Founder Spotlight: R-Zero – Pioneering with 100+ Year Old Technology with Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Ben Boyer

“Every single one of our products has a very clear aesthetic that we care about. Our goal is to build things that people want to be around.” – Ben Boyer

Ben Boyer is Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of R-Zero, which designs hospital-grade disinfection solutions utilizing UV-C light. Ben is also Managing Director at Tenaya Capital, a leading early-growth stage venture capital firm. He has served on the board of numerous companies, including Smartling, TruSignal, and PlanGrid.

For more, explore the transcript of this episode.

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Topics discussed with Ben Boyer

• 00:02:24 – Why R-Zero was created
• 00:13:36 – The perfect time for UVC technology
• 00:16:13 – The challenges of selling in healthcare vs. schools
• 00:18:37 – Lab data vs. clinical data
• 00:21:13 – The R-Zero product line
• 00:26:38 – Hardware and software development at R-Zero
• 00:29:42 – Competitive advantages in the industry
• 00:36:00 – Utilizing the Internet of Things
• 00:39:47 – The investor role vs. the operator role
• 0045:22 – Important milestones for R-Zero

Ben Boyer Resources

• Connect with Ben Boyer: Twitter | LinkedIn | R-Zero | Tenaya Capital
• Niels Vyberg Finsen
• Dr. Richard Wade
• Blackstone
• Diamond Princess boat
• Xenex
• EcoFlow
• Eli Harris
• Nest
• Linus Lundberg

Terminology from this episode

• UVC (Ultraviolet-C) light.)
• HAI (Healthcare-Associated Infections)
• C. diff (clostridioides difficile)
• E. coli
• Salmonella
• R0 (R naught)
• HVAC
• HEPA filter
• IoT
• Far UV

Learn More About This Topic

UV Lights and Lamps

The FDA has put together a great guide to UV-C lights and their role in disinfection and slowing the spread of COVID.

‍Can light stop the coronavirus?

This 2020 TED Talk outlines how UVC can play a part in slowing the spread of coronavirus.

Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity by Joseph G. Allen and John D. Macomber
Ben recommends this book for a primer on making indoor spaces safer and healthier.

What is IoT?

Check this out for a full explanation of the Internet of Things and how it can be utilized.

5 interesting TED talks to watch to get to grips with IoT
For more on the Internet of Things, explore these TED Talks.