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Inevitable

Mike Schroepfer: Lessons from Scaling Meta to Investing in the Energy Transition

Mar 20, 2025
Mike Schroepfer, Partner at Gigascale and former CTO of Meta, shares his journey from tech titan to climate advocate. He debunks the myth that America can’t build hard things while discussing key lessons from the dot-com crash. Mike emphasizes the intersection of AI and energy innovation, addressing the urgent need for efficient solutions as AI demands grow. He also dives into how modular technologies can reduce costs and the collaborative spirit required to tackle climate challenges, showcasing the promising future of startups in this space.
01:01:45

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mike Schroepfer reflects on his career, highlighting essential lessons learned from challenges faced during the dot-com crash and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship.
  • He emphasizes the significance of energy innovation for supporting AI advancements, advocating for renewable energy sources to power technological growth sustainably.

Deep dives

Mike Schrepper's Career Journey and Early Innovations

Mike Schrepper, known as Schrep, shares his notable career experiences, starting with his early work on digital video software that contributed to the visual effects of blockbuster films like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Gladiator. This involvement sparked his passion for technology and innovation, which carried through his later roles at prestigious companies like Meta. Beyond his technical expertise, Schrep emphasizes the importance of building solutions that people can see and use, reflecting on the unique satisfaction that comes from creating impactful products. His journey illustrates the trajectory of a technologist evolving from creating visual effects to becoming a key player in climate-focused business investments at Gigascale.

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