The Team
The builders, visionaries, and operators making America manufacture again.
Founders
The architects of America's first builder-focused hard-tech campus
Blake Spurgin
CEO, Founder
Blake Spurgin is CEO of Startup Central where he is leading the creation of America's first builder-focused hard-tech campus and venture platform. With a background in aerospace, manufacturing and project management, he is driving a new model that fuses capital, space and capability for founders, enabling builders to turn ideas into real products at scale. Blake also serves as CTO of Freedom Manufacturing Inc., a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Company backed by Startup Central.
Clay Richardson
Chief Technology Officer, Founder
Clay Richardson serves as Chief Technology Officer at Startup Central, bringing expertise in AI, Drone and Electronic Warfare, RF, and Manufacturing. With extensive experience in sensor system hardware, custom software development, cloud management and information systems, Clay leads the vision of the company's technical investments with his mantra "putting Adventure back into Venture Capital." His focus on reindustrializing America drives Startup Central's commitment to hands-on innovation and practical manufacturing solutions.
Cody Brown
VP, Engineering, Founder
Cody Brown is a founding member of Startup Central with extensive mechanical engineering expertise in manufacturing and product design. His passion for robotics shapes the company's approach to automation and hard-tech innovation. Cody's practical experience in bringing complex mechanical systems from concept to production provides Startup Central members with invaluable guidance as they navigate their own hardware development journeys.
Technical Experts
The shamans guiding technical innovation and manufacturing excellence
Chris Morrison
Machining Director
Chris Morrison leads Startup Central's machining operations, bringing expertise in automation, engineering and organizational leadership. With experience managing $100 million tooling and automation projects, Chris helps companies align their hard systems that drive production with the human systems that create meaning and motivation. His approach to manufacturing combines technical precision with cultural intentionality, making him a valuable resource for hardware startups navigating production challenges.
Andrew Deros
Mechanical Engineer
Andrew Deros brings exceptional mechanical engineering expertise to Startup Central, with particularly strong capabilities in prototyping and industrial product design. His background at ASU's award-winning Luminosity Lab has equipped him with cutting-edge knowledge in rapid innovation methodologies and practical implementation of complex mechanical systems. Andrew's hands-on experience helps member companies bridge the gap between concept and functional prototype with efficiency and precision.
Jack Haehl
XR Developer
Jack Haehl leads XR development at Startup Central, bringing expertise from his work at Arizona State University's Digital Discovery Initiative where he led teams building VR design evaluation and mission planning tools. With experience at PTC's Reality Lab and freelance work developing Quest 3 and HoloLens applications, Jack specializes in creating immersive technology solutions for complex visualization challenges. His computer science background from ASU's Fulton Schools of Engineering enables him to bridge virtual and physical product development, offering members innovative ways to prototype and visualize their creations.
Duke Jones
Software Engineer
Duke Jones serves as a senior software engineer at Startup Central, leveraging his extensive experience from roles at Sony, Amazon and PGP Corporation. As a privacy expert and former Head of Blockchain at Good Money, Duke provides critical expertise in secure systems development and emerging technologies. His guidance helps member companies implement robust software architectures for their hardware products, ensuring both functionality and data security in an increasingly connected product landscape.
Norbu Snow-Shiva
Technical Product Manager / Developer
Norbu Snow-Shiva brings valuable technical product management expertise to Startup Central from his roles at industry leaders Equinix and Amazon. His specialty in leading agile development teams and building enterprise products that scale to millions of users helps hardware startups think beyond initial prototypes to market-ready solutions. Norbu's experience bridging technical capabilities with market needs enables Startup Central members to develop scalable product strategies that can grow from initial concept to mass production.
Clay Haskell
Marketing Shaman / Gen-AI Alchemist
Clay Haskell brings over 15 years of storytelling and visual narrative expertise to Startup Central as its Marketing Shaman and Gen-AI Alchemist. With a background in cinematography and project management, Clay combines his creative vision with operational discipline. He looks at each project as a way to help his client connect with an audience on a deeper level. His screenwriting experience at UCLA and Film degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design gives him a unique perspective on telling the stories of hardware startups, enabling him to guide companies through their growth journey with both analytical rigor and compelling narrative.
Partners
Strategic allies in the mission to reindustrialize America
Matt Quisenberry
CEO of Freedom Manufacturing
Matt Quisenberry serves as CEO of Freedom Manufacturing, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned company backed by Startup Central. With a strong background in U.S. military service and leadership, Matt brings firsthand knowledge of challenges operating in the field to product development. Under his guidance, Freedom Manufacturing leverages Startup Central's technical expertise in AI, machining and electronics to build advanced defense products that combine battlefield insight with cutting-edge capability, delivering reliable solutions that strengthen America's defense sector.