Joe Kastner is a passionate young professional with a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Minnesota Duluth. During his college years, he discovered his love for engineering projects that tackle human issues through the use of open-source technologies. This passion led him to design and prototype functional prosthetics using 3D scanning, mold casting, and 3D printing. He successfully led this project in collaboration with occupational therapy students and doctors to produce a custom-fit prosthetic thumb for a client, leaving a production roadmap for others to follow.

Joe continued his involvement in open-source projects by designing and creating a low-cost, open-source data acquisition buoy for the Great Lakes Observing System and Smart Great Lakes Initiative. This project contributed to the advancement of research and data collection in the Great Lakes region and provided a valuable resource to organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem, now at a small fraction of the market price.

Having always had a passion for entrepreneurship, Joe participated in a 2019 university-hosted shark tank competition where he teamed up with a partner to pitch their startup idea of remodeling and additively manufacturing discontinued parts for vintage recreational vehicles. The business plan and shark tank pitch won first prize, provided seed money for the startup, and ignited a tireless drive in Joe to one day start his own business.

As a working industrial engineer, Joe’s innovative ideas are focused on efficiency and continuous improvement. His commitment to continuous learning and passion for making a difference in the world drive him to seek out new challenges and opportunities. He is dedicated to promoting accessibility, both through his work in engineering and his involvement in the community.