# EMS@C-Level 2022 Season, episode 3 - Mike Konrad on Thirty Years of Aqueous Technologies

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2022-05-18
- Length: 44m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol

## Summary

Mike Konrad, founder of Aqueous Technologies, recounts the 30-year journey of building a company focused on aqueous cleaning for the electronics industry. He details the transition from solvent-based cleaning due to the Montreal Protocol, the initial development of his first machine while employed, and the subsequent lawsuit from his former employer. Konrad also discusses the strategic pivot to zero-discharge technology, the lessons learned about ego and growth, and the shift from traditional advertising to industry education.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol#t=8) The Origin Story and First Machine
- [8:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol#t=485) Leaving Employment and the Lawsuit
- [12:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol#t=738) Early Years and Financial Strategy
- [17:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol#t=1052) The Role of Ego and Risk in Entrepreneurship
- [26:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol#t=1583) Strategic Milestones: Zero Discharge and Education
- [39:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-05-18-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-3-mike-konrad-on-thirty-years-of-aqueous-technol#t=2346) Current Market and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Aqueous Technologies (company)
- Montreal Protocol (other)
- Nepcon West (other)
- Koh Young (company)
- CloudNC (company)
- SMTA (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Keeping Microplastics Out of Nature: A Discussion with Adam Root, Founder of Matter.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-03-28-keeping-microplastics-out-of-nature-a-discussion-with-adam-root-founder-of-matte) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [method: Adam Lowry & Eric Ryan (2018)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018) (How I Built This)
- [Seventh Generation: Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-25-seventh-generation-alan-newman-and-jeffrey-hollender) (How I Built This)
- [An Interview with Scott Miller (2nd)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-07-22-an-interview-with-scott-miller-2nd) (The Amp Hour)
- [Sweetwater: Chuck Surack. How a Customer Service Strategy Built a Billion Dollar Online Pro Audio and Music Company.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-27-sweetwater-chuck-surack-how-a-customer-service-strategy-built-a-billion-dollar-o) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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