Ripping Up the Playbook to Innovate in Novel Industries with OxWash Founder & Exited CEO, and Ex-NASA & SpaceX, Dr Kyle Grant-Talbot - Episode 31

Pivot points powered by Brandpie

Pivot points powered by Brandpie
Ripping Up the Playbook to Innovate in Novel Industries with OxWash Founder & Exited CEO, and Ex-NASA & SpaceX, Dr Kyle Grant-Talbot - Episode 31
Jan 21, 2026 Episode 31
Brandpie

Dr Kyle Grant-Talbot is a self-described: ‘washed up astronaut’. 

Don’t let his humility fool you, though - his talents and innovations continue to leave their mark among the stars for NASA and SpaceX.

Kyle’s intelligence in Engineering Biology was matched by the ambition to tackle an industry which has shocking, high-stakes ripple effects through hospitality and healthcare - industrial laundry.

Today’s episode of Pivot Points paints a portrait of pure ambition.

The portrait of a leader who’s grounded, but possesses the drive to turn his hand to anything, and make it fly.

The portrait of a leader who’s learned the traits of mature, experienced leaders, decades ahead of his time.

You will learn:

  • How the life-support engineer role at NASA/SpaceX translated space-grade thinking into a scalable, real world business
  • Strategies to spot high-impact, overlooked industries where deep tech can create real competitive advantage
  • How to navigate rapid growth, painful pivots and tough calls with patience and maturity
  • The aspects of Kyle’s business that have proven more important than any single piece of technology

🔑 Key Themes

  • Applying modern engineering to outdated industries
  • The zero‑to‑one hundred founder grind
  • Obsessive customer focus as the real engine of growth
  • The significant pivots on the scaling journey
  • The emotion and timing behind selling Oxwash 

Dr Kyle Grant-Talbot

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-c-grant/

OxWash

https://www.oxwash.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxwash/

Connect with Dave Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallenbrandpie/
Learn more about Brandpie: https://www.brandpie.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandpie/

Episode Artwork Ripping Up the Playbook to Innovate in Novel Industries with OxWash Founder & Exited CEO, and Ex-NASA & SpaceX, Dr Kyle Grant-Talbot - Episode 31 37:22 Episode Artwork 2026: The Trends of a Successful Leader - Episode 30 49:01 Episode Artwork Transparency at the Top: How Authenticity Creates Culture That Lasts with CEO of Securian Canada, Nigel Branker - Episode 29 37:23 Episode Artwork Flipping the Script: How to Overturn the Recession in Moral Leadership with Co-Founder of Apolitical, Robyn Scott - Episode 28 41:00 Episode Artwork The Intentional Brilliance of an Accidental CEO with Senior Advisor and Former-CEO of Flatiron Health, Carolyn Starrett - Episode 27 40:20 Episode Artwork Charting the Map for Transformative Leadership with Ordnance Survey’s CEO, Nick Bolton - Episode 26 46:37 Episode Artwork ‘Change Happens at the Speed of Trust’: Reshaping Healthcare with Confluent Health CEO, Kristi Henderson - Episode 25 35:16 Episode Artwork ‘Sink or Swim’: Mastering the Transition from Life-Saver to Leadership with CEO at CORCYM, Christian Mazzi - Episode 24 42:52 Episode Artwork The Founder’s Edge: Secrets to Growing Alongside Your Business with Entrepreneur and Investor, Dave Parker - Episode 23 41:26 Episode Artwork The Art of Reinvention Across Companies and Continents with CEO of British American Business, Duncan Edwards OBE - Episode 22 37:09 Episode Artwork Saving the World: How Purpose Guides Progress with CEO of Nexpring Health, Wil Boren - Episode 21 40:18 Episode Artwork Turning Points: A Pivot Points Special - Episode 20 26:07 Episode Artwork The Impeccable Timing Behind Atea’s Rise with CEO, Steinar Sønsteby - Episode 19 38:48 Episode Artwork From Wall Street to Wireless: Turning Networks into Empires with CEO of Extreme Networks, Ed Meyercord - Episode 18 42:08 Episode Artwork Forging a Path from BP to the Board with Board Director and Former-BP Marketing VP, Anna Catalano - Episode 17 44:21 Episode Artwork Revolutionising the Home Through Bootstrapping Brilliance with Founder of Swyft, Keiran Hewkin - Episode 16 46:16 Episode Artwork Lessons from the Frontline of American Politics with President & CEO of the Financial Technology Association, Penny Lee - Episode 15 38:35 Episode Artwork Turning 10 Years at LinkedIn Into Startup Success with Evidenza’s Co-Founder, Jon Lombardo - Episode 14 50:56 Episode Artwork Unleashing Creativity: The Art of Chasing the Inspiration Within with CEO of The Institute of Imagination, Martin Allen Morales - Episode 13 40:04 Episode Artwork Authenticity At The Top: The Perks of Leading with Purpose with CEO of Ampa, Sarah Walker-Smith - Episode 12 42:23 Episode Artwork A Masterclass in Marketing, Brand Building and Culture with Fasthosts’ Managing Director, Rupert Bedell - Episode 11 44:27 Episode Artwork The Crucible Moments That Reforge a Leader with Former-CEO of The Body Shop & Charles Tyrwhitt, David Boynton - Episode 10 40:46 Episode Artwork The Art of Excelling in a ‘Squiggly Career’ with The Marketing Society’s CEO, Sophie Devonshire - Episode 9 42:24 Episode Artwork Cesare Ragazzi’s Revival: How to Breathe New Life Into a Brand with CRLAB Chairman, Andrea Mandel-Mantello - Episode 8 42:31 Episode Artwork The Anthropy Story: The Lessons From Military Service Shaping Britain’s Bright Future with Founder, John O'Brien MBE - Episode 7 42:35