# T-25-008 : Justin McAfee - Mechanical Engineer to Hardware as a Service CEO

- Show: [TRADEOFFS](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs)
- Published: 2025-06-20
- Length: 59m
- Episode: 8
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo
- Listen: https://tradeoffs.fm/8

## Summary

Justin McAfee, founder of Wright One, discusses his journey from a failed firefighter grenade launcher project to building advanced electric propulsion systems in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He explains how high tariffs forced the onshoring of manufacturing for his modular CPU cooling fans, which serve cryptocurrency miners with a 'cooling as a service' model. McAfee details the technical architecture of his ducted electric turbines, designed to enable affordable flying cars, and shares his strategy for navigating hardware fundraising by focusing on investors who understand the long-term vision rather than the commodity nature of the initial product.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=0) Introduction: Justin McAfee and Wright One
- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=90) The Firefighter Grenade Launcher Failure and Documentation Lessons
- [9:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=598) Tariffs, Onshoring, and the 47.3% Cost Hit
- [13:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=820) Building Community and Ecosystem in Bridgeport
- [24:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=1490) Wright One's Modular CPU Cooling Fans for Crypto Miners
- [29:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=1799) Near-Death Aviation Experience and the Flying Car Vision
- [38:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=2284) Decentralized Electric Ducted Turbine Architecture
- [52:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-06-20-t-25-008-justin-mcafee-mechanical-engineer-to-hardware-as-a-service-ceo#t=3164) Fundraising Strategy: Ignoring 'Stupid' Investors

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Wright One (company)
- WrightFan (product)
- General Motors (company)
- Jeep (product)
- Chevy (product)
- GE (company)
- Pratt and Whitney (company)
- Rolls Royce (company)
- Bitmain (company)
- Joby Aviation (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Dyson (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 2 - The Hardware Story of Ethereal Machines w/ Kaushik Mudda | Building a Deep tech Mfg company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-story/2024-10-02-episode-2-the-hardware-story-of-ethereal-machines-w-kaushik-mudda-building-a-dee) (The Hardware Story)
- [275: Building a Brand New Manufacturing Company in the US with Andrew Johnson, Co-Founder of HeavyTech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-17-275-building-a-brand-new-manufacturing-company-in-the-us-with-andrew-johnson-co) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Climate Tech Innovations and Local Manufacturing for Global Impact with Laura Teicher of FORGE](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-08-01-climate-tech-innovations-and-local-manufacturing-for-global-impact-with-laura-te) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [For Hardware Startups by Hardware People: Building The Builder Circle with Host, Sera Evcimen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-06-for-hardware-startups-by-hardware-people-building-the-builder-circle-with-host-s) (The Builder Circle)
- [180: Hardware Startup Tips for Non-Technical Founders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-06-15-180-hardware-startup-tips-for-non-technical-founders) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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