The Mr. Beacon Ambient IoT Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Jason Wu on $1 Bluetooth Beacons & Qualcomm’s RFID Chip for Phones Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

This week on the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Qualcomm’s new Dragon Wing Q6690 chip, bringing RFID to smartphones—a long-promised shift for auto-ID and IoT. We also speak with Jason Wu, CEO of InPlay, about the $1 Bluetooth beacon and how InPlay’s NanoBeacon technology lowers costs, simplifies deployment, and opens new markets from smart labels to cold chain monitoring. A timely look at IoT’s evolving economics and ecosystem.

Jason’s Favorite Song:

“Tian Mi Mi” by Teresa Teng: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc2tW0jFHPo&t=3s

Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of AmbAI Inc. — creators of AmbientGPT, the AI agent that connects people to products and the brands behind them. AmbAI also advises leading brands on Ambient Intelligence strategy.

Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

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Wiliot Gen 3: Scaling Ambient IoT Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we welcome back Amir Khoshniyati, Head of Strategy and Business Development at Wiliot. Amir shares insights on Gen 3 battery-free Bluetooth tags, why they’re a breakthrough for scaling ambient IoT, and how partnerships are key to success. We explore real-world use cases in retail, food, and logistics, plus Wiliot’s evolving ecosystem and vision for a connected, sustainable future.

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Battery-Free Sensors & the Future of IoT Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

This week on Mr. Beacon, we welcome back Giampaolo Marino of Energous to discuss the company’s new battery-free Bluetooth sensor and software platform, e-Compass. We’ll explore how ambient IoT is transforming cold chain, logistics, and asset tracking by reducing waste and cutting costs. From energy harvesting breakthroughs to defining what ambient IoT really means, this episode dives deep into the future of always-on visibility and the business opportunities it unlocks.

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Power from the Shadows: Dracula Technologies Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Jérôme Vernet, VP of Sales at Dracula Technologies, reveals how inkjet-printed organic photovoltaics harvest energy from ambient light—even indoors—to power IoT devices without batteries. From smart building sensors to asset trackers, learn how this customizable, sustainable technology reduces maintenance, improves design flexibility, and even works in moonlight, opening new possibilities for the ambient IoT revolution.

Jerome’s Top 3 Favorite Songs:

“Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ8ixdXRCOo
“My Lady Blue” by Eric Serra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWlqFFAQ4Vk
“Un Homme Heureux” by William Sheller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiZh-_Jlofk

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Smart Labels, Smarter Business with Adrich CEO Adhithi Aji Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Adhithi Aji, CEO of Adrich, shares how her company’s smart labels turn everyday products into connected devices that track usage and auto-replenish—no app needed. Discover how Adrich is driving ROI, sustainability, and consumer engagement through ambient IoT and AI. With 97% accuracy and real-world use cases from Clorox to olive oil, this is a conversation about technology, impact, and human resilience.

Adhithi’s Top 3 Favorite Songs:

“Waka Waka” by Shakira: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0
“It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9YyEeHSC4U
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv-pYB0Qw9A

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Failure to Funding: Sze Wong on Reinventing Venture Studios Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Sze Wong—Co-Founder of Zenith Venture Studio—shares his journey from startup failures to building a venture studio that offers more than just funding. Learn how Sze helps non-technical founders turn deep industry knowledge into successful businesses, why boring problems are big opportunities, and how hands-on support beats traditional VC models. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators alike.

Sze’s Top 3 Favorite Songs:

“Unknown” (Listen on the podcast to try and guess what song this is)
“I Believe” by Shin Seung Hun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNBnPvsufvk
“Tong Hua” by Michael Wong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBTmypxD2mU

Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of AmbAI Inc. — creators of AmbientGPT, the AI assistant that connects people to places, products and the brands behind them. For brands AmbientGPT represents a way to go beyond optimizing your business with AI to securing a place in the new AI purchasing paradigm.

Our sponsor Identiv’s https://www.identiv.com IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also proud to be sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let Your Product Talk: Digital Product Passports with Thomas Roedding Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

This week on the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Thomas Roedding, CEO of Narravero, unpacks the rise of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). We explore how DPPs drive compliance, sustainability, and customer engagement under EU regulations. Roedding shares Narravero’s hands-on work with over 200 clients and explains why DPPs are more than a legal necessity—they’re a powerful business tool. Learn how to let your products “talk” in a smarter, connected future.

Thomas’ Top 3 Favorite Songs:

“The River” by Bruce Springsteen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7BUXRsTbvI
“Bochum” by Herbert Grönemeyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvauzdH0fHY
“River Flows In You” by YIRUMA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92IlKBhKbWM

Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of AmbAI Inc. — creators of AmbAI, the AI agent that connects people to products and the brands behind them. AmbAI also advises leading brands on Ambient Intelligence strategy.

Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, who’s IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building the Future of IoT: Kirsten Newquist’s Vision for Identiv Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Kirsten Newquist, CEO of Identiv, shares her journey from Avery Dennison to leading one of the most innovative companies in IoT. Kirsten discusses Identiv’s unique engineering, new growth strategy, and their impact on healthcare and smart device solutions. She also highlights her values-driven leadership approach and offers personal insights on building resilient, purpose-led teams in a fast-evolving, connected world.

Kirsten’s Top 3 Favorite Songs:

“Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
“Lean On Me” by Bill Withers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ-MySzAac
“Rise Up” by Andra Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDffmI0ncfo

Our sponsor is Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building Better Startups: Inside the Venture Builder Mindset Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

This week on Mr. Beacon, Mark Jacobstein—Co-Founder of Near Horizon and former colleague of Sam Altman—joins us to unpack the evolving venture landscape. We discuss AI’s impact, fundraising challenges, and how his venture builder model helps startups go from idea to execution. Mark shares personal lessons from Silicon Valley, career advice for the next generation, and why staying curious is key. A sharp, insightful conversation for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone navigating tech’s rapid shifts.

Mark’s Top 3 Favorite Songs:

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z_41J-uKPI
“The Wheels On The Bus”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_04ZrNroTo
“Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2X0Gf9jfz8

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revolutionizing Seafood: Traceability, Transparency, and Tech with Donna Lanzetta May 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Donna Lanzetta—CEO of Manna Fish Farms and Manna Seafood Blockchain—shares her journey from attorney to aquaculture pioneer. Discover how she’s building offshore fish farms, fighting seafood fraud with blockchain, and creating a transparent, sustainable supply chain. From ocean to plate, Donna’s tech-driven, vertically integrated approach empowers consumers and supports ethical sourcing. Tune in to explore the future of seafood, digital traceability, and how small businesses can drive big change.

Donna’s Top 3 Favorite Songs: