# A biometric smart gun with Kai Kloepfer of Biofire

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-10-05
- Length: 36m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire

## Summary

Kai Kloepfer, founder and CEO of Biofire, explains how he spent over a decade developing the world’s first biometric smart handgun to reduce accidental deaths and suicides. He details the technical pivot from unreliable mechanical inhibitors to a novel 'fire-by-wire' electronic firing system that unlocks in microseconds via fingerprint or facial recognition. Kloepfer discusses the challenges of fundraising for deep-tech hardware in a controversial industry, the company's $30 million raise, and the strategy of targeting entry-level home defense buyers who prioritize safety over enthusiast features.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=0) Introduction: Kai Kloepfer and Biofire's Mission
- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=134) Origin Story: From Aurora Shooting to Science Fair
- [7:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=438) Early Prototyping: The Glock 22 Proof of Concept
- [10:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=605) Why Previous Smart Guns Failed: Reliability and Politics
- [17:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=1049) Target Market: Entry-Level Home Defense Buyers
- [19:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=1146) Technology Deep Dive: Biometrics and Fire-by-Wire
- [22:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=1344) Privacy and Security: Air-Gapped Local Storage
- [30:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=1820) Fundraising Challenges and Venture Capital
- [33:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-05-a-biometric-smart-gun-with-kai-kloepfer-of-biofire#t=2010) Manufacturing, Pricing, and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Biofire (company)
- Glock (product)
- Smith and Wesson (company)
- NRA (company)
- Intel International Science Fair (other)
- Smart Tech Challengers Foundation (company)
- Mercury (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Founders Fund (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Rivian (company)

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## Citing this page

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