Ep58: e/acc, the Gundo, and turning deserts into forests — Product Market Fit podcast (startups | technology | growth)
Jan 3, 2024
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A young founder aims to use cloud-seeding tech to transform the American West. Discussion on e/acc and the Gundo. Exploring optimism, hard tech solutions, and turning deserts into forests. Further reading on AI and Altman. Sponsorship by Grwth.co for startup support. Contact Mosheh for more info.
Embrace optimism and willpower to counter techno-pessimism.
Collaborate for safe weather control and ecosystem benefits through cloud-seeding.
Address challenges in cloud seeding with research, modeling, and regulatory compliance.
Deep dives
Zoomers Embrace Techno-Optimism and Reject Nihilism
Zoomers are tired of the nihilism and techno-pessimism prevalent in today's society and are eager for a more optimistic future. The speaker highlights the importance of embracing optimism and willpower to shape a better future.
Rainmaker's Mission: Terraforming and Techno-Optimism
Rainmaker, led by a 23-year-old founder, focuses on terraforming, techno-optimism, and effective acceleration for the future of humanity on Earth. The company aims to control the weather to benefit agriculture and ecosystems, emphasizing the need for collaboration with stakeholders for safe and effective solutions.
Challenges in Cloud Seeding and Weather Modification
Cloud seeding and atmospheric engineering present challenges such as the unpredictability of weather models and the potential secondary effects of altering natural weather patterns. The importance of considering and mitigating these effects is crucial, requiring ongoing research and modeling.
R&D Roadmap and Regulatory Considerations for Rainmaker
Rainmaker's roadmap involves addressing market needs, integrating complex systems for cloud seeding, and developing safer and more efficient nucleation agents. Regulatory challenges at state and federal levels require careful planning and collaboration to ensure safe and effective weather modification.
Embracing Technological Abundance and Positive Vision
The speaker advocates for embracing technological solutions, abundance mindset, and optimistic visions for the future. Discussing the need for energy abundance and sustainable technologies, the focus is on leveraging innovation to thrive on Earth and beyond, in alignment with a positive and forward-thinking outlook.
We're kicking off 2024 with a bang! Augustus Doricko is the youngest founder I've interviewed and perhaps the most ambitious. His company, Rainmaker, is looking to use cloud-seeding technology to revitalize the American West and, in his words, extend the Great Plains into Nevada and Arizona.
We talked about e/acc and why hard tech is the answer to the growing sense of doomism. And what's happening in "the Gundo" (El Segundo, CA).
I love his optimism and ambition and enjoyed our wide-ranging conversation.
This podcast is brought to you by grwth.co. Grwth offers fractional CMOs, paired with best-in-class digital marketing execution to support early-stage startup success. With a focus on seed and series A companies, Grwth has helped a number of SaaS, digital health, and e-commerce startups build their go-to-market function and scale up.
