The Next Elon Musk - Raising $100M + to Cure Cancer with Space Medicine | Delian Asparouhov
May 16, 2024
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Delian Asparouhov, Partner at Founders Fund and cofounder/chairman of Varda, discusses pioneering space medicine to cure cancer, pranking MIT as a student, and transitioning from founding Nightingale for autism therapy to investing in the space industry with Varda. He delves into manufacturing drugs in microgravity and setting ambitious goals for personal and professional growth.
Leveraging space manufacturing for economic expansion beyond Earth's surface
Transitioning from investor to space entrepreneur through deep tech focus
From viral tweet catalyst to founding Varda - Delian's journey into deep tech space entrepreneurship
Building an ideal team for innovative ventures with diverse expertise and roles
Deep dives
Varda's Mission: Expanding Economic Bounds of Humankind
Varda's mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind by focusing on space manufacturing. Delian found a unique opportunity in the space industry by leveraging reusable Falcon 9 rockets and the emergence of Starship. He recognized the potential of fully autonomous space factories in low Earth orbit, leading to cost-effective manufacturing processes. Despite facing initial resistance from traditional NASA-funded companies, Delian saw the feasibility and value in autonomous space manufacturing for advancing humankind's economic expansion beyond Earth's surface.
Transition to Space Entrepreneurship
Delian's journey from Nightingale to working with Keith Rabois at Coasla Ventures provided invaluable experiences that shaped his transition to space entrepreneurship. He leaned into investing in deep tech companies, particularly in the space industry, gaining insights and deal flow that eventually influenced the founding of Varda. Delian's self-awareness and long-term approach allowed him to pivot strategically into building a space company, realizing that his strength lay in being an investor with a focus on space innovation.
From Idea to Action: Tweeting into Reality
In May 2020, Delian tweeted about the ideal timing for starting a capital-intensive deep tech space company, which went viral and triggered his commitment to the idea. Despite initial reservations, Delian's unique insight and motivation drove him to progress from ideation to action. The tweet acted as a catalyst, pushing Delian towards the path of founding Varda and pursuing his long-standing passion for space entrepreneurship.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing the Life's Work
The journey with Varda has been filled with challenges, testing Delian's perseverance and commitment. Despite moments of demotivation reminiscent of past endeavors, Delian's deep conviction in Varda as his life's work reignites his dedication. Each setback serves as a reminder of his profound connection to the mission of advancing space manufacturing and economic expansion in the space industry.
Building the Ideal Team for an Innovative Venture
In the podcast episode, the speaker discusses the process of building an ideal team for an innovative venture. He highlights the importance of recruiting specific individuals with unique backgrounds, such as someone from SpaceX with experience in reentry capsules, a scientist with microgravity work on the ISS, and a VC for fundraising due to the capital-intensive nature of the venture.
Revolutionizing Drug Manufacturing in Space
The podcast delves into the concept of manufacturing drugs in space to revolutionize drug production. By utilizing microgravity, drugs can be manufactured in a way that is not possible on Earth, leading to more controlled and efficient drug delivery methods. Specific examples from the International Space Station showcase the advancements and improved outcomes, especially in areas like cancer treatment.
Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Life
The episode explores the significance of balancing entrepreneurship with personal life, emphasizing the importance of early marriage and starting a family. The speaker shares insights on the correlation between personal commitment and professional success, highlighting the benefits of early commitments and family life for long-term fulfillment and legacy building. Additionally, the importance of storytelling and people assessment skills for founders are discussed as crucial aspects of entrepreneurial success.
On this episode of the World Class Podcast, we sit down with one of the most ambitious entrepreneurs of our generation and the world‘s first "space drug dealer”. Delian Asparouhov is a partner at Founders Fund, as well as the cofounder and chairman of Varda, a revolutionary company building pharmaceuticals infrastructure in outer-space to advance humankind here on earth. In this conversation, we discuss how to accomplish Elon Musk-level moonshot goals, how to assemble World Class teams to make those goals reality, and Delian's advice on how to be fulfilled along the journey.
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