Akshita Iyer, CEO and founder of Ome,was interviewed by Michael Wolf on The Spoon Podcast, which explores the world of food, tech, and more! 

Originally launched under the name Inirv, Ome’s journey began with a simple idea born from a personal experience — retrofitting stoves to prevent kitchen fires and help those aging in place. From a 3D-printed prototype in 2016 to delivering their first product through Kickstarter, Akshita shares the highs and challenges of bringing a hardware product to life, including turning down a Shark Tank deal and navigating complex safety standards.

Here are some topics Akshita and Michael discuss on this podcast:

• How Akshita’s mother’s experience with Parkinson’s and a kitchen fire inspired her to start the company
• The challenges of developing the product, from idea to fully functional smart knob
• Akshita’s Shark Tank experience, including an offer from Robert Herjavec that they chose to decline
• How the Ome Smart Knob prevents fires by automatically shutting off burners, with a focus on helping older adults and those with cognitive decline
• The UL 858 safety certification and Ome’s role in updating industry standards
• How insurance companies may someday incentivize the adoption of smart safety devices
• How Ome is working with senior living communities to gather data on reducing cooking-related risks