In this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with George Breiwa, founder of DynaVap, the pioneering mechanical vaporizer that bakes rather than burns. George recounts the origin story—from a 2012 realization that electronics add cost and complexity, to a simple, battery-free device designed for mass affordability. Learn why it's called DynaVap (no electronics, no batteries) and how a basement prototype evolved into a global product with a devoted community.
George walks us through the rollercoaster startup journey: a $16,000 tooling hurdle, crowdfund setbacks, PayPal freezes, and high‑risk merchant accounts. He shares how he pivoted to direct-to-consumer pre-orders, built an early adopter fan base, and used forums and video content to educate a curious market about baking over burning.
A pivotal shift came with modular components and open collaboration. A notable partnership with Ed’s TT yielded titanium ovens and wood stems, creating a plug‑and‑play ecosystem—the DynaVapVerse—that invites makers to contribute their own flavor and accessories, expanding the brand far beyond its core product.
From scaling manufacturing in‑house to ensuring consistent quality, George reveals how international sales became a cornerstone of resilience (40–45% of production exported) and how a culture of gratitude and persistence keeps the team moving forward.
If you’re building a cannabis brand or evaluating product strategy, this episode is a masterclass in invention, community-building, and scalable entrepreneurship—with practical takeaways you can apply to growth and operations. Stay tuned for part two as we dive deeper into the DynaVap journey.
Find out more about DynaVap at:
https://www.dynavap.com/en-ca?srsltid=AfmBOorUjTQH9JnBSvrmepq96r-eC8rTgoD_wSr4bxSiIDv8E-oeFbdK
https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-breiwa-19443114/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynavap/
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:11 The Origin of DynaVap
02:09 The Mission to Create an Affordable Vaporizer
03:12 The Technology Behind DynaVap
06:12 Personal Background and Passion for Engineering
08:36 Early Prototypes and Challenges
14:21 Crowdfunding Journey and Setbacks
21:22 Navigating Payment Processing Issues
23:58 Building a Community and Marketing Strategy
28:31 Engaging Early Adopters
29:24 The Value of First Customers
30:25 Product Evolution and Feedback
32:25 Collaborations and Innovations
35:04 Pursuing Passion and Creativity
36:54 Overcoming Business Challenges
44:38 Building an International Market
49:23 Distribution and Manufacturing Decisions
52:35 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans
#kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast
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