Yi Chao and The Story of Seatrec: Developing Ocean Tech for a Sustainable Future
- E1
- 15:32
- April 15th 2024
In this episode of Founders Way, Yi Chao, the founder of Seatrec, shares his journey from working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab to starting his own company. Yi discusses the development of Seatrec's underwater robotic system, designed to collect ocean data using clean and renewable energy. He highlights the challenges of commercializing deep tech innovations, the importance of identifying a market need, and the company's progress in developing a market-fit product. Yi also emphasizes the role of early adopters, supply chain management during COVID, and the significance of assembling a dedicated team. Additionally, he talks about Seatrec's contribution to climate change solutions through their technology, which replaces diesel-powered data collection with an environmentally friendly alternative. This episode offers insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of persistence, and the impact of innovative technology on environmental conservation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Founders Way: Introducing Yi Chao
00:33 The Genesis of Seatrec: From NASA to Startup
01:42 The Leap of Faith: Transitioning from JPL to Entrepreneurship
03:48 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Milestones
06:45 Navigating the Sales and Market Fit Landscape
11:09 Building a Strong Team and Cultivating Early Adopters
14:19 Seatrec's Environmental Mission: Saving the Oceans
15:55 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward
The Founders Way Podcast
Welcome to The Founders Way Podcast, presented by Sunstone Management.
This show is dedicated to providing stimulating, insightful discussions about the realities of being a startup founder. We discuss with founders themselves the realities of launching, growing, and running a successful startup. Our mission with this show is not just to entertain, but to inspire and provide actionable insights for our listeners. Whether they're budding entrepreneurs looking to get in the game, well-established entrepreneurs seeking to learn from the journeys of other founders, or investors interested in gaining insights into diverse founder journeys.
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