Kevin Noertker, CEO & Co-Founder of Ampaire

In this episode we speak with Kevin Noertker, co-founder and CEO at Ampaire, about building hybrid electric aircraft and what it takes to turn a bold aviation vision into a product you can certify, deploy, and scale.Kevin explains how Ampaire began with an ambitious long-term view of fully electric flight, then narrowed to propulsion and onboard power as the practical path to market. He breaks down how founders de-risk big ideas, learn fast, and adapt when infrastructure, regulation, and real-world operations force hard trade-offs.The conversation also covers early personal sacrifices, how to manage downside risk, why PhD spinouts need customer pull, and how Ampaire defines culture through trusted, practical, compelling values. Kevin closes with a reflection on curiosity, motivation, and why he would choose dinner with Isaac Newton.The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.