Challengers – Freethink

Running a startup is hard. Disrupting an entire industry is almost impossible. Crippling anxiety, sleepless nights, and almost certain failure…is it all worth it for a shot at changing the world?

This is a show about the founders that believe the hardest things are worth doing. That thinking differently is a way of life. And that pushing forward is always the answer. Roll up your sleeves and let’s find out what’s really driving today’s entrepreneurs to shape our future. These are the CHALLENGERS.

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Can AI solve our biggest problems?

Vicarious believes smart machines could solve virtually every problem humans can’t.

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All Episodes (35)

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The dawn of battery-powered urban flight

Electric engine, nearly silent, and ready for passengers by 2025. But are we ready?

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Sniper robot treats 500k plants per hour with 95% less chemicals

This “intelligent sharpshooter” farming robot distinguishes crops from weeds — and it could help feed 10 billion people.

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Building a Mach-5 engine for hypersonic passenger flight

Hermeus is building the world's fastest commercial aircraft. And we got to tour their hypersonic flight lab.

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Can this invention fix dirty transportation?

Rather than replacing all semi-trucks on the road, this clip-on device filters 80% of each trucks’ CO2.

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The new vehicle challenging cars, bikes and Uber

This scooter is taking cities back from cars. The crazy part? You unlock it with an NFT.

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Hacking evolution to grow super coral

Coral reefs sustain life for 1 billion people around the world, but 90% will be extinct by 2050 if we don’t find a solution now.

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The first wave of urban robots is here

The robot takeover is here — and it’s kinda cute.

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Mind-reading technology – Are we ready for it?

Startup founders want to read your brainwaves - but how will they protect your data from tech giants?

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At-home ketamine therapy — are you ready?

Will this at home “tripping kit” change mental health forever?

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The man building robotic legs for kids with cerebral palsy

The medical industry wasn’t moving fast enough. So he built a robot to help his nephew with cerebral palsy walk.

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Homebuilding is broken. Can this startup build stunning, custom homes for everyone?

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Can robots save our oceans from poachers?

23% of fish sold in the US is caught illegally. This robot boat is a poacher’s worst nightmare.

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Frozen out of homeownership, millennials explore co-buying

Nuclear families are no longer the norm. This family business is helping homeownership adapt.

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The startup taking down corrupt prison communications to keep families connected

This scrappy startup founder wants to take down for-profit prison communications. And he’s backed by Twitter’s Jack Dorsey and former Google Chief Eric Schmidt.

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Shipping is broken. Flexport’s CEO has a plan to fix the supply chain.

Supply chains are collapsing under pressure. Can new technology make them resilient?

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How Brian Armstrong built Coinbase, America’s largest cryptocurrency exchange

No one took him seriously. Now, his company stores more than $90 billion dollars in assets. Here’s how Brian Armstrong rode a cryptocurrency tsunami to the forefront of a financial revolution.

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Aquaponic shipping containers: The future of food?

Imagine growing fish and vegetables in a shipping container in your closest parking spot.

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This DIY laptop is challenging tech giants like Apple & Microsoft

Disposable tech is part of big tech’s business model. This engineer is fighting back by creating a DIY laptop anyone can repair on their own.

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This Gen-Z CEO is taking on the $20 billion tampon industry

Rehab, re-centering, and rebirth: it’s the true story of a Gen Z CEO who wanted to spearhead a movement for better period care.

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The plant-based startup taking on food giants

Kelp is a superfood that’s grown totally sustainable. But will people be willing to replace burgers with seaweed?

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26-year-old builds $8,000 mind-controlled bionic arms

Bionic arms used to cost $80,000. Now, a young engineer has lowered the cost by over 90%.

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The startup turning human ashes into diamonds

By turning ashes into diamonds, Eterneva is creating a new way to carry the memory of our loved ones with us long after their death.

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Disrupting the business of dying

Ever Loved is modernizing the funeral planning process with an all-in-one platform akin to “The Knot” for weddings, so that people can focus on honoring their loved ones.

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The driverless future of construction robotics

Innovation in the construction industry has been stagnant for decades, but the use of construction robotics could radically alter the way we build.

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Air Jordan designer’s lessons for startups

While there have been an array of challenges for startups during COVID-19, Jason Mayden is preparing for long-term success in a post-pandemic world.

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This carbon-negative dream house ships in a box

A startup described as the “IKEA of houses” is determined to make beautifully-designed, energy efficient homes affordable for everyone.

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This virtual world could be the next Fortnite

This virtual universe has already captured the interest of thousands of gamers and it stands to make a positive impact in the gaming industry as a whole.

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Preschool is broken. Silicon Valley is fixing the system.

Wonderschool is empowering educators to offer affordable, private preschool classes from their homes, making early childhood education more accessible to every child.

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Healthy fast food start up takes on the McDonald’s empire

This LA-based business wants to radically alter the fast food industry by selling healthy fast food at the same low cost as competitors like McDonald’s.

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How VR could change your life

Virtual reality could alter the human experience forever.

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Building a better school system

A highly-personalized experience could be the foundation for the future of education.

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Powering the world with nuclear

Transatomic believes they've figured out a safe, scalable, cost-effective way to power the world with nuclear.

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Can AI solve our biggest problems?

Vicarious believes smart machines could solve virtually every problem humans can’t.

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An app for global trade

Flexport thinks bringing trade into the 21st century could improve lives around the globe.

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Challengers trailer

Fast Company presents a Freethink original series about entrepreneurs building companies that could transform entire industries and change the world.