What Happens to Solar Panels After They Die?

What Happens to Solar Panels After They Die?

On this episode of Coffee with a Founder, Beck Bamberger sits down with Connor Hogan, co-founder and CFO of OnePlanet Solar Recycling, a company helping tackle one of the renewable energy industry's growing challenges: solar panel recycling. The conversation explores why solar recycling is becoming a critical part of America's clean energy future, the policy and infrastructure shifts shaping the industry, and what it takes to build a mission-driven company in a rapidly evolving market. They also unpack the realities of scaling a cleantech startup amid political uncertainty, global manufacturing pressures, and the operational demands of building sustainable systems at scale.

Healthcare's Biggest Cybersecurity Blind Spot l Mike Kijewski, Medcrypt CEO

In this episode Coffee with a Founder, Beck Bamberger sits down with Mike Kijewski, CEO and co-founder of Medcrypt, to unpack one of healthcare's biggest blind spots: cybersecurity. From ransomware attacks disrupting hospital systems to the growing risks tied to connected medical devices, Mike shares what it takes to protect life-saving technology in an increasingly connected world. The conversation digs into the realities of building a mission-driven company at the intersection of healthcare, trust, and innovation, and why the stakes couldn't be higher. Mike also opens up about the founder journey itself: navigating uncertainty, staying grounded when outcomes shift, and building the kind of resilience that lasts longer than any headline or funding round. Grab your coffee and join us for an honest conversation about building with purpose, securing critical systems, and playing the long game when it comes to meaningful impact.

Why AI Safety Is the Problem No One Is Solving — Nick Payton, Distributional

On this episode of Coffee with a Founder, Beck Bamberger sits down with Nick Payton, co-founder and COO of Distributional, a startup focused on helping companies better understand, validate, and manage the growing complexity of AI systems. The conversation explores the evolving challenges surrounding AI safety, reliability, and trust as more businesses rush to integrate artificial intelligence into real-world products and workflows. They also dive into the realities of building in one of tech's fastest-moving spaces—from balancing instinct versus data to navigating uncertainty in a constantly shifting market. If you're interested in AI, emerging technology, and the human side of building ambitious companies in rapidly changing industries, don't miss this episode.

Why America's Water Systems Still Run on Pen & Paper

On this episode of Coffee with a Founder, Beck Bamberger sits down with Chris Sosnowski, CEO and founder of Waterly, a Chicago-based startup helping modernize the water and wastewater industry through people-first software built to replace outdated pen-and-paper systems. The conversation explores the growing challenges utilities are facing—from labor shortages and aging infrastructure to the urgent need for transparency, accurate reporting, and safer water systems. They also get into what it actually takes to build trust inside an industry that most people rarely think about until something goes wrong. They also unpack Waterly's unconventional pricing model, lessons from the startup rollercoaster, and why one of the most essential industries in the world is still massively underserved by modern technology. If you're interested in infrastructure, mission-driven startups, and how better systems can create healthier communities, don't miss this episode.

Voice AI Is Finally Getting Good | Brooke Hopkins, Coval

On this episode of Coffee with a Founder, Beck Bamberger sits down with Brooke Hopkins, co-founder and CEO of Coval, to talk about testing AI agents, the rise of voice as a platform, and what it takes to build at the edge of a fast-moving market.