StrictlyVC Download Astro Teller isn’t afraid of killing ideas; here’s why
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Nov 18, 2025 
Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at Alphabet’s X, dives into radical innovation and what it takes to launch ambitious projects. He shares the three key components of a true moonshot and explains why 98% of ideas are killed early. Astro emphasizes the importance of small teams and discusses how X's unique culture allows for efficient learning from failures. He also demystifies AI, urging us to treat it like electricity while highlighting the need for real-world testing of new technologies.
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Three Elements Define A Moonshot
- A moonshot needs a huge problem, a science-fiction solution, and a glimmer of breakthrough technology.
- X treats such a story as a testable hypothesis to learn from quickly.
Design For Failure To Learn Faster
- X accepts a ~2% hit rate and expects most projects to fail.
- They fund tiny experiments to prove ideas wrong rather than to make them succeed.
Don't Be Attached To Your Idea
- Avoid personal ownership of projects to preserve intellectual honesty and rapid killing.
- Encourage teams to focus on learning, not on forcing success for their idea.