Coffee with a Founder Podcast: Ross Finman of Augmodo

30- Oct-2025

On this episode of Coffee with a Founder, Beck Bamberger sits down with Ross Finman, Founder and CEO of Augmodo.

From growing up on a llama farm in Idaho (yes, really!) to working at MIT, NASA, and SpaceX, Ross shares his journey to launching a retail-focused company using spatial AI and wearable technology to reinvent how stores operate.

show notes:

01:13 - Rethinking product market fit

04:53 - Grit from llama farming

09:00 - Augmodo’s retail solution

12:22 - Humans versus automation

14:41 - Scaling culture and teams

17:10 - Experience brings anxiety

Read More About The Episode:

01:13 - Rethinking product market fit
Ross reveals that achieving product-market fit is stressful and overwhelming rather than celebratory, and that unexpected scaling challenges arise.

04:53 - Grit from llama farming
Ross shares how growing up on a llama farm instilled resilience and humility, contrasting it with his tech journey.

09:00 - Ogmoto’s retail solution
The discussion covers Ogmoto’s wearable smart badges, which help retail associates track real-time shelf inventory and address key store problems.

12:22 - Humans versus automation
Ross explains why AI will augment, not replace, most retail roles for years to come and discusses balancing people and technology.

14:41 - Scaling culture and teams
Ross discusses how rapid growth changes communication and culture, emphasizing the importance of hiring and team structure.

17:10 - Experience brings anxiety
Ross reflects on how being a seasoned founder means knowing and anticipating more problems—bringing both insight and added pressure.