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Episode summary
In Episode 2, Part 2, Michael Livingstone continues the conversation with Eric Masaba, and this time the story gets even more shocking. After 17 years of fighting for recognition, Eric opens up about the real cost of being overlooked, the pain of seeing innovation go uncredited, and what his journey says about how Black inventors are too often pushed to the margins. This is not just a story about a patent. It is a story about power, erasure, and refusing to give up.
Why you should listen
If you have ever felt ignored, underestimated, or robbed of your moment, this episode will hit hard. Eric’s story is a wake up call for founders, innovators, and underrepresented builders trying to succeed in systems that were never built with them in mind.
In this episode
What really happened during Eric’s 17 year fight for recognition
The hidden emotional and financial toll of protecting innovation
Why this story is bigger than one inventor or one patent
How Black innovators can be written out of history
What founders must do to protect themselves, their ideas, and their future
The uncomfortable lessons this story holds for investors, institutions, and policymakers
Guest
Eric Masaba, inventor and founder, patent holder for Taxi Dispatch System, US11586999.
Host
Michael Livingstone, founder of Dustid.com, building the addressing architecture for the digital economy and beyond.
Keywords for discoverability
Black founders, Black inventors, underrepresented founders, startup story, patent battle, innovation, intellectual property, founder resilience, business injustice, venture capital, bootstrapping, startup struggles, recognition, UK startups, inclusive innovation.
Resources mentioned
Eric Masaba patents listing, including Taxi Dispatch System, Patent 11586999
Patent publication page for the Taxi Dispatch System
Eric’s post describing his 17 year journey, in his own words
Call to action
If this story moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow Zero.24% on Amazon Music, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms for more real stories about founders who refused to be erased. You can also listen hands free on Amazon Music with Alexa.
Here is an even more aggressive headline style version of the episode summary if you want it punchier:
Episode summary
They nearly wrote him out of the story. In Episode 2, Part 2, Eric Masaba reveals the brutal reality behind his 17 year fight for recognition, exposing the personal cost of protecting innovation while being overlooked by the very systems meant to reward it. This episode is raw, powerful, and a must listen for anyone who has ever had to fight twice as hard just to be seen.
