What connects high-thrust rocket propulsion with zero-emission industrial heat? On Episode 12 of the Throttle Up podcast, host Justin Starbird sits down with Franck Lahaye, Co-Founder and COO of Airthium, and Sascha Deri, Founder and CEO of bluShift Aerospace, to explore how hard-tech innovators navigate pivot points and scale breakthrough hardware.

Franck shares Airthium’s ambitious mission to tackle roughly 20% of global CO2 emissions by replacing fossil fuel boilers with high-efficiency, high-temperature heat pumps delivered through a zero-upfront-cost "Heat-as-a-Service" model.

Meanwhile, Sascha highlights bluShift’s strategic transition toward commercializing bio-derived hybrid rocket engines for hypersonic testing and suborbital payloads, proving that adaptability is a founder's strongest asset.

Together, they unpack real-world lessons from the hardware trenches: maintaining engineering agility, knowing when to pivot when physical reality challenges early assumptions, and leading lean, cross-functional teams toward commercial readiness.

They also discuss their community-driven growth via Wefunder equity crowdfunding and announce an upcoming joint live webinar on November 12th.

Tune in for a candid look at the grit, economics, and engineering required to build physical technology that changes industries!