code is Founder26 - first come, first served. Get your tickets here!

Note’s on The Distill’s co-EICs: Jack Crowdis & Rachel Edenfield

Jack runs the newsletter, helps run KYX. He’s a career startup kid, past founder, and current operator. Weekly contributor. Always editor.

Rachel’s the Founder/CEO of venture-backed Swell, and a driver of KYX. Routinely delivers the city’s sharpest long-form startup advice. Always re-edits Jack’s edits (including this bio).

Know someone who should read this? Forward it, or send them this link.

That’s a wrap 🎬
Keep showing up 👊 
Keep shipping 🚢 
Peace, Pioneers ✌️