Ramez Naam, Chief Futurist at Prime Movers Lab and science fiction author, joins to discuss the evolving landscape of climate tech investments. He highlights the declining costs of renewable energy and the balance between enhancing existing technologies and creating new solutions. The conversation dives into how science fiction can shape investment strategies, illustrating the synergy between innovative storytelling and forward-thinking investments. Additionally, Jason shares insights on investor collaboration and strategies to optimize fundraising for founders.
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insights INSIGHT
Milestone-Based Funding
Silicon Valley's milestone-based funding system filters founders, ideas, and timing.
Each milestone decreases the chances of failure, as the company proves its viability.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Co-investment Strategy
Seek co-investors to validate your startup's potential and share the risk.
However, be aware of potential ownership dilution as more investors join.
insights INSIGHT
Investment Strategies
Early-stage co-investing resembles diversified betting, spreading risk across multiple ventures.
Later-stage investing becomes more concentrated as winners emerge.
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A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
Yuval Noah Harari
In 'Nexus', Yuval Noah Harari delves into the long-term history of information networks, examining how the flow of information has made and unmade our world. The book takes readers from the Stone Age through significant historical events like the canonization of the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism, and the resurgence of populism today. Harari discusses the complex relationship between information, truth, bureaucracy, mythology, wisdom, and power, and addresses the urgent choices humanity faces as non-human intelligence threatens our existence. He argues that information networks are the primary driving force shaping human societies and that AI represents a new and critical phase in this history[2][3][5].
The Infinite Resource
The Power of Ideas on a Finite Planet
Ramez Naam
In 'The Infinite Resource', Ramez Naam argues that human ingenuity and technological innovation can effectively counteract resource scarcity, leading to a future where resources are effectively infinite. He emphasizes the role of innovation in overcoming environmental challenges and suggests reforms to economic incentives to drive sustainable development.
New York 2140
Kim Stanley Robinson
Manuel Mata
New York 2140 is set in a future New York City that has been drastically altered by climate change. The city has experienced a significant rise in sea levels, flooding much of Manhattan and transforming it into a 'Super Venice.' The novel follows the lives of multiple characters living in the MetLife Tower, which has been adapted to withstand the flooding. It delves into themes of economic and social change, critiquing capitalism and unregulated financial systems while highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the city's inhabitants. The story involves various plotlines, including a search for missing residents, attempts to reform the global financial system, and the struggle for housing and resources in a post-climate catastrophe world[1][3][4].
Apex
Ramez Naam
Apex, the second book in Ramez Naam's Nexus trilogy, continues the exploration of a future shaped by advanced nanotechnology. The story expands on the themes introduced in Nexus, delving deeper into the consequences of human enhancement and the evolving relationship between humans and technology. The novel features complex characters grappling with moral dilemmas and the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Naam's writing style maintains its engaging and thought-provoking nature, seamlessly blending scientific concepts with compelling storytelling. The book's exploration of the future of technology and its impact on humanity makes it a relevant and timely read.
Crux
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Crux tells the story of a group of New England women who move west to start a boardinghouse for men in Colorado. The central character, Vivian Lane, falls in love with Morton Elder, who has both gonorrhea and syphilis, raising concerns about the impact on the 'national stock' if they were to marry and have children. The novel is an allegory for social and political anxieties of the time, including disease hysteria and eugenic ideology.
First, Jason teaches Sunday VC School: how investors work together (01:54). In this segment you will learn.:
How collaboration varies across investing stages.
How lead investors are determined and what their responsibilities are.
The strategies you can use to win deals (Jason explains the pitch he gives to founders with options).
The warning signs to watch for when working with other investors.
Tactics founders can use for lower-friction fundraising.
Then, Molly chats with Ramez Naam from Prime Movers Lab in a This Week in Climate Startups segment (35:10). They discuss the declining costs of renewable energy, making the choice between advancing existing technologies and inventing new ones, how science fiction can make you a better investor and more.
(00:00) Jason and Molly introduce the show
(01:54) Sunday VC School - how investors work together
(06:53) How collaboration varies across investing stages
(08:43) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(09:49) Why seeing other late stage investors be passive in a deal is a warning sign
(11:20) How raising from more investors can be actually be easier than raising from a few
(15:44) Lead investor responsibilities
(20:09) Fellow - Sign up and get $1000 in credits at https://fellow.app/twist
(21:38) How VCs can win over founders
(26:44) Do VCs get offended by what order they get into a startup?
(29:16) Will investors still invest if the founder picked another VCs term sheet?
(31:33) Molly and Jason introduce the next segment
(33:25) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist
(35:10) This Week in Climate Startups - Ramez Naam
(37:55) Advancing existing technologies vs. inventing new ones
(42:19) Early stage climate investing
(46:43) The declining costs of renewable energy
(52:52) Confronting climate tech skeptics
(57:06) How writing science fiction impacts Ramez's investing
This Week in Startups 
