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#Ecosysteming Podcast

Episode 44

The 25,000 Jobs Hiding in Plain Sight w/ Doug Speight | Ep. 44

Can we destroy PFAS forever chemicals before they reach our drinking water? Doug Speight believes we can.

Doug is the CEO of AxNano, a five time technology startup founder, and an experienced innovation commercialization leader who has worked with universities, NASA, and Department of Energy research labs. He joins host Thom Ruhe to explain how AxNano is using supercritical water oxidation to destroy PFAS and other toxic industrial chemicals at the source.

They also discuss why founders are the real job creators, how behavioral bias shapes venture capital, why conventional economic development incentives often fall short, and why NCInnovation matters to North Carolina’s entrepreneurial future.

Doug Speight

FEATURED GUEST

Doug Speight, CEO

Doug Speight is the CEO of AxNano, a climate technology company developing industrial solutions to capture and destroy PFAS ("forever chemicals") and other hazardous waste. A five time tech founder, he has built startups across engineering, advanced materials, additive manufacturing, fintech, and enterprise software. He has also led technology commercialization efforts at universities, NASA, and the Department of Energy, served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Google for Startups, CODE2040, and GIGTANK, and currently serves on the boards of four early stage companies. He earned his bachelor's degree from North Carolina A&T State University and an MBA from UNC Kenan Flagler Business School.

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