5YF Episode #9: R-Zero Systems co-founder Ben Boyer

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COVID highlighted how vulnerable our global population is to the spread of viruses. Thankfully innovation leveraging ultra-violet light waves that disinfect our environments is ushering in a new chapter in biosecurity and hygiene. Lightbulbs of tomorrow will disinfect rooms, sensors will pick up biosecurity threats, buildings will be free of disease and far more productive. The technology will secure our schools, hospitals, boarders and even spacecrafts. Improvements in cost and safety is seeing a rollout at an increasing pace with pioneers like R-Zero Systems leading the way.

There is no pathogen on the face of the earth that has any resistance to UV-C light

What you’ll hear:‍

⚡️ Using light waves to disinfect our environments

😷 Masks made of light for the next pandemic

🏥 Sensor and data rich healthy buildings to enhance our productivity

👾 Room risk modeling for the insurance industry

🦠 Securing biosecurity at our boarders

♾️ And plenty more!

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We've created a risk model that scores a building space...and the probability of spread

Our guest:

Ben Boyer is co-founder of R-Zero Systems, who builds autonomous systems that disinfect indoor environments using UV light. Founded in response to COVID RZero has become a leader leveraging light, sensors, and data to keep our environments safe from disease — deploying their technology in hospitals, schools, offices and with the government. This year they raised over $100M from the likes of Qualcomm, Mayo Clinic and Upfront Ventures. In addition to Rzero, Ben is co-founder of Tenaya Capital, a growth stage venture firm with over $1.5B AUM backing technology companies such as Lyft, Kayak and PlanGrid amongst others.

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Those that make an investment in health can charge a premium for their building leases

My takeaway:

Light is such an elegant approach to solving the increasingly prevalent threat of disease and pandemic. As it becomes increasingly safe and affordable to roll out to all indoor spaces, we will see fewer sick days and higher productivity in our schools, offices, and hospitals. Healthier buildings will become sought after assets by businesses and their employees, leaving those who don’t adapt behind. We’re only at the start of seeing this innovation become widespread yet the timing of its roll out is prescient.

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- Daniel Darling