In this episode of The Techne Connect, Paul Mikesell, Founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics, shares how his team is redefining agriculture through AI-driven robotics — from the laser-powered weeder eliminating the need for chemicals, to the autonomous tractor kit that converts standard machines into self-driving systems.

Paul reflects on his journey from scaling startups and leading AI development at Uber to building deep-tech solutions that tackle the world’s dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. He explores how focusing on ROI, team culture and genuine problem-solving has helped Carbon Robotics win the trust of farmers worldwide.

He discusses why agriculture is one of the most underrepresented yet high-impact frontiers for AI, the importance of understanding neural networks from the ground up, and why robotics will play a vital role in creating safer, more sustainable, and more abundant societies.

Thank you for listening to The Techne Connect Podcast - where we go behind the tech and ahead of the curve.

But we don’t just share stories, we help build them. At Techne Talent, we connect ambitious people with opportunities across the very industries we feature. If you’re inspired by what you hear, speak to us today about where your skills could take you.

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In this episode, we speak with Parsa Bakhtiari, Co-Founder of Feather Robotics, about his journey from helping launch the Tesla Model 3 to pioneering a new generation of affordable, deployable humanoid robots.

Parsa shares how his background as an Iranian immigrant shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, the lessons learned from working alongside Elon Musk, and the sacrifices required to turn an idea into a company that could redefine human–robot interaction.

Together, they explore the founding story behind Feather Robotics, the importance of choosing the right co-founder, and what it really takes to build a startup in one of the world’s most challenging industries — hardware.

From overcoming early failures and managing burnout to scaling production and hiring the right founding team, this conversation offers a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship and the vision behind a company aiming to “give people back their time.”

Thank you for listening to The Techne Connect Podcast - where we go behind the tech and ahead of the curve.

But we don’t just share stories, we help build them. At Techne Talent, we connect ambitious people with opportunities across the very industries we feature. If you’re inspired by what you hear, speak to us today about where your skills could take you.

👉 Don’t miss an episode: Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

📸 For behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram: @techne_talent

💼 Explore opportunities and connect with us on LinkedIn: Techne Talent

Inspire your future. Plug into what’s next.

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In this episode of The Techne Connect, Carl Dietrich, founder and CEO of Jump Aero, shares his journey from MIT to pioneering flying cars and now building eVTOL aircraft for emergency response. Carl reflects on lessons learned in aerospace entrepreneurship, the challenges of scaling advanced air mobility, and the vision behind Jump Aero’s mission to cut rural emergency response times in half. He also dives into perseverance, innovation, regulation, and the future of aviation as drones, autonomy, and eVTOL technologies transform mobility.

Thank you for listening to The Techne Connect Podcast - where we go behind the tech and ahead of the curve.

But we don’t just share stories, we help build them. At Techne Talent, we connect ambitious people with opportunities across the very industries we feature. If you’re inspired by what you hear, speak to us today about where your skills could take you.

👉 Don’t miss an episode: Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

📸 For behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram: @techne_talent

💼 Explore opportunities and connect with us on LinkedIn: Techne Talent

Inspire your future. Plug into what’s next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.