Innovation Endeavors was founded on the thesis of the Super Evolution: that technological advances across data, computation, and engineering would converge and translate into significant, fast changes for the world. We’ve seen this firsthand.

But more importantly, this era of innovation is made possible by people: changemakers working to revolutionize computing infrastructure, engineering health, climate, intelligent software, and the physical economy. This Super Evolution Leader series highlights the stories of these innovators and gives you a glimpse into how these entrepreneurs bring their work to light, what lessons they’ve learned along the way, and how they hope to change our world.

We hope their candid insights are helpful for anyone tackling meaningful problems and that their stories leave you feeling inspired.

For years, engineers wanting to build a part or contribute to a physical product had one choice: join a large company. Big organizations were the only places with the resources and factory connections to make a physical part a reality. There weren’t many options for young, agile, engineers who wanted to rapid prototype on a limited budget. These facts of life (or career) never sat right with co-founder and CEO of Machina Labs, Edward Mehr.

“Not having the freedom to turn your designs into reality really fast, without having the budget of SpaceX or Honda, was a big issue for me,” said Ed.

Meet Super Evolution driver Ed Mehr: Co-founder and CEO of Machina Labs

Machina Labs combines the latest advances in robotics and AI to revolutionize the centuries-old manufacturing industry and build the next generation of factories. Its technology enables rapid iteration and production in days (instead of conventional processes, which take months) to accelerate engineering and innovation.

“We are creating new manufacturing platforms that allow us to change operations and materials just through changes in software. Meaning that instead of changing your whole factory and the machinery and the tooling, we have one adaptable, agile manufacturing cell. So you can easily change the operations of the factory,” said Ed.

So, could an auto parts manufacturer truly switch over to an aerospace project if needed? Thanks to Machina Labs’s integrated software and agile facilities…yes.

“Think of how many different designs and ideas can become a reality. In a sense, you’re democratizing innovation in hardware products. Anybody with a good idea can test and manufacture their parts without having access to a lot of resources,” said Ed.

This increased opportunity for agile innovation is being noticed by more than just startups. Machina Labs was recently awarded $1.6 million by the U.S. Air Force to accelerate the development of its robotic technology — specifically for the manufacturing of metal tooling for high-rate production of composites. More and more organizations are moving toward agile manufacturing processes.

If you want to be an entrepreneur, start with a big problem

Edward’s commitment to building Machina Labs was born from personal experience. He was one of those software engineers at SpaceX who wanted to work on big physical products that would have a huge impact on our world. And he knew that for many other engineers, their options to test, prototype, and engage in agile manufacturing were limited.

“Having a big problem and a solution that will have a huge impact on it helps to excite people to join your mission, either as an investor or customer, or even an employee. My biggest advice would be to identify a big problem you really believe in. Make sure the problem is big, widespread, but you also believe in it, believe that problem needs to be solved,” Ed concluded.

Watch the video to learn more about Ed, the mission of Machina Labs, and the pervasive manufacturing problems it’s looking to solve.