Coffee with a Founder Podcast: Charles Chiau, Bedrock Ocean

08- Jan-2026

On this episode of Coffee with a Founder, host Beck Bamberger sits down with Charles Chiau, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Ocean Exploration.

Charles shares the moment that changed everything: getting lost while piloting a human-occupied submarine and realizing firsthand how dangerously unmapped our oceans really are. With more than 99% of the seafloor still a blur, he explains how this blind spot threatens global infrastructure, from internet cables to energy pipelines.

show notes:

04:39 - Slow change in mineral refining

08:37 - Unusual path to rocks

13:39 - Mining, materials, and modern life

14:58 - Geopolitics of mineral refining

17:09 - Rock Zero’s ‘rock soup’ innovation

Read More About The Episode:

00:19 - Introduction to mapping the ocean
Beck Bamberger sets up the conversation with Charles Chiau and introduces the idea of mapping the mysterious ocean floor, framing Bedrock Ocean’s goal as creating a “Google Ocean.”

01:05 - Why ocean exploration matters
Charles Chiau explains the essential role the ocean plays in global infrastructure, resources, and the need for detailed mapping to guide sustainable growth.

03:30 - How underwater robots work
The discussion turns to Bedrock Ocean’s autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs); Charles Chiau describes their “Roomba-like” operations and the technical challenges of GPS-free mapping.

05:25 - Who needs ocean surveys
The hosts discuss who uses seafloor survey data—governments, industry, and more—and explore what these detailed surveys help uncover beneath the surface.

07:03 - Discovering the unknown
Charles shares stories from his time piloting submarines, illustrating how little is known about the ocean’s depths and why better maps are urgently needed.

13:08 - Business lessons from the deep
Charles reflects on expanding Bedrock Ocean globally, working with foreign navies, and the realization that connecting technology to real business needs is critical for lasting impact.