Michael Wright, founder of Biomimetics International, joins Grow Everything to explain how learning from nature can reshape the way we design products, build businesses, and scale emerging industries. Drawing on decades in semiconductors and high technology, he describes biomimetics as learning from nature’s tested systems, from burr inspired Velcro to shark skin that reduces drag, while emphasizing that copying a biological function is not enough if a product cannot return safely to the biosphere. He introduces the Biosverse, nature’s third number, and generational cost of ownership as ways to account for environmental liabilities that traditional business models may overlook. The conversation explores how digital and biological systems converge, why biotech can learn from semiconductor standards and roadmaps, how AI might benefit from a more nurturing and accountable design approach, and why leaders should ask, “Do you know what you do does?” Michael’s vision is a mindset shift that brings nature into the design process before we build, then measures whether innovations can serve communities and remain compatible with the living world. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Chapters: (00:00:00) Grow Everything opening and biotech headlines, from fall foliage to food systems for Mars(00:07:00) FDA inspections, peptide manufacturing, and the importance of knowing where products come from(00:14:00) Michael Wright’s semiconductor career and the path to biomimetics(00:21:00) How digital and biological systems converge, from precision agriculture to digital water(00:28:00) The Biosverse, biosphere compatibility, and nature’s third number(00:35:00) Generational impact, executive decisions, and long term costs(00:42:00) What biotech can learn from semiconductor roadmaps, standards, and shared infrastructure(00:49:00) AI as a mom, biological sensing, and symbiotic decision making(00:56:00) Michael’s dream project: a mindset shift toward looking at nature first(01:03:00) Quick fire questions, the episode debrief, and designing data centers with nature in mindEpisode Links: Biomimetics InternationalMichael WrightThe Exponential Era by David Espindola and Michael WrightNASA Mars to Table ChallengeFall foliage tracker in NYBlack mold, bugs found at Chinese plants making GLP-1 compounding agentsCemvita and Roebling Partner to Accelerate Industrial BioSolutions From Discovery to Deployment199. Space, the Final Fermenter: Mario Maggio Brews Biology in Orbit with Ambrosia Space156. When Matter Makes Decisions: Michael Levin on the Intelligence of Form133. Funding, Frameworks & Frenemies: Dr. Angela Belcher of NSCEB Gets Real on the $15B Biotech Boost Plan71. Squid Pro Quo: Tandem Repeat's Melik Demirel Reinvents Clothing with SquitexGrow everything LinkedIn Topics Covered: biomimetics, bio-inspired design, biosphere compatibility, generational cost of ownership, nature-inspired materials, biomimicry in engineering, sustainable data centers, AI and biomimicry, biomimetics industry standards, circular materials Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media
