Before the Rewrite

Ferreira CTO
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Stop the million-dollar rewrite before it happens. Every week, Peter Ferreira (10+ years in software, 5 years in robotics) reveals the architectural patterns that destroy hardware startups from Seed to Series B — and exactly how to avoid them. You'll learn: Edge computing for robotics. Real-time systems that don't fail. HIPAA compliance at the edge. Hardware-software integration that scales. The frameworks VCs check during technical due diligence. Built for: Hardware founders in robotics, AI, and medical devices who need architecture that survives growth. www.ferreiracto.com

Episodes

  1. JAN 13

    Edge Computing for Robotics: The OrbCare Case Study

    I made a decision that saved me six months and probably $200,000: I put the AI on the device, not in the cloud. In this episode, I walk through the architecture of OrbCare—a HIPAA-compliant health monitoring robot I'm building—and show you exactly why edge-first architecture isn't just technically superior for hardware startups, it's the only approach that actually works at scale. What you'll learn: The mental model shift from cloud-centric to edge-centric thinking (this changes everything)Why "what needs to happen locally?" beats "what's the minimum to send to cloud?"Real technical decisions: NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano, YOLO, MediaPipe, encrypted local storageHow edge-first architecture makes HIPAA compliance easier, not harder (video never leaves the device)The trade-offs nobody talks about: hardware constraints, updates, debugging, cost structureEdge vs. Cloud decision framework you can use todayThe case study: All AI inference on-device (object detection, pose estimation, breathing analysis)20-30 FPS processing with 50ms latencyWorks during internet outages (designed for disconnection, not connection)Near-zero cloud costs per devicePrivacy by default—no PHI transmissionWhy this matters: Most hardware startups default to cloud-first because that's what they know from web development. Then they hit Series B and realize they need to rebuild everything. That's $2-5M and 12-18 months you don't get back. This is the architectural decision that determines whether you scale smoothly or spend 18 months on a rewrite when you should be growing revenue. For founders building robotics, medical devices, IoT, or edge AI—this episode shows you how to avoid that wall. Next episode: HIPAA compliance at the edge—how to build medical device systems without sending sensitive data to the cloud ferreiracto.com Primary:#EdgeComputing#EdgeAI#HardwareStartups#RoboticsArchitecture#MedicalDevices#HIPAACompliance#IoTArchitecture Secondary:#NVIDIAJetson#ComputerVision#StartupCTO#DeepTech#EmbeddedSystems#AIHardware#TechnicalArchitecture Platform/Ecosystem:#BostonStartups#SeriesA#TechnicalDueDiligence#StartupEngineering SEO/Discovery:#EdgeVsCloud#LocalProcessing#RealTimeSystems#PrivacyByDesign#AutonomousSystems

    21 min

  2. JAN 9

    The 7 Red Flags I Look For in Hardware Startup Architectures

    $20 million Series B. Six months into production. Total architecture rebuild required. This happens more often than you think. And it's completely avoidable. In this episode, I walk through the 7 architecture red flags I've learned to spot immediately when reviewing hardware startup systems: Security as "Phase 2" (why this destroys hardware companies)Cloud-first thinking for edge devices (your robot shouldn't be a brick when WiFi drops)No fail-safe architecture (things break - have a plan)Real-time requirements as an afterthought (milliseconds matter)Ignoring the firmware update problem (you can't update your update system if it's broken)Underestimating data pipeline complexity (that arrow on your diagram is hiding chaos)No hardware-software testing strategy (manual bench testing doesn't scale)PLUS: Big announcement - this podcast is now "Before the Rewrite" and I'm bringing VCs onto the show to talk about what they actually look for in technical due diligence. We're creating frameworks you can use to assess your architecture against what investors evaluate. For hardware founders building robotics, medical devices, or AI at the edge - this is architecture guidance before it becomes a fundraising obstacle. Host: Peter Ferreira | 30 years software, 5 years robotics, currently building OrbCare (HIPAA-compliant health monitoring robot) ferreiracto.com Primary Tags:#HardwareStartups#RoboticsArchitecture#TechnicalDueDiligence#EdgeComputing#StartupCTO#VentureCapital#SeriesA Secondary Tags:#MedicalDevices#AIHardware#EmbeddedSystems#FirmwareEngineering#StartupTech#BostonStartups#DeepTech

    17 min

  3. 09/26/2025

    The Data Integrity Death Spiral - How Fast-Moving AI and Robotics Companies Accidentally Build Compliance Nightmares

    Think compliance slows you down? Think again. This week, Peter Ferreira breaks down why brilliant AI and robotics teams keep accidentally building $8 million compliance nightmares – and how to avoid becoming one of them. You'll discover why "we'll add compliance later" is the new "we'll add the foundation after building the house," plus the three architecture pillars that let you move fast AND stay bulletproof when regulators come knocking. Whether you're building autonomous systems, ML pipelines, or any AI-powered product heading for enterprise customers, this episode will save you from rebuilding your entire data architecture when compliance requirements hit. Key Topics: Why data lineage should be a core capability, not an afterthoughtThe "immutable everything" approach that doesn't kill performanceHow to automate compliance instead of drowning in manual processesReal architecture patterns that scale with regulations instead of fighting themAction Items: Audit your system's traceability gaps this weekTest if you can replay any decision from 3 months agoRedesign with compliance as a constraint, not a bolt-onPerfect for CTOs, engineering leaders, and founders who want to build systems that work for users AND auditors. Learn more: ferreiracto.com #CTO #TechnicalArchitecture #Compliance #AI #MachineLearning #Robotics #DataIntegrity #ArchitectureReview #TechnicalDueDiligence #Startup #EngineeringLeadership #RegulatoryCompliance #DataLineage #MLOps #TechLeadership #SystemDesign #ScaleUp #EnterpriseReady

    16 min

  4. 09/12/2025

    Build vs Buy in Biotech - Making Smart Technology Decisions When Lives Depend On It

    Ever been in a meeting where someone casually suggests "Oh, we'll just build our own LIMS" and you're thinking "Do you have ANY idea what you just said?" This episode is for you. Peter Ferreira breaks down the million-dollar question every biotech company faces: when to build custom solutions versus when to just buy existing tools and focus on the science that actually matters. Through the cautionary tale of Sarah's $3M custom LIMS disaster (spoiler: her competitor beat her to market by 18 months using off-the-shelf software), you'll learn a practical framework for making build-vs-buy decisions that could save your company millions and keep you focused on breakthrough discoveries instead of debugging barcode scanners. Whether you're a biotech CTO trying to balance innovation with compliance, a founder wondering if you should build your own clinical trial platform, or a technical leader tired of reinventing wheels while competitors race ahead, this episode gives you the strategic clarity to make smart technology decisions when lives depend on it. What You'll Learn: The "Is This Actually Our Superpower?" framework for build-vs-buy decisionsWhy regulatory compliance changes everything (and why your weekend dashboard won't cut it)Real cost breakdowns that include the hidden expenses everyone forgetsHow to integrate commercial platforms with your proprietary scienceThe one question that cuts through all the noise and saves you from expensive mistakesNo jargon, no BS, just practical advice from someone who's seen biotech companies succeed and fail based on these exact decisions. #Biotech #CTO #TechnicalDueDiligence #BuildVsBuy #LIMS #Startups #BiotechCTO #TechStrategy #RegulatoryCompliance #LifeSciences #SoftwareDecisions #TechLeadership #DrugDevelopment #BiotechFounders #FDA #GxP #ClinicalTrials #LabTech #BiotechPodcast #TechManagement #Innovation #21CFRPart11 #BioPharma #MedTech #TechInvestment #ProductStrategy #EngineeringManagement #BiotechEntrepreneur #TechStack

    19 min

  5. 08/31/2025

    Stop Waiting: Turn Your Knowledge Into Action (Sunday Meditation)

    Join Peter Ferreira for a contemplative Sunday meditation on the Sunday before Labor Day. This episode explores the gap between knowing and doing – and why the world needs more people who act on what they already know, not more people who endlessly prepare. Using the gentle metaphor of a seed that must choose to grow, this meditation will inspire you to close the gap between knowledge and action this week. Perfect for anyone who has ideas, skills, or insights they've been hesitating to act upon. Take a deep breath, find a quiet moment, and discover the power of transforming what you know into what you do. #SundayMeditation #TakeAction #Motivation #Mindfulness #PersonalDevelopment #SelfImprovement #WeeklyReflection #LaborDay #Productivity #OvercomeProcrastination #Leadership #Inspiration #MondayMotivation #PodcastMeditation #PeterFerreira #FerreiraCTO

    15 min

  6. 08/26/2025

    Technical Debt: When to Care and When to Ignore

    A founder just spent $500K and six months "cleaning up code" that worked perfectly fine. His competitors ate his lunch while he was organizing digital filing cabinets. Technical debt sounds scary, but here's the truth: most of it doesn't matter. In this episode, we're demystifying the most misunderstood concept in startup tech and showing you when to fix, when to ignore, and when to stop letting perfectionist developers derail your business. You'll discover: Why David's $500K "code spa retreat" was expensive procrastinationThe "Is This Actually a Problem?" system for technical debt triageHow to fix real issues without killing your development momentumThe 70-20-10 rule that keeps you shipping while improving your systemsWhy your authentication system from 2019 is probably just fine (seriously)Perfect for: Founders being pressured to "fix technical debt," CEOs wondering if they should halt feature development for refactoring, and entrepreneurs who want to make smart technical decisions without the engineering drama. Key insight: Fix the problems that hurt your business, not the problems that hurt your developers' feelings. Part of our scaling series: Building on our episodes about startup failures, flexible tech architecture, and strategic hiring. #TechnicalDebt #TechStrategy #StartupTech #FounderAdvice #TechDecisions #CodeQuality #TechManagement #StartupMistakes #DeveloperProductivity #TechPriorities #BusinessStrategy #StartupGrowth #TechLeadership #SoftwareDevelopment #TechDebtManagement

    15 min

  7. 08/24/2025

    Why You're Closer to Success Than You Think (Start Your Week Right)

    Feeling stuck or far from your goals? This Sunday meditation will shift your perspective on what real progress looks like. Join me for a 7-minute reflection on the quiet power of consistency and why the water that carves through stone holds the secret to breakthrough success. In this special episode, I step away from my usual fractional CTO content to share something personal – a meditation designed to help founders, tech professionals, and anyone building something meaningful start their week with renewed purpose and patience. You'll discover why success isn't about the breakthrough moments we celebrate, but about the small, consistent actions we take when no one is watching. Through the metaphor of water slowly transforming stone, we'll explore how your daily choices are building the foundation for tomorrow's possibilities. Perfect for Sunday morning coffee, a quiet walk, or any moment when you need to reconnect with your why and remember that you're closer to success than you think. #Meditation #SundayMotivation #PersonalDevelopment #Mindfulness #Success #Entrepreneur #Startup #TechLeadership #FounderLife #BusinessMindset #Leadership #Consistency #NeverGiveUp #TrustTheProcess #SmallSteps #Persistence #GrowthMindset #SelfImprovement #WeeklyReset #TechProfessionals #CTO #SoftwareDevelopment #TechStartup #ProfessionalGrowth#SundayReflection #MorningMotivation #MindfulMonday #WeeklyWisdom #InnerWork #SelfCare#Podcast #SundayMeditation #ShortForm #WeeklyInspiration #SoloEpisode

    7 min

  8. 08/23/2025

    When to Hire Your First Technical Team Members

    A founder just lost $200K on two technical hires that quit after 8 months. Here's how to avoid becoming that statistic. Building on our previous episodes about scaling and flexible tech architecture, this episode tackles one of the most expensive decisions founders make: when and how to hire technical talent. You'll discover: The Hiring Timing Matrix: exactly when you're ready for technical hires (hint: it's later than you think)The 5 fatal mistakes that kill early technical hires—and how to avoid each oneWhy Jennifer's $200K hiring disaster could have been solved with a $35K strategic approachThe "Swiss Army Knife" trap that sets new hires up for failureHow to use fractional and contract talent to validate needs before full-time commitmentsPerfect for: Founders considering their first technical hire, CEOs frustrated with previous technical hires, and entrepreneurs who want to build technical teams strategically, not reactively. Key framework: Don't hire for where you are—hire for where you'll be in 18 months. Builds on: Our previous episodes about scaling failures and building flexible tech systems. Listen to those first for the complete scaling strategy. #TechnicalHiring #StartupHiring #TechTeam #FounderAdvice #TechLeadership #StartupMistakes #HiringStrategy #TechTalent #TeamBuilding #StartupTeams #TechRecruiting #FounderMistakes #StartupGrowth #TechStrategy #HiringTips

    12 min

  9. 08/22/2025

    Building Tech That Grows With You

    Last week we talked about why 97% of startups fail to scale. This week, we're flipping the script: how to build tech that bends without breaking. In this follow-up episode, discover the FLEX Framework—four principles that help you build systems that grow with your business instead of against it. You'll learn: Why a fintech startup had to turn down a $50K contract (and how they fixed it for under $5K)The FLEX Framework for scalable technology decisionsReal upgrade paths from startup tools to enterprise systemsHow to build "LEGO block" architecture that adapts as you growThe strategic advantage of smart tech decisions over expensive onesPerfect for: Founders building their first tech stack, CEOs facing system limitations, and entrepreneurs who want to avoid costly rebuilds during growth. This episode builds on: "Why Startups Fail to Scale" - listen to that episode first for the complete scaling strategy. Key insight: You're not building for where you are—you're building for where you're going. #TechStrategy #StartupTech #ScalableSystems #TechStack #BusinessGrowth #StartupArchitecture #TechDecisions #FounderAdvice #SystemsDesign #TechScaling #StartupTools #BusinessSystems #TechLeadership #GrowthStrategy #StartupSuccess

    10 min

  10. 08/20/2025

    Why Startups Fail to Scale (and How to Avoid It)

    97% of startups that reach product-market fit still fail within five years. The biggest killer? They can't scale. In this episode, we break down the four silent killers that destroy growing companies and reveal the Scale-Smart Framework that separates survivors from casualties. You'll discover: Why early success creates a dangerous scaling mirageThe real story behind a SaaS startup that went from hero to zero in 8 monthsThe 4 specific reasons startups collapse during growth (it's not what you think)A proven framework for scaling without breaking your business or your teamThe brutal truth about when you should—and shouldn't—scale fastPerfect for: Founders with initial traction who want to grow sustainably, CEOs facing scaling challenges, and entrepreneurs who want to avoid the common growth traps that kill 97% of startups. Key takeaway: Scaling isn't about doing more—it's about doing different. #StartupScaling #EntrepreneurshipAdvice #BusinessGrowth #StartupFailures #TechStrategy #FounderStories #ScaleUp #BusinessStrategy #StartupSuccess #GrowthStrategy #SaaS #TechStartups #FounderAdvice #BusinessSystems #StartupChallenges

    10 min

  11. 08/19/2025

    Money Matters – Financial Terms Every Tech Leader Should Know

    Technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it runs on money. As a CTO, founder, or startup leader, you don’t just need to know how to build. You need to know how to keep the lights on, attract funding, and make smart financial choices. In this episode, we’ll break down the key financial terms and strategies every tech leader should understand—and how they directly impact your startup or small business.

    9 min

  12. 08/18/2025

    How to Align Tech with Your Business Goals

    Today’s episode is all about alignment — making sure your technology doesn't just “exist” in your business, but that it’s actively driving your goals forward.

    6 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Stop the million-dollar rewrite before it happens. Every week, Peter Ferreira (10+ years in software, 5 years in robotics) reveals the architectural patterns that destroy hardware startups from Seed to Series B — and exactly how to avoid them. You'll learn: Edge computing for robotics. Real-time systems that don't fail. HIPAA compliance at the edge. Hardware-software integration that scales. The frameworks VCs check during technical due diligence. Built for: Hardware founders in robotics, AI, and medical devices who need architecture that survives growth. www.ferreiracto.com

Information

  • Creator
    Ferreira CTO
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ferreira CTO
  • Show Website
    Before the Rewrite