#293 Ryan Nelson - Landing Google Pre-Launch
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-697fd00c-0624-8323-9f2c-43247d24b874-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-697fd00c-0624-8323-9f2c-43247d24b874-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-94" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Daniel is catching up with Ryan Nelson, founder of Refilled - the Australian hardware startup disrupting the global beverage industry with smart drink dispensers that eliminate single-use plastic waste. Ryan shares the brutal reality of building a hardware company from scratch: bootstrapping a prototype with duct tape and zip ties, landing Google before the product even existed, and scaling into companies like Netflix, Uber, Atlassian, and JP Morgan. Daniel and Ryan break down enterprise sales, raising capital, startup culture, and why hardware might be the next great opportunity founders are overlooking.