Electrifying the Skies: Nate Millecam’s Journey to Reinvent Aviation
“Movement and rapid decision-making are everything. You don’t always know if it’s the right call until you’re there, but you need to act, learn, and pivot quickly. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about moving forward with what you know.”
- Nate Millecam
Aerospace is on the brink of an electronic revolution, and at the forefront is Nate Millecam, Co-Founder & CEO of EP Systems. With a bold vision to electrify aviation and beyond, EP Systems has secured over $100M in funding and partnered with top names to make fully electric aircraft a reality.
We sit down with Nate to discuss his journey from a traditional aerospace giant to leading one of the most innovative startups in the industry. He shares his top advice on decision-making, scaling hard tech, and building an adaptable team culture.
Key Takeaways:
Stay Adaptable: Continuously evolve to meet new challenges. Growth requires acknowledging your weaknesses and being open to change. Reinventing yourself as needed is key to both personal and professional success.
Act Quickly and Learn: Use data to make decisions swiftly and take action without fear of imperfection. Progress comes from moving forward, learning from your results, and adjusting as needed. Embrace the power of iteration to stay ahead.
Build Trust and Strong Relationships: Cultivate open and honest communication. Genuine relationships and trust foster a supportive environment where people can challenge and inspire each other. This strengthens your team and personal network for long-term success.
Topics Covered:
00:00 The Shift to Electrification in Aviation
05:54 Nate's Journey from Honeywell to EPS
08:17 The Role of Government and Academia in Innovation
11:16 Navigating Product Strategy and Market Fit
14:20 Scaling Challenges in a Startup Environment
17:25 Balancing Speed and Safety in Hard Tech
20:03 Cultural Evolution and Leadership Growth
23:19 Future Directions and Customer Focus
27:32 New Chapter
28:36 Diverse Developments in Electric Aviation
32:26 The Future of Electric Aircraft
35:28 Rapid Decision-Making in Startups
40:25 Building the Right Team
43:28 Lessons Learned from Mistakes
48:23 Vision for the Future of Aviation
What insights did you find most impactful from Richard's interview? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on LinkedIn or X. Stay tuned for more interviews with industry leaders as we continue to unlock the secrets of success in the ever-evolving world of tech.
Richard Tame: LinkedIn | X
