On today's episode of Coffee with a Founder, Beck sits down with Shwetank Kumar, chief scientist at EnCharge AI, a Princeton spinout developing computing technology that could make AI up to 20 times more energy-efficient.
Fresh off the company’s $100 million Series B, Shwetank explains what it takes to transform groundbreaking university research into real-world hardware and why energy-efficient computing has become essential to AI’s future. He also shares his journey from a management-heavy fintech role back to hands-on technical problem-solving—and how rediscovering his flow state reignited his passion for his work.
The conversation also explores the power of a “won’t-do list,” the emotional cost of constant doomsday narratives, and why identifying world-changing problems means little without a plan to solve them. Whether you’re building a company, working in technology, or searching for greater clarity in your own career, this episode offers a candid look at innovation, focus, and meaningful action.