Chris Wake, Founding Partner of Atypical Ventures: Investing in the Frontier

Welcome to TBCY! In this episode, host Stephen Ibaraki interviews Chris Wake, Founding Partner of Atypical Ventures. Chris shares his fascinating journey from his childhood curiosity and adoptive experience, to building and investing in groundbreaking frontier technologies. Discover how pivotal moments shaped his career, why he’s passionate about “plausible science fiction,” and how Atypical Ventures is fueling innovation in fields like synthetic biology, lunar data centers, nuclear isotopes, and critical infrastructure.

Learn about the mindset of an “engineer with empathy,” the future of investing at the boundary of atoms, bits and cells, and why Chris believes real change comes from supporting outliers and overlooked research. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or curious mind, this episode is packed with insights into shaping the world’s future through radical innovation.