In this episode of Machine Minds, I sat down with Aleks Gampel, co-founder of Cuby, to explore the future of construction technology and how his company is redefining the industry. Aleks and his co-founder, Oleg, have built a mobile micro-factory system that tackles major challenges like skilled labor shortages and high costs in the construction sector.

Cuby's innovative approach brings manufacturing efficiency to home building, creating a decentralized solution that allows for quick, on-site construction. We discussed everything from Aleks’s unconventional journey into construction technology, the scalability of Cuby’s micro-factories, and how they’re minimizing waste to make home-building more sustainable.

Whether you’re in real estate, tech, or just curious about the intersection of industry and innovation, you won’t want to miss this episode. Listen in to hear how Aleks and Cuby are building the future of housing, one mobile micro-factory at a time.

Cuby - The House Factory Factory:
https://www.notboring.co/p/cuby-the-house-factory-factory


More about our guest:
linkedin.com/in/iamaleksandrgampel
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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of Machine Minds, I talk with Russ d'Sa, the founder and CEO of LiveKit. LiveKit started as an open-source project and has grown into an important tool that helps developers and companies build apps for real-time audio and video streaming.

Russ shares his story of founding multiple startups and how he ended up building LiveKit. He explains how the technology works, why it’s unique, and how it’s helping industries like healthcare and emergency services stay connected with low-latency and scalable infrastructure.

We also discuss the future of real-time technology, how it connects with AI, and what it means for human-computer interactions. Russ has a clear vision for how this kind of tech will shape the future, and it's exciting to hear his thoughts on where things are headed.

If you're interested in tech, communication, or how we’ll interact with technology in the future, you'll want to check out this episode.


More about our guest:
linkedin.com/in/russelldsa/

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of Machine Minds, host Greg sits down with Brian Wei, an associate at BMW I Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in purpose-driven entrepreneurs building high-performance companies. Brian shares his fascinating journey, from growing up in an immigrant household in Brooklyn to studying statistics at Harvard.

He also delves into his early experiences in Japan working with a venture fund, which ignited his passion for the startup ecosystem. Throughout the conversation, Brian highlights his preference for working with early-stage companies and discusses his current role at BMW I Ventures, where he manages the investment process, including due diligence and negotiations. He offers valuable insights into the firm’s investment philosophy, which revolves around experimentation, conviction, and strong partnerships with entrepreneurs.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on venture capital, startup growth, and the evolving world of high-performance businesses.

01:19 Brian’s journey.

04:10 What drew Brian into industrial automation?

05:12 Key experiences.

09:15 Insights on the current trends in the AI and robotics space.

12:30 Startup valuation.

15:45 Common pitfalls that entrepreneurs encounter when pitching to investors.

20:00 Recent investment that you are excited about and why?

25:10 Role of AI in the next few years?

30:00 Advice to someone looking to break into the venture capital space?

35:20 Biggest misconception regarding working in venture capital.

More about BMW I ventures

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-i-ventures/

https://www.bmwiventures.com/

More about our guest

https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-wei/

Machine Minds:

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x...

Google Podcast:

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

YouTube: / @machinemindsshow

Let’s connect on social media:

IG:

In this episode I sit down with Nick Hegeman, co-founder and CEO of PaintJet, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in building a startup in the hard tech and construction space. Nick shares his journey from engineering student to franchise owner to founding PaintJet, a company revolutionizing the way large-scale surfaces are painted using robotics.

We explore the realities of a labor shortage in construction, why Nick deliberately chose a practice-run business before launching PaintJet, and how PaintJet's technology reduces waste, improves safety, and increases precision in industrial painting. Nick also dives into the importance of building a strong team, maintaining a growth mindset, and creating a business model that both scales and generates positive cash flow in a challenging market.

This episode is full of valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those looking to break into the hardware and robotics space.

Timestamps:

[02:30] Nick's journey from engineering to entrepreneurship
[06:45] The origins of Paintjet and addressing the labor shortage
[12:00] Assembling the founding team and early challenges
[16:50] Paintjet’s unique business model and customer demand
[22:15] The robotics and technology behind Paintjet
[28:00] Improving safety, reducing waste, and increasing efficiency
[32:40] The importance of hiring the right people for growth
[36:50] Innovations in real-time quality control and the future of Paintjet
[41:30] Addressing concerns about robotics replacing manual jobs
[45:00] Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in hard tech and robotics

More about our guest:
linkedin.com/in/nickhegeman/

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of Machine Minds, we sit down with Tai Nicolopoulos, VP of Marketing at Beewise, a groundbreaking company on a mission to stop and reverse the global bee-collapse. Using cutting-edge precision robotics, AI/ML, and IoT technology, Beewise is creating the Bee Home—a revolutionary device that prioritizes bees’ health and natural habitat over the outdated, human-designed hives from the past.
Join us as we explore Beewise’s foundation story, how their mission aims to assist commercial beekeepers in pollination and honey production while helping #savethebees. Tai also shares insights into the risks facing the global bee population, her academic journey with a master’s from Stanford, and valuable advice for those looking to enter the world of marketing. Tune in to learn how Beewise is using technology to give bees a healthier, more productive way of living, and how their innovations are reshaping modern agriculture.

00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction
01:45 Tai’s journey
04:40 What brings you closer to marketing?
08:44 Company foundation and mission
12:58 Exploring automation
14:25 How does the technology align with the mission?
16:20 What is affecting bee numbers?
20:53 Tai’s role
30:40 Recruiting process
35:36 What’s next for Beewise?
39:40 Advices for the world of marketing

More about Beewise
https://www.linkedin.com/company/beewisetech/
https://beewise.ag/home



More about our guest
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tainicolopoulos/

Machine Minds:
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x...
Google Podcast:
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
YouTube: / @machinemindsshow
Let’s connect on social media:
IG: / machinemindsshow
LinkedIn: / gregtoroosian

In this episode of Machine Minds, I sit down with Micah Green, founder and CEO of Tailos, to explore how his company is addressing the ongoing labor crisis in hospitality through robotics. Micah shares his journey from building robots in his dorm room to creating groundbreaking automation technology that’s now being deployed across the globe.

We dive into the challenges and successes Micah has faced along the way, including raising funds as a first-time founder, scaling internationally, and building a company that prioritizes both innovation and user experience. We also discuss the future of robotics in the hospitality industry, the impact of automation on labor, and the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs.

This episode is packed with valuable insights into what it takes to build and scale a robotics company while navigating the complexities of the labor market and technological innovation.

Timestamps:

[02:15] The early days of Tailos: Building a robotics company in college
[07:30] How the product evolved to meet the labor challenges in hospitality
[12:50] Overcoming early setbacks and fundraising hurdles
[18:45] The moment Micah realized Tailos had the potential to be something big
[22:30] Building the right team and evolving the company culture
[28:15] Tailos’ approach to user experience and why it sets them apart
[33:10] Tackling concerns about automation and its impact on jobs
[38:00] Exciting trends in robotics and the vision for interconnected ecosystems
[44:30] Expanding globally and supporting customers in 12 countries
[50:00] Micah’s advice for founders: The importance of self-care and relentless perseverance


More about our guest:
linkedin.com/in/micahgreen7

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this exciting episode of Machine Minds, we sit down with Alexander Lavin, founder and CEO of Pasteur Labs & ISI (Institute for Simulation Intelligence), a company revolutionizing the scientific method for the machine age. We explore Alexander’s journey from his early days as an engineering student to obtaining his Master’s at Duke and Carnegie Mellon University.

Alexander shares insights into his company’s groundbreaking work, his experience as a CEO, and his desire to lead again after his current role. We also dive into future projects on the horizon for Pasteur Labs, and discuss his role as an AI advisor for NASA.

Tune in to learn about the vision driving Pasteur Labs & ISI and how Alexander is shaping the future of AI and machine intelligence!

Time Stamps

00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction

01:34 Alexander’s journey

08:10 Pasteur Labs & ISI

12:12 The vision behind Pasteur labs & ISI

19:49 Alexander's Period as CEO

26:22 Keeping a healthy work-life balance

31:12 Projects on the way and research initiatives

37:09 Recruiting and retaining the right team members

49:53 Advice for entrepreneurs

More about Pasteur Labs & ISI

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pasteur-isi/about/

http://simulation.science/

More about our guest

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-lavin/

Machine Minds:

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x...

Google Podcast:

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

YouTube: / @machinemindsshow

Let’s connect on social media:

IG: / machinemindsshow

LinkedIn:

In this episode of Machine Minds, I sit down with Chris Edwards, CEO, and Mark Gagas, VP of Sensory Robotics, to explore how their cutting-edge safety technology is revolutionizing human-robot collaboration in industrial spaces. We discuss how Sensory Robotics is creating safer environments by allowing robots to work side-by-side with humans, without the need for fencing or compromising on safety.

Chris and Mark share their journey from an experimental VR boxing game to developing groundbreaking safety systems that are now gaining traction in major industries like manufacturing and hospitality. We also dive into how their technology is poised to disrupt the robotics industry by addressing critical safety concerns and improving efficiency in real-world applications.

This episode is packed with insights on robotics innovation, team building, and how startups can leverage partnerships to compete with industry giants.

Timestamps:

[02:20] What Sensory Robotics does and how they bridge the gap between humans and robots in industrial environments
[06:45] The journey from fun VR games to industrial safety robotics
[12:30] Founding story and Mark’s decision to join the company
[18:00] The importance of building a strong team and trust in a startup
[24:50] Key milestones and collaborations with major companies
[30:30] The competitive landscape in the robotics industry and how Sensory Robotics navigates it
[36:20] The future of robotics and AI: Trends in safety, humanoid robots, and factory automation
[43:00] Insights into balancing innovation and operational demands in a growing company
[49:15] Exciting trends and how Sensory Robotics is contributing to the future of the industry
[54:30] What’s next for Sensory Robotics



More about our guests:
linkedin.com/in/chris-edwards-b5982711

linkedin.com/in/markgagas

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian