Diverse Tech Founders Media

Diverse Tech Founders - Dr. Jalaal Hayes

The automobile business is undergoing significant transformation due to technology's rapid advancement. Additionally, clean energy technology is a matter of discussion today.

This week on the Diverse Tech Founders podcast, we talk to Dr. Jalaal Hayes, a STEM speaker, entrepreneur, and research chemist focusing on hydrogen energy storage and production—a renewable energy technology.

Jalaal is the founder of Elyte Energy, a research and development-focused clean energy technology company. Further, it develops proprietary hydrogen energy technologies and uses them for real estate and long-haul automotive applications.

[00:56] Dr. Jah's Story - Beginning with his younger self, Jalaal recounts his journey thus far, mentioning his motivation to study science and history concurrently and his first experience with innovation in clean energy technology.

[16:31] Hydrogen Batteries and Hydrogen Storage – Dr. Jah describes the energy components and products that his business sells. Further, he explains the educational part of their business.

[22:23] Hydrogen Car - Dr. Jah discusses hydrogen automobiles and emerging technologies that have the potential to transform modes of transportation.

[25:12] Supporters – Dr. Jah reflects on his father's encouragement and the unique, insightful, and helpful people who influenced his life.

[28:48] Company and Personal Life – Dr. Jah shares his perspective on balancing his personal life and profession and the reasons behind his decisions.

[32:19] Million Dollar Helicopter Drop – Jalaal recounts his plans if he were awarded a million dollars.

[34:21] Most Fun Thing – Jalaal considers development culture as the most enjoyable aspect of his business.

[30:51] Co-founder – Dr. Jah details what he would explicitly add to the profile of an ideal co-founder that is uncommon to discover.

[36.17] Inspiration – Dr. Jah discusses who he turns to for inspiration as an entrepreneur.

[38:40] The Hard Question - Dr. Jah mentions the best quantitative, falsifiable evidence he has that his business approach works.

[41:38] Startup Ecosystem – Jalaal explains where he is based and what he is most excited about in his local startup community. Moreover, he adds what other startup ecosystems he would want his destination to include.

[47:33] Pivots – Dr. Jah cites various situations that salvaged his career.

[50:57] Support – Dr. Jah talks about the communities that have been most supportive to him in developing his brand and vision.

[53:47] Billion-Dollar Company – Dr. Jah responds to the question of whether he wants to head a billion-dollar firm and explains why.

[55:39] The Future – Dr. Jah shares his thoughts on his potential customers and products in the future.

[59:11] Elyte Energy – Dr. Jah describes the most valuable item Elyte Energy performs for its consumers in response to the final question of the dialogue.

Resources:
Connect with Dr. Jah:
Website: elyteunetwork.com
Email: drjah@elyteunetwork.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjah/
Twitter: @drjahayes
Instagram: drjahayes

Quotes
“The beautiful thing I love about team building is when I pick people who want to be part of the company. So they will see the vision and understand that we're embracing and developing a culture. And the culture I want to be as diverse as possible and very fun.”

“One mic drop question would be, if you will be quiet if you want to be acquired for a billion dollars or more. What would you do with the money and why?”

“A founder is always asked about the exit strategy. If you want to take it to IPO, what would you do? You will see people motivated by money or motivated by the particular company's mission. And when they are given the money, what they will do with it shows a lot about how they would do business moving forward.”