Hardware Podcasts
Tough Tech Vets podcast cover art

Tough Tech Vets

Chris Ricks, a former submarine officer building small modular reactors, with veteran entrepreneurs solving hard problems at the intersection of hardware and software: energy, critical minerals and defence.

5 episodes · 3 hours · since 2024

Show likely ended
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Tough Tech Vets has likely ended: no new episode in over a year.

Its last episode came out on 10 Feb 2025. The whole back catalogue is still here to explore, every episode with its summary and chapters.

Tough Tech Vets is filed under startups, founder stories, hardware and interviews. Its most recent episode published on , so it sits in the archive rather than the active listings. Listeners have left 7 ratings on Apple Podcasts, averaging 5 out of 5.

Latest episodes

The 5 newest episodes of Tough Tech Vets, each with a summary and chapters.

  • · 47m

    From the Battlefield to the Supply Chain: A Marine’s Mission to Secure Critical Minerals with Ian Killough, President of Ridgeline Elements

    Ian Killough, President of Ridgeline Elements, explains how he transitioned from civil engineering to founding a company that secures critical minerals by processing cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He details the company's pivot to using electrochemical leaching technology developed with the Idaho National Laboratory to create a feed-agnostic, ethical supply chain that avoids the corruption and opacity of traditional Chinese-dominated markets. Killough discusses the challenges of feasibility studies, securing government support, and building an equitable local workforce in the DRC while establishing operations in Arkansas.

    Sourcing & supply chainMaterials & manufacturing processes
    8 chapters

  • · 39m

    Rethinking Contested Logistics with Austin Gray, Co-Founder of Blue Water Autonomy

    Austin Gray, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Blue Water Autonomy, discusses the company's development of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for contested logistics, drawing on his experience as a Navy Intelligence Officer and his time working in a drone factory in Ukraine. Gray argues that the US Navy needs a fleet of cheap, attritable vessels rather than relying solely on large, expensive ships, and highlights the critical need to improve the government feedback loop to accelerate the adoption of such technology by warfighters. He details the significant regulatory and operational hurdles of testing USVs in commercial harbors, such as Boston Harbor, and emphasizes that defense tech offers a rewarding career path for veterans who can leverage their unique credibility and understanding of national security needs.

    Starting a product companyPolicy, trade & tariffs
    12 chapters

  • · 47m

    The Unique Challenges of Global Power with Mike Gallagher, CEO of AMPS Advanced Modular Power Systems

    Mike Gallagher, CEO of AMPS (Advanced Modular Power Systems), explains how his team developed a grid-forming battery system to stabilize remote diesel generators in harsh environments like the Middle East. He details the transition from a garage prototype to early production, highlighting the use of EPC inverters and LG batteries, and the challenges of navigating international supply chains and UL certification. Gallagher discusses the strategic decision to lease units to oil companies in Oman and Iraq, proving the technology's value by reducing fuel consumption by 50% and improving uptime, while outlining plans for scaling production and expanding into markets like Alaska and Ecuador.

    Mechanical engineeringSourcing & supply chain
    10 chapters

  • · 45m

    Reimagining The Future of Aviation Training with Ted Slusher, founder & CEO of Silent Crown

    Ted Slusher, founder and CEO of Silent Crown, and former Air Force pilot, explains how his company is reshaping military aviation training by replacing outdated 'chair flying' methods with advanced synthetic simulation environments that build critical thinking. He details the transition from his 524 combat missions to entrepreneurship, highlighting the shift from rigid military structures to the agile, high-agency culture required for a startup. Slusher emphasizes that Silent Crown’s technology automates administrative burdens to reduce instructor burnout and allows aviators to focus on mission-specific scenarios, ultimately aiming to create a deterrent through superior readiness. The episode explores the intersection of hardware and software in defense tech, focusing on the business case for integrating simulation with operational efficiency.

    Starting a product companyMechanical engineering
    6 chapters

  • · 1m

    Tough Tech Vets Trailer

    Chris Ricks, a former Navy submarine officer and founder of Starcube, introduces his podcast 'Tough Tech Vets' to highlight veteran entrepreneurs working in complex hardware and software domains. He explains that Starcube is building microreactors for critical infrastructure, a 'tough tech' endeavor requiring massive capital and specialized customers unlike typical direct-to-consumer startups. The episode serves as an educational bridge for veterans navigating the unclear landscape of deep tech entrepreneurship.

    Starting a product companyEnergy & climate tech
    1 chapters

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