Research Radio

Drone swarms in warfare are becoming more common. Epirus is building high power energy weapons as a response. In a word? What they've created is force fields. In this episode, we sat down with Epirus CEO Andy Lowery.⁠Read our full memo on Epirus' business.⁠Subscribe to the Contrary Research Newsletter⁠Legal: https://www.contrary.com/legal

Zach Dell and Justin Lopas, co-founders of Base Power, bring their innovative vision to the discussion. They tackle the aging U.S. electric grid and unveil how their company is modernizing energy access through distributed battery storage. Exciting insights into the unique energy landscape of Texas reveal opportunities for integrating cutting-edge technology. They also compare traditional generators with home batteries, highlighting affordable, reliable backup solutions. The importance of assembling a skilled team in the energy sector rounds out the conversation.

Eduardo Torrealba, CEO and co-founder of Lumafield, shares insights from his journey in revolutionizing manufacturing with cutting-edge CT scanning technology. Discussing how Lumafield aims to democratize access to industrial capabilities, he emphasizes creating a comprehensive database of manufactured objects. The conversation dives into the role of AI in enhancing human capabilities, advancements in quality control, and a customer-focused pricing strategy. Torrealba also highlights future milestones towards nearly autonomous manufacturing processes.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Power, CEO and Founder of Hadrian, shares his vision for revitalizing America's manufacturing sector through automation. He dives into the pressing challenges facing U.S. industrial hubs and the importance of workforce training amidst technological advancements. The conversation highlights innovations in defense and aerospace, shedding light on strategic partnerships that enhance efficiency. Power emphasizes balancing human expertise with automated systems, showcasing how the future of factories will evolve to meet modern demands.

JumpCloud is offering companies a cloud-native solution to manage their identity directory without having to “sell their soul”, so to speak, by becoming a wall-to-wall Microsoft stack. We sat down with CTO and Co-founder of JumpCloud, Greg Keller. Read our deep dive on the identity security world. Subscribe to the Contrary Research Newsletter Legal: https://www.contrary.com/legal

Reed McGinley-Stempel, CEO and Co-founder of Stytch, discusses the revolution in user authentication. He shares insights on how traditional methods hinder user experience and the need for frictionless solutions. The transition to passwordless authentication is explored, highlighting innovative companies addressing user concerns. Reed also delves into the shift towards API-first strategies and the importance of security architecture for startups. Finally, he touches on emerging opportunities in the identity market, driven by AI-related challenges.

CEO and Co-founder of Highnote, John Macllwaine, discusses the evolution of fintech infrastructure with a focus on Highnote's full-stack card issuance platform. Topics include the impact of marketplaces on brands, enabling brands to own customer experience and finance capabilities, and innovative financial solutions for business growth, such as consumer credit expansion and future growth opportunities in the FinTech sector.

Rujul Zaparde, Co-founder and CEO of Zip, shares insights into transforming the procurement landscape. He discusses how generative AI is revolutionizing workflows and reducing manual tasks. Rujul highlights the shift from centralized purchasing to a more decentralized approach, emphasizing efficiency in procurement processes. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the development of flexible no-code tools to meet diverse customer needs. Zip's focus on user-centric design and strategic innovations aims to simplify procurement for everyone.

Soups Ranjan, CEO of Sardine, discusses fraud prevention in online transactions, introducing Sardine's fraud detection algorithm, no-code rule builder, and all-in-one dashboard. They talk about the challenges of combating fraud with generative AI and the application of behavior biometrics. The discussion also addresses future risks, opportunities, and trends in the anti-fraud industry.

Suraj Patel, Head of MongoDB Ventures, discusses the transformative landscape of databases and generative AI. He highlights the growing gap between the demand for skilled developers and current education. Suraj dives into MongoDB's evolving business model, balancing open source with monetization. The conversation delves into emerging trends, like hybrid databases and natural language querying, as well as the challenges developers face with machine learning tools. His insights reveal how innovations in data management are paving the way for the future of technology.