Everything Upgraded: Rethinking Consumer Tech for the Circular Economy

Why toss your old laptop when it could live another life—and another—without ever hitting a landfill?

That’s the question driving John Erik Metcalf, CEO & Co-founder of Upgraded, who joins Nick Spiller to talk about building a business that’s equal parts circular economy, fintech, and tech retail. John dives into his 10+ years of startup experience, from early coworking projects in Austin to launching leasing platforms for Apple products in Scandinavia. He shares lessons on team-building, fundraising, and why you shouldn’t just mimic Elon Musk.

Whether you’re deep in product ops, raising your next round, or simply curious about the future of sustainable tech, this episode delivers fresh perspective on what it means to scale with purpose.

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