Episode 448

448: Zinc Batteries, Rocket Science, & Reinvention, with Michael Burz of Enzinc

Published on: 24th February, 2022

Warning this is a 2-hour life course that you don't want to miss!

Queue it up and set aside the time. You will be rewarded

Ever meet someone and stand in awe of their genius? 

Well, have we got a show for you! 

This week’s episode features Michael Burz, CEO and Co-Founder of Enzinc, a green energy startup developing a revolutionary type of battery based on zinc. While most stories illustrate a slow and steady upward journey toward success, Michael’s story is one mind-blowing achievement after another. Get this: He’s pretty much a rocket scientist. Graduated with a masters in aerospace engineering and before becoming an entrepreneur, he designed cruise missiles, was part of Nissan’s Design Studio in the United States, where he worked on an eco-car for the Tokyo Auto Show and was program manager for Nissan’s all-carbon composite Group C car to race at Le Mans. He led the team that took a racecar from a blank page to the track in record time and under budget.

And that’s not all. Michael Burz is still at it. At present, he’s using his brilliance within the CleanTech industry to revolutionize energy storage through zinc anode batteries. We talked about his present work with Enzinc and the path that led him there, with key insights including:  

— How big transitions can sprout from small moments (as he shares the story of how a candid comment made towards him over dinner prompted his return back into designing and creating.)

— The how and why of the evolution of his entrepreneurial endeavor from electric vehicles to batteries (and how entrepreneurs can know when to pivot projects) 

— His ideology on building a highly efficient team (hint: invest more in people than technology) 

There’s honestly so much to share it feels impossible to condense it all here. But I can tell you this: you will not walk away from this episode the same. So tune in, or miss out!

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

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Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

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About the Podcast

SunCast
Your resource for developing a clean energy or climate tech career
Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy.

SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs.

SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Featuring over 600 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more.

You can watch SunCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunCastMedia

...or view the full archive of SunCast episodes here: https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes