EP 145: Rick Smith (CEO, Axon): The Wild Ride From Near-Bankruptcy to $50B+

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May 30, 2025

Rick Smith, CEO of Axon, leads a company worth nearly $50 billion, transforming law enforcement with technology like tasers and body cameras. He recounts the rollercoaster financial journey from an IPO amidst skepticism to becoming a tech pioneer focusing on safety. Smith discusses the impact of societal events like Ferguson on police technology's evolution and the critical role of AI in enhancing law enforcement. He also addresses challenges like public perception of tasers and the ongoing mission to make the bullet obsolete.

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ANECDOTE

Axon's Evolution and AI Integration

Axon evolved from the TASER, expanding to body cameras and cloud software like evidence.com.
They now incorporate AI tools such as DraftOne to help police draft reports faster and more accurately.

ADVICE

Stay Curious and Adapt

Stay curious and humble to challenge sacred cows and embrace necessary change.
Adaptability is key to surviving shifts like the AI revolution.

INSIGHT

Focus on Value Creation

Focus on creating value and sustainable business rather than trying to please investors.
Investors will reward true progress, not just optimistic storytelling.

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Rick Smith (CEO, Axon) joined Logan to share the 30-year journey of building a nearly $50B public company behind the TASER, police body cameras, and now AI-powered tools like Draft One. He talks about taking Axon public in the early 2000s, navigating intense public scrutiny, and evolving from a controversial hardware startup into a software and AI pioneer. Rick also reflects on leadership lessons, regulatory battles, and his long-term mission to make the bullet obsolete. It’s a candid and compelling conversation with one of the most unconventional founders in tech.

(00:00) Intro
(01:31) Axon: Reducing Violence Through Technology
(02:12) The Evolution of Axon: From Taser to Body Cameras
(04:56) Challenges and Triumphs: Going Public and Beyond
(07:17) The Impact of Ferguson and the Rise of Body Cameras
(11:16) Navigating Cultural and Business Shifts
(17:04) The Role of AI and Future Innovations
(25:26) The Taser: Technology and Purpose
(34:17) Making the Bullet Obsolete: Future of Law Enforcement
(37:10) Consumer Market Evolution
(37:59) Proving Taser's Viability
(40:17) Targeting Gun Owners
(41:45) Taser-Related Deaths and Media Perception
(48:07) Employee Taser Experience
(50:59) Impact of Body Cameras
(52:43) AI Innovations in Law Enforcement
(56:15) Challenges in Product Development
(01:04:27) Regulatory Hurdles
(01:11:31) Leadership and Company Culture
(01:14:58) Future Vision for Axon

Executive Producer: Rashad Assir

Producer: Leah Clapper

Mixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky

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About the Show

Logan Bartlett is a Software Investor at Redpoint Ventures - a Silicon Valley-based VC with $6B AUM and investments in Snowflake, DraftKings, Twilio, and Netflix. In each episode, Logan goes behind the scenes with world-class entrepreneurs and investors. If you're interested in the real inside baseball of tech, entrepreneurship, and start-up investing, tune in every Friday for new episodes.