# #003 - From scientist to entrepreneur for holodeck technology, evaluating startups, with Bernhard Petermeier of World Economic Forum, Switzerland

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/003.mp3

## Summary

Bernhard Petermeier, founder of CargoSoul and community leader at the World Economic Forum, discusses his journey from scientist to entrepreneur. He details the development of an omnidirectional treadmill for virtual reality holodecks, the mistakes he made founding the company, and his current work evaluating high-potential startups. The conversation also covers funding strategies for hardware in Europe and the ethical implications of autonomous weapons.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=1) Introduction: Bernhard Petermeier and CargoSoul
- [3:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=188) The CargoSoul Omnidirectional Treadmill Concept
- [6:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=360) Founding Mistakes: Team, Buy-in, and Patents
- [16:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=981) Funding Hardware Startups in Europe
- [20:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=1219) Evaluating Startups at the World Economic Forum
- [31:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=1904) AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Weapons Ethics
- [38:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-003-from-scientist-to-entrepreneur-for-holodeck-technology-evaluating-startups-w#t=2290) Ultra-Rapid Fire Questions: Advice and Habits

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- CargoSoul (company)
- World Economic Forum (company)
- ABB (company)
- Kickstarter (company)
- Fitbit (company)
- GoPro (company)
- Google (company)
- Twitter (company)
- Dropbox (company)
- The Second Machine Age (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Russ Angold | Exoskeletons, VR Fitness, and Starting Hardware Companies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-02-17-russ-angold-exoskeletons-vr-fitness-and-starting-hardware-companies) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep. 39 - Starting a Hardware Company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2025-05-15-ep-39-starting-a-hardware-company) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [Tough Tech Vets Trailer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-22-tough-tech-vets-trailer) (Tough Tech Vets)
- [An Interview with Ben Einstein](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-06-an-interview-with-ben-einstein) (The Amp Hour)
- [CES 2019 Special: Stas Gayshan, CIC-Boston](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-01-16-ces-2019-special-stas-gayshan-cic-boston) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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