Relentless

Max Lobovsky, cofounder and CEO of Formlabs, shares insights on leading a top 3D printing startup. He discusses the rollercoaster ride of their successful Kickstarter campaign and the challenges of early manufacturing. Max opens up about the existential patent lawsuit and the strategic decisions that shaped Formlabs, including product-market tradeoffs and a focus on problem-solving over technical vanity. He also delves into team dynamics, hiring smart individuals, and building supplier relationships, reflecting on the evolving landscape of global manufacturing.

David Zagaynov, co-founder and CEO of Poseidon, delves into the future of air cargo logistics. He shares insights from his Amazon background and the significance of lowering costs for air transport. Discussing the advantages of unmanned cargo planes, he argues that removing pilots can dramatically cut operational expenses. David reveals exciting timelines for testing innovative seaplane prototypes and how they aim to revolutionize regional air market dynamics. With a focus on dual-use applications, he explains how Poseidon's approach could transform logistics from the ground up.

Saif Khawaja, Co-founder and CEO of Shinkei Systems, revolutionizes seafood processing with the Poseidon fish-harvesting robot. He discusses how traditional methods harm fish quality and explains the humane ike-jime technique used by the robot to extend shelf life. Khawaja shares insights into the demand for high-quality seafood from top restaurants and the importance of traceability in creating a 'Ceremony Grade' standard. He also reflects on celebrating fishermen’s craft and emphasizes the need for transparency in the food industry.

Justin Fiaschetti, co-founder and CEO of Inversion, leads the charge in autonomous re-entry vehicles for rapid cargo delivery from space. He discusses why orbital logistics matter, highlighting the speed and efficiency of delivering payloads globally. The conversation dives into lessons learned from their first demo mission, the importance of customer-driven design, and how reusable rockets facilitate operations. Justin also shares insights on how space logistics could transform military strategies and the future of goods transportation.

Saurav Shroff, co-founder and CEO of StarPath, is on a mission to make Mars habitable with low-cost rovers and solar tech. He discusses the innovative production of methane and oxygen from Martian resources for sustainable fuel. Shroff contrasts expensive NASA rovers with StarPath's affordable models and highlights the challenges of mass solar panel production. He also dives into the philosophical implications of colonizing Mars and frames it as an exhilarating new market. Expect rapid prototyping strategies and a vision of a million-inhabitant Martian city!

Kyle Doerksen, the visionary founder and CEO of Future Motion, shares the incredible journey of creating the Onewheel. He discusses the inspiration behind its design, rooted in his snowboarding background, and the challenges he faced during the initial prototype phase. Kyle reveals how Kickstarter launched his project into success and why he opted for domestic manufacturing. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, product durability, and his philosophy on customer-friendly policies, all while navigating through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Mitch Lee, cofounder and CEO of Arc Boats, dives into the future of electric boating. With a background in mechanical engineering and software, he shares how Arc developed its first boat in just two years using rapid prototyping and automotive-grade technology. Mitch discusses the advantages of electric boats over gas, emphasizing lower operating costs and a better owner experience. He also touches on industry challenges, the importance of customer feedback, and plans for scaling production. His insights reveal a promising direction for sustainable marine innovation.

Bryon Hargis, cofounder and CEO of Castellion, leads a breakthrough startup focused on hypersonic missiles. He discusses the rapid iteration processes inspired by SpaceX, emphasizing the importance of speed over traditional methods. Hargis shares his journey through fundraising struggles, the significance of transparency in financial matters, and lessons learned from hands-on engineering. He advocates for tackling medium-hard problems first and highlights the need for frequent testing to maintain national competitiveness in aerospace.

In this discussion, Alexis Rivas, Founder and CEO of Cover, delves into innovative solutions for the US housing crisis. He highlights the staggering multi-million unit shortage and why homes must be built where people want to live. Alexis challenges the stigma around prefab homes by emphasizing high-end models. He also shares strategies to streamline permitting and training for assembly teams. With a vision to manufacture homes rapidly, he draws parallels with automotive efficiency and details the cross-disciplinary team's approach to revolutionizing home production.

Pari Singh, Founder and CEO of Flow, is a former rocket engineer on a mission to revolutionize hardware design. He discusses the transition from traditional engineering to an agile paradigm, highlighting how U.S. hardware startups can outpace China. Pari shares insights on SpaceX's iterative successes and the importance of embracing complexity over a top-down approach. He emphasizes the need for cultural shifts alongside technology, making a case for the U.S. to focus on reliability and AI to reclaim manufacturing supremacy.