Pioneers

What if Spider-Man’s web were real? For Roberto Velozzi, founder and CEO of Spidey Tek, that question turned into a lifelong pursuit, and eventually, a business. What you’ll discover today… (02:10) The “aha moment” that turned science fiction into science fact (05:00) Early adopters and investors who believed before mass production (06:30) Scaling spider silk using an alfalfa-based production platform (11:40) Partnerships, fundraising, and the $5 million scale-up plan (18:00) The power of building the right team and leadership under pressure (18:50) Refugee roots, resilience, and redefining what “hard” really means (19:50) Advice for scientists and engineers building hard-tech startups (23:30) The five-floor elevator pitch that sums up Spidey Tek’s trillion-dollar potential More about the episode Originally from El Salvador, Roberto’s journey from comic-book fan to biotech innovator has been anything but ordinary. After decades of research, his team discovered how to produce spider silk proteins at scale—creating a material that’s stronger than steel, lighter than carbon fiber, and completely biodegradable. In this episode, Roberto shares how Spidey Tek went from lab experiment to a company attracting attention from aerospace giants, automotive manufacturers, and materials science firms across the world. With a production model built on alfalfa plants and partnerships that remove traditional manufacturing barriers, Spidey Tek stands at the edge of a sustainable-materials revolution. If you’re an investor, innovator, or anyone fascinated by nature-inspired technology, this conversation is a masterclass in turning impossible science into scalable impact. Connect with us Peng-Sang Cau LinkedIn Website Roberto Velozzi LinkedIn

What if your PhD side project could turn into a multimillion-dollar acquisition in just five years—without going through endless VC rounds? What you’ll discover… The crucial pivot that took Laser Depth Dynamics from medical imaging to manufacturing—and why it made all the difference How leveraging your university ecosystem can give you world-class R&D resources without the overhead Why empathy might be the most underrated skill for technical founders The role strategic partnerships played in landing Laser Depth Dynamics’ very first customer How to prepare your company for acquisition from day one Where to find it… (2:00) From PhD research into optical coherence tomography to a startup idea (5:15) The big pivot: starting a technology business (8:00) Using the university ecosystem to develop and test prototypes (9:40) Strategic partnerships with IPG Photonics and securing first customers (13:40) Building marketing assets that engineers often overlook (19:05) Understanding product-market fit in B2B hard tech (25:10) Finding and cultivating early adopter customers (28:15) Funding strategies without heavy VC involvement (46:32) Leadership styles and growth over time (50:15) Preparing for acquisition and knowing when to sell More about the episode Turning cutting-edge research into a viable, market-ready product is never easy—especially in hard tech, where the path from prototype to profitability is often long and capital-intensive. But Paul Webster, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager at IPG Photonics Canada, managed to do just that with Laser Depth Dynamics, the company he co-founded while finishing his PhD at Queen’s University. In this episode of Pioneers, host Peng-Sang Cau dives deep into Paul’s journey from academic research to successful acquisition. You’ll hear how he pivoted from medical imaging to manufacturing to shorten time-to-market, leveraged the resources of the university ecosystem to refine his prototype, and built strategic relationships—most notably with IPG Photonics—that fast-tracked his path to customers and growth. Paul also reveals how empathy, overbuilt hardware, and smart pricing decisions helped him win early adopters, how he avoided the common pitfalls of hard tech fundraising, and why preparing for acquisition starts on day one. For founders, investors, and innovators in deep tech, this episode offers a masterclass in turning research into a thriving business. Connect with us Peng-Sang Cau LinkedIn Website Paul Webster LinkedIn

What you’ll discover… How to build trust with customers before you’ve even built a product Lessons on raising $150M and convincing top-tier VCs like Sequoia and General Catalyst The emotional story that sparked Cobot’s mission inside a hospital hallway Why humanoid robots might not be the future and what should replace them Why swappable batteries, high-mounted sensors, and swerve drives make all the difference The founder’s journey: anxiety, ambition, and the power of embracing the Odyssey Where to find it… (02:35) Why Brad left a high-flying career to start something from scratch (06:10) Timing the AI and robotics wave (08:45) From Scale AI to Cobot: building the product he truly believed in (11:45) Identifying Real-world problems to be solved by your new start-up (19:45) Why top investors believed in him before a prototype even existed (27:00) Selling the vision before building the robot (32:45) MVP success, user feedback, and building trust with early adopters (40:00) What “everyday work” means for Brad and how Cobot improves lives (44:00) The next 10 years of robotics and physical AI (52:00) Brad’s proudest moment and how it ties back to a promise to his father More about the episode Before founding Cobot, Brad Porter held senior roles at Amazon, Scale AI, and even helped pioneer voice applications at Tellme and Netscape. But it was a walk with his father through the halls of Mayo Clinic that planted the seed for something radically new. In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Brad shares how a personal loss became a professional mission to build collaborative robots that enhance human work instead of replacing it. With over $150M raised in just three years and clients like the Mayo Clinic, Maersk, and the US Department of Defense, Brad has done what few in hard tech manage to do: build, fund, and deploy a real solution in record time. You’ll hear how digital twin technology and fast iteration allowed Cobot to deliver results before having a fully built prototype, and why design decisions like swappable batteries and swerve drives matter more than buzzwords. If you’re a founder, investor, or just fascinated by where robotics is headed, this episode delivers hard-won insights and inspiration in equal measure. Connect with us: Peng-Sang Cau LinkedIn Website Brad Porter LinkedIn

What does it take to build a company from nothing—and then start again to help others do the same? How do resilience, innovation, and leadership shape not just a business, but an entire life? In this unforgettable episode of Pioneers: The Siemens Startup Podcast, hosts Paul Musto and Jim Gernatt welcome Peng Cau, the newest member of the Siemens startup team. From surviving Cambodia’s killing fields to building and selling one of Canada’s premier automation companies, Peng’s journey is a masterclass in overcoming adversity, grit, leading with integrity, bold vision and execution. She shares powerful personal stories—escaping war, learning business from her parents, and launching Transformix from a basement with a $1,000 loan. Peng opens up about navigating racism, sexism, and strategic pivots, including the bold decisions that led to an eight-figure exit without venture capital. Listeners will hear why Peng never says "I've made it," and the leadership philosophy that drove her company's culture. Now, as part of Siemens, Peng brings her passion, startup experience, and bold energy to help new founders reach their dreams—and she's officially joining the podcast as a future host! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Surviving the Khmer Rouge: How Peng’s early life taught her resilience and adaptability (2:20), the same skills needed to build deeptech company. Entrepreneurship Lessons: Building a company with nothing but grit and loyalty (6:15) Starting Transformix: From a basement and cold-calling manufacturers to landing their first big contract (11:45) Facing Business Collapse: How Peng pivoted after losing 90% of her revenue (15:30) Never "Making It":  An entrepreneur’s mindset of constant growth (18:10) Leadership Philosophy: Integrity, Respect, Passion, and Innovation (19:35) The Bittersweet Reality of Acquisition: Letting go of her “first child” (24:20) The Investment Ecosystem in Canada vs. the U.S.: Challenges raising capital (26:55) Overcoming Sexism and Racism: Advice for underrepresented founders (30:20) Why Peng saw the Siemens Startup Program as a perfect next step (34:00) Connect with us: Paul Musto LinkedIn Website Peng Cau LinkedIn X

What if the shape of an aircraft could unlock 50% fuel savings and drastically cut carbon emissions? How can innovative startups challenge decades-old aviation designs to create a more sustainable, cost-efficient future? In this episode of the Siemens Startup Podcast, hosts Paul Musto (Siemens Digital Industries) and Tucker Marion (Northeastern University) sit down with Tim Berry, Head of Manufacturing, Quality & Integration at JetZero. With a background at SpaceX, VAST, and other aerospace pioneers, Tim shares how JetZero is breaking through 60 years of aviation stagnation with its blended wing body (BWB) aircraft—a revolutionary design that promises game-changing efficiency, sustainability, and improved passenger experience. This episode is perfect for startup founders, aerospace engineers, investors, and sustainability advocates looking to understand how game-changing innovation can disrupt a legacy industry. Whether you're interested in cutting-edge aircraft design, sustainable aviation, or the role of digital tools in manufacturing, you'll gain insights into how JetZero is tackling these challenges—from securing major partnerships with NASA and the U.S. Air Force to reimagining the future of air travel. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: JetZero’s goals and achievements and target market (2:00) Key technical challenges that JetZero is facing (9:15) How JetZero aims to improve the passenger experience (12:05) JetZero’s low-risk approach to producing revolutionary aircraft (18:20) How Siemens helps to accelerate JetZero’s development and manufacturing processes (24:30) JetZero and NASA’s partnership (27:25) Words of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs (29:40) The future of aviation and aircraft manufacturing (35:21) Connect with Paul Musto LinkedIn Website Connect with Tim Berry LinkedIn  Website Connect with Tucker Marion Website LinkedIn