In this episode, Tony Sewell and Rob Ruyak engage with Lucy Hoag, founder and CEO of Violet Labs, a company focused on integrating software tools to enhance efficiency in hardware development. Lucy shares her journey from studying aerospace engineering to working at major tech companies like Google and Waymo, and ultimately founding Violet Labs out of frustration with existing software solutions. The conversation explores the challenges of starting a company, the importance of connectivity in hardware development, and the future vision for Violet Labs, including the potential of AI in engineering.

Referenced Articles:
The improbable story of the bra-maker who won the right to make astronaut spacesuits
Cerberus raised nearly $75M for its inaugural VC fund's first close

Violet Labs
https://www.violetlabs.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyhoag/

Space Insiders Team
Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
LinkedIn (Show): https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-insiders-show
LinkedIn (Tony): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonysewell1
LinkedIn (Rob): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-ruyak-4134a2/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

In this conversation, Jana Spruce (Managing Director, Spruce Consulting Group) shares her insights on the aerospace industry, discussing her career journey from engineering to consulting. She emphasizes the importance of understanding systems engineering, the role of technicians, and the differences between working in large companies versus startups. Jana also delves into the challenges of spacesuit technology, the significance of company culture, and how to influence it. She concludes with thoughts on emerging trends in engineering and advice for young professionals entering the field.

Jana Spruce
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sprucejana/

Space Insiders Team
Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
LinkedIn (Show): https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-insiders-show
LinkedIn (Tony): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonysewell1
LinkedIn (Rob): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-ruyak-4134a2/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

Summary
In this episode, hosts Tony Sewell and Rob Ruyak interview Laura Crabtree, CEO and co-founder of Epsilon 3, explore her journey in the space industry, her transition from SpaceX, and the challenges of software adoption in the sector. They discuss the impact of government contracts on innovation, the intricacies of building a business, and the importance of customer engagement. The conversation also touches on the significance of networking at conferences and personal aspirations outside of work.

Takeaways

• Laura Crabtree shares her transition from SpaceX to founding Epsilon 3.
• Software adoption in the space sector faces challenges due to security concerns.
• Government contracts significantly influence innovation in the aerospace industry.
• Building a business requires learning new skills beyond technical expertise.
• Industry jargon and acronyms can be overwhelming for newcomers.
• Understanding customer needs is crucial for successful engagement.
• Conferences serve as valuable networking opportunities in the space industry.
• The space industry is characterized by a collaborative and friendly atmosphere.
• Personal growth and learning new skills are important for professional development.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Journey
• 08:59 The Transition from SpaceX to Epsilon 3
• 12:03 Challenges in the Aerospace Software Landscape
• 15:04 Customer Adoption of Cloud vs. On-Prem Solutions
• 18:02 The Impact of Government Contracts on Business
• 20:45 Building a Business: Lessons Learned
• 23:57 Sales Strategies in the Aerospace Industry
• 26:44 Engaging with Customers and Demand Generation
• 29:52 The Value of Industry Conferences
• 33:00 Personal Aspirations Beyond Work

Epsilon3
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauracrabtree/
https://www.epsilon3.io/

Space Insiders Team
Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/space-insiders-show
YouTube: Coming Soon!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.