Beyond Compliance: Quality Systems in MedTech

September 1st, 2025  |  Season 2  |  38 mins 47 secs

In this episode of The Hardtech Podcast, hosts DeAndre Harakas and Grant Chapman sit down with Ashkon Rasooli, founder and CEO of EnGenius Solutions, to explore the realities of building quality into medical devices. Ashkon shares insights from the No BS QMS manifesto, explaining how to design efficient quality management systems that improve outcomes without unnecessary bureaucracy.

From Startup to Amazon Supplier: The Modjoul Story with Founder Eric Martinez

July 28th, 2025  |  Season 2  |  48 mins 37 secs

Eric Martinez, CEO of Modjoul, joins us to share how his startup went from idea to landing Amazon as a client. We dive into the evolution of Modjoul’s workplace safety technology, the emotional weight of building products that protect people, and what it really takes to scale a hard-tech company in industrial environments.

Scaling the Connected World with John Grady of Ayla Networks

July 22nd, 2025  |  Season 2  |  42 mins 24 secs

In this episode, John Grady, CEO of Ayla Networks, joins the Glassboard team to explore what it takes to deliver seamless, scalable connected experiences. From smart home devices to emerging applications in medtech and industrial IoT, John shares lessons from supporting over 50 global brands and activating more than 13 million devices. The conversation dives into hardware-software integration, user experience design, and why the first 30 seconds of setup can make or break a product.

Backing Hardtech: A VC’s Perspective with Dipalo Ventures

July 14th, 2025  |  Season 2  |  46 mins 48 secs

In this episode of The Hardtech Podcast, hosts DeAndre Harakas and Grant Chapman sit down with Rafiq and Monica from Dipalo Ventures, a venture capital firm backing ambitious hard tech startups. They unpack the realities of investing in hardware: long timelines, capital intensity, and the critical role of early user validation. The conversation explores why community, patience, and deep technical conviction are essential for success in hard tech and how founders and funders can better align around the journey.

Navigating Project Management in Medical Devices

July 7th, 2025  |  Season 2  |  54 mins 13 secs

healthcare innovation, healthcare systems, keywords hard tech, light therapy, medical devices, podcast, project management, reperfusion injury, technology transfer, waddell group

In this episode of The Hardtech podcast, the hosts discuss the unique challenges and innovations in the medical device industry with the Waddell Group. They explore the importance of project management in bringing medical devices to market, the specific challenges faced in healthcare systems, and the innovative use of light therapy to address reperfusion injury. The conversation highlights the need for effective project management, the complexities of healthcare systems, and the opportunities for innovation in medical technology.

From Zambia to Zipp and the Future of Mobility with Andy Ording

June 30th, 2025  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 2 mins

In this episode of The Hardtech Podcast, Andy Ording, former CEO of Zipp Wheels and co-founder of Fundraiser Capital, shares his journey from building one of the most iconic brands in cycling to investing in the future of micromobility. The conversation explores the challenges of scaling hardtech, the grit required to survive near failure, and the importance of people over technology in both startups and venture investing.

The Future of AI in Engineering with Troy Kelly

June 23rd, 2025  |  Season 2  |  44 mins 21 secs

In this episode of The Hardtech Podcast, the hosts discuss the evolution of AI in software development and its implications for engineering. They explore the importance of proper prompting, the role of AI in enhancing junior developers' learning, and the security challenges posed by AI technologies. The conversation also touches on building successful service businesses and the future of AI in engineering, emphasizing the need for quality and delivery in a competitive landscape.

The Intersection of Sports and Technology with HOOPTEQ

June 16th, 2025  |  Season 2  |  49 mins 58 secs

hard tech, hardtech, hardtechpod, hardtechpodcast, thehardtechpodcast

In this episode of The Hardtech Podcast, we speak with Eric Roberson, founder and CEO of HOOPTEQ, about the innovative basketball training technology designed to make elite training accessible to youth athletes.