Startup Cafe: Building the Zero-Waste, Self-Sustaining Kitchen of the Future—Today
☕️ Startup Cafe
Entrepreneurs, Startups, Creatives, and Tech Enthusiasts join together to meet and connect with like-minded people, industry professionals, and investors while enjoying a nice cup of coffee at The KINN, a membership network, accelerator, and collaborative workspace for conscious entrepreneurs.
Agenda
8:45 - 9:45 am • Coffee and Socialize
9:45 - 10:30 am • Scheduled Experience
April 9th, 2025
Roderick is a seasoned entrepreneur, brand strategist, and founder with a track record of building bold consumer ventures at the intersection of design, technology, and culture. As the founder and CEO of Spinn, a pioneering coffee technology company, Roderick helped redefine the at-home coffee experience through connected devices, subscription commerce, and user-centered product development.
With a background that spans Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley, Roderick brings a global perspective to innovation, having raised venture capital, navigated hardware manufacturing across continents, and scaled brand-driven startups in both European and U.S. markets. His experience bridges product vision, go-to-market strategy, and the operational realities of building companies from the ground up.
Roderick speaks on topics including:
● Building hardware startups in a software world
● Designing premium consumer experiences
● Fundraising across borders
● Brand, culture, and identity in product innovation
● Founder resilience and lessons from the front lines
A Dutch native with a deep appreciation for craft, storytelling, and systems thinking, Roderick is known for blending creative vision with practical execution — and for speaking candidly about both the highs and lows of startup life.
David Hertz - ARCHITECTS, INC.
David Hertz, FAIA, Architect, founded Syndesis in 1983 and S.E.A. The Studio of Environmental Architecture, a practice focused on regenerative design in an age of resilience. David won the 2022 Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Climate Action. In 2018, Hertz won the Water Abundance XPRIZE, a 1.5 M prize to make over 2,000 liters of water from air. In 2006, David was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from SCI-Arc. In 2008, he was elected to the prestigious American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, as one of its youngest members in its over 155-year history.
David's award-winning work has been published widely and exhibited internationally. Some highlights include exhibitions in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Building Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. David has taught studios and lectured at Yale, USC, UCLA, and Art Center.
Rueben Vollmer - CEO @ Spout | Founder, BFA
Reuben is the CEO of Spout, a pioneering company focused on harvesting pure drinking water from the air. His journey began in 2014 during a severe drought that threatened his family's farm's water rights in California. During this challenging time, an inspiring moment struck while walking his dog, as he observed a field glistening with morning dew. This sparked the idea to capture that moisture and turn it into a solution for the growing water scarcity issue.
With over nine years of experience, Reuben has merged his skills in 3D printing, modeling, programming, and circuit board development to create innovative solutions aimed at solving the global water crisis. His time as a Creative Technologist/Rapid Prototype at Deutsch LA, developing unique products for Fortune 500 companies, honed his technical expertise. Additionally, his role as an Operations Manager and Engineer at an Aerospace/semiconductor manufacturing company in Torrance, CA, further shaped his capabilities in engineering and operations.
Reuben's background extends beyond technology. After graduating from Chapman University’s film school, he pursued a career as a professional designer and animator. His passion for storytelling, creative direction, and skills in photography and video editing have been crucial in spreading Spout’s message to a global audience. From its humble beginnings as DewGood, Spout has grown into a company with a mission to provide sustainable, pure water solutions. Today, their countertop water maker delivers 2-2.5 gallons of pristine water daily, helping millions of people access clean, sustainable drinking water.
Help us keep this event sustainable. Bring a reusable water bottle.
About The KINN
The KINN is a membership network, accelerator, and collaborative workspace for conscious entrepreneurs, based in Venice, CA. Running tailored inner development and business accelerator programs for startups, providing executive coaching, accountability, and access to a top-tier LA-based community of conscious entrepreneurs, creatives, intrapreneurs, and investors. If you're interested in learning more about KINN Membership, please visit http://thekinn.co/apply
About Startup Coil
Networking for innovators to connect with like-minded individuals, startups, and entrepreneurs. startupcoil.com
About Nerds of LA
Join Nerds of LA—where LA’s most innovative minds collide! We’re building the ultimate network by connecting with other powerhouse groups in the area, expanding our reach across the city. If you’re ready to link up with founders, VCs, AI visionaries, and innovators shaping the future, this is the group you’ve been looking for.
Pick your platform and join the conversation with LA’s tech community. 🤝 🦾
Highlights from previous special guests
Building Businesses from the Heart with Lavinia Errico, Co-Founder of Equinox
How to Scale Consciously with Ryan Blair
Founder Mental Health Pledge with Brad Baum
Art Show with Denise Di Novi
Operating Incubators with Reuben Vollmer
Malibu Love Affair with Brigitte Londo
Live Through Love with Ruben Rojas
Finding Stillness with Henry Mitchell
Smarter with Science! with Science Stanley and Zen Zachary
The Science of Charisma: The 7 Secrets of Public Speaking with Richard Greene
Unveiling the Human Experience with Paul Vincent
Note: By attending this event, I hereby give my permission to the Horizon House LLC, their Releases, and to the photographer, my free and unlimited consent and permission to publish/broadcast, republish/rebroadcast or exhibit in the furtherance of their work, with or without identification of me by name, any photographs, videos or audios of myself, that have been obtained from my participation in KINN or Horizon Studio activities. I furthermore waive any and all claims for any compensation by reason thereof or for damages for reasons thereof.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the LA Climate Week Organizers.