Oil and Gas Startups Podcast

Building digital twins of oil terminals, refineries, and even nuclear power plants sounds futuristic, but that’s exactly what HyBird is doing. Using laser scanning, video, and photogrammetry, they create ultra-realistic 3D models to transform how these facilities handle maintenance, inspections, and operations. Ahmed Hadid shares how he and his co-founder Mo turned a university project into a full-blown maintenance management solution, all while navigating the chaos of early COVID days and running lean as a startup. From finding product-market fit through hands-on sales to hiring the right team and joining the Techstars Space program, Ahmed dives into the grit and grind of building a company for complex industrial enterprises—and why having investors who roll up their sleeves matters.

Learn more about HyBird: https://www.hybirdtech.com/

00:00 - Intro
01:52 - What is Hybrid Technology
06:07 - Hybrid vs. Other Digital Twin Solutions
11:52 - Data Accuracy vs. Reality
19:15 - Common Use Cases for Hybrid Solutions
21:30 - The Journey of Clarity
22:05 - Product Development Challenges
25:00 - Pivoting to Maintenance Strategies
27:15 - My First Startup Experience
29:16 - Team Size and Structure
32:20 - Techstars Experience
37:09 - Lessons for Starting a Business Today
37:50 - Fundraising During COVID-19
42:18 - Overcoming Hard Times in Business
44:30 - Defining Moments for Founders
47:00 - Venture Capitalists and Fundraising
48:40 - Importance of Revenue and Profitability
53:40 - Founder-Led Sales Strategies

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