How I Invest with David Weisburd cover image

How I Invest with David Weisburd

E160: How a SpaceX Rocket Engineer Became a Top Deep Tech VC

May 2, 2025
Jamie Gull, GP/Founder of Wave Function Ventures and former SpaceX engineer, shares insights from his transition into deep tech investing. He discusses SpaceX's high-responsibility culture and how fast iteration trumps careful planning in hardware startups. Jamie explains the importance of technical knowledge for deep tech founders and the myth that these ventures require excessive capital. With stories of investing in companies like Boom Supersonic, he emphasizes the evolving landscape of deep tech and the traits that make category-defining founders stand out.
41:26
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Episode guests

Jamie Gull

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The 'responsible engineer' framework at SpaceX promotes accountability and rapid problem-solving, enhancing efficiency in engineering and development.
  • Successful deep tech startups benefit from founders with technical backgrounds, as they navigate complexities and iterate products more effectively than those with only business degrees.

Deep dives

The Responsible Engineer Culture at SpaceX

The concept of a 'responsible engineer' at SpaceX emphasizes a high level of accountability among engineers. Each engineer is responsible not just for design but also for the entire development process, including production and testing, until the launch occurs. This framework fosters a zero-excuse mentality, where any delays or problems are addressed directly by the responsible engineer who must go to external vendors or production lines to resolve them. Such an approach enhances efficiency and ensures that engineers understand their role in the overall mission of the company.

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