Sam Cossman never set out to revolutionize firefighting—but that’s exactly what he did.

In this episode, recorded live at Capital Factory House 2025, Sam, CEO & Co-founder of Qwake, shares how his unconventional path as a volcano-diving adventurer led to building tools that help firefighters work smarter and safer.

Driven by necessity, forged through extreme field testing, and grounded in deep respect for tradition, Qwake created an AR-enabled helmet that’s transforming how first responders see and operate in the most dangerous conditions. From pioneering NASA-grade thermal systems to collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security, Qwake’s journey is a masterclass in building rugged, life-critical hardtech.

Tune in to hear what it really takes to engineer gear that survives the extremes—because when lives are on the line, failure isn’t an option.

Stay updated with the latest from Austinpreneur at www.capitalfactory.com/podcast