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FYI - For Your Innovation

Latest episodes

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Mar 30, 2023 • 1h 7min

The Banking Crisis and Crypto with Art Laffer

On this episode of For Your Innovation, we wanted to highlight last week’s special edition of “In the Know,” a monthly video series featuring ARK CEO/CIO, Cathie Wood. In this special episode, Cathie is joined by her mentor, former professor, and advisor to ARK Investment Management LLC, Dr. Art Laffer. Famous for the Laffer Curve, Art is an economist and was named one of Time’s Greatest Minds of the 20th Century. Together, Cathie and Art dive into the recent banking crisis and the world of cryptoassets. We hope you find this monthly series useful, especially during periods of heightened volatility. Stay Healthy. Stay Innovative. “It’s not up to congress to allow or not allow crypto. It shouldn’t be.” – Dr. Art Laffer Episode Timestamps 1:45 – Intro 2:31 – Banking Crisis 35:30 – Crypto
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Mar 23, 2023 • 47min

Gene Therapy Could Cure Cancer with Professor Waseem Qasim

Gene therapy is gaining momentum as a noteworthy adversary to cancer, and we are thrilled to be joined today by one of the pioneers of immune system-based treatments. Professor Waseem Qasim applies his craft at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, which is notorious for being the largest concentration of children’s health research in Europe. Professor Qasim explains why he pursued a career in gene therapy, how three patients and technological advancements formed the basis of his groundbreaking treatments, what he thinks about autologous and allogeneic therapies, and what he has to say about his work being linked with a cure for cancer. We learn about the rapid advancement of medical technology, how accessible this technology is to disadvantaged communities, why pricing gene therapies is a slippery slope, and the factors that could lead to a cost reduction in Prof. Qasim’s treatments. To end, our guest shares advice on how to merge foundational research and practical applications, why the health industry needs to do more in supporting foundational research, and what Prof. Qasim thinks about the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. “[Soon] there will be specific conditions and circumstances where these technologies will give you a deep clearance and a possible complete eradication [of cancer], where the problem just doesn’t come back.” — Waseem Qasim Key Points From This Episode: Introducing today’s guest, Professor of Cell and Gene Therapy, Waseem Qasim. What led Prof. Qasim to focus on developing gene therapies for genetic disorders in children. The story for Leila Richards’s groundbreaking gene-edited cell therapy. How technological innovations have paved the way for successful gene therapies. The details behind Prof. Qasim’s second highly-publicized success story: Alyssa. More about his lesser-known patient who bridged the gap between Leila and Alyssa. Our guest explains the quality assurance process before cells are reentered into the body. What he thinks about autologous cell therapies versus allogeneic ones. Prof. Qasim reacts to his work being described as synonymous with a cure for cancer. What he thinks about the radical progression of health technology and whether it will continue to advance at such blinding speed. How accessible this advanced technology is and will be to disadvantaged communities. Why one size does not fit all when it comes to costing and pricing gene therapies. Exploring the factors that could reduce the cost of Prof. Qasim’s treatments. Some advice on how to blend the worlds of foundational research and practical application. The role that the health industry should be playing in supporting foundational research. Our guest’s thoughts on the use of AI in new medical technologies and techniques.
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Mar 16, 2023 • 58min

Bringing Sports Betting to Web3 with DraftKings Co-Founder Matt Kalish

Please note: as of 2/28/23, ARK’s clients own greater than 1% of the shares outstanding of Drafkings Inc. Fantasy sports and sports betting are now well-known and developed markets that serve hundreds of millions of people, and today’s guest has found a way of bringing the two into the Web3 space. We are joined by the Co-Founder of DraftKings, Matt Kalish, as he gives us a sense of the moments surrounding his company’s venture into daily fantasy and mobile sports betting. Then, we learn about DraftKings NFT game Reignmakers, how it’s pushing new frontiers in Web3, how it works, and how it stacks up against other daily fantasy products. We also hear about how players and league associations have received DraftKings, as well as some key insights into some of the partnerships they have formed. Our guest explains his perspective on Web3 interoperability and the transfer of utility, why DraftKings chose to partner with Polygon, what he and his team hope to achieve in the next five years, and what excites him the most about the Web3 space. At the end of today’s episode, Matt gives us his assessment of his Boston Celtics season so far and why he thinks they are real title contenders. “DraftKings doesn’t play in the super speculative space like that. We’re not a startup that can just bet the house on one little venture. We only want to do rational things.” — @mattkalish Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to the Co-Founder of DraftKings, Matt Kalish. Matt’s professional background and how he became a founding member of DraftKings. When they launched their daily fantasy product and how they got into mobile sports betting. How DraftKings is pushing new frontiers in Web3 with Reignmakers. The way Reignmakers matches up to daily fantasy products, and how it works. How players and leagues have received DraftKings, and the partnerships they’ve formed. What Web3 interoperability means to Matt and his thoughts on the transfer of utility. Why DraftKings chose to work with Polygon. What Matt and his team hope to achieve in the next five years. How the introduction of NFTs in fantasy sports has impacted private betting behavior. What excites Matt the most about exiting the NFT winter and the Web3 space as a whole. Matt’s thoughts on the Boston Celtics season so far and where he thinks they’ll end up.
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Mar 14, 2023 • 49min

The Evolution of the Construction Industry with Noah Ready-Campbell

Robotics are both deeply tied to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and also somewhat distinct in their practicality and material application. Built Robotics is a great example of this duality, and in today’s conversation with the CEO and Co-Founder of the company, Noah Ready-Campbell, we hear about how the company is positioning itself in relation to current construction industry needs and also for the wave of possibilities in the near future. Noah talks about the process of transition to autonomy, comparing other related sectors such as transportation, the strong bonds Built Robotics has created with the burgeoning solar power space, and also his belief in the capability of automation to aid us in constructing a better world. We discuss the refining of machine learning models, safety and security at Built Robotics, the need for supervision, and other sectors that the company might move into in the future. So to hear it all from Noah in this insightful chat, make sure to join us. “The thing that I think determines scaling a success for us is less about the technology barriers and more about how do we make something that’s easy and efficient for the customer.” — Noah Ready-Campbell Key Points From This Episode: The history of Built Robotics, the initial hypothesis, and their focus in the last few years. Noah talks about what they offer their clients in the construction business. Renewable energy and solar power; why Built Robotics has found a good fit in this space. Unpacking the usual costs of construction and how Built Robotics’ prices compare with this. The sensor suite at Built Robotics; computers, cameras, GPS, and more. Noah’s perspective on the question of autonomy and the trajectory of the construction industry. Thoughts on safety and regulation, and the eight-layer safety system in place at Built Robotics. Considering the limits on how fast and efficiently the machine is and will be able to operate. Necessary supervision and the possibility of the complete removal of human involvement. The skills involved in the utilization of machine capabilities. Noah shares the comparisons of efficiency and work hours between human labor and robotics. The vision for Built Robotics, and Noah’s ambitions around longevity. Factory integration of machines and where Built Robotics system is headed. The elements of Built Robotics that make sense to outsource. Noah’s expectations for the company to move into sectors beyond construction. The influence and impact of the latest wave of AI advancements on the company. The importance of the Inflation Reduction Act on the construction industry. Noah talks about the robotics possibilities he is most excited about currently.
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Mar 2, 2023 • 51min

Flying into a New Age in Travel with Dirk Hoke of Volocopter

Urban air modality is coming to life a lot faster than we may expect, and joining us today is the CEO of Volocopter, Dirk Hoke, to discuss their new Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicle service launching in 2024. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how Dirk joined Volocopter, the different aviation authorization bodies and why they’re important, the aviation safety regulations in testing new aircraft, mistakes companies are making, and the global regulators’ reaction to new technology. Dirk talks us through how Volocopter is designed, why it is designed the way it is, and how it will change urban air modality over the next decade. You’ll also hear about the hurdles they are facing, their hopes for their launch, and the cost of these models. Autonomy is not a technological issue but is rather an issue of certification and public support and in this episode, Dirk highlights the importance of recognizing that air taxi travel is going to happen much sooner than we think. Tune in now to hear about this exciting innovation. “Our systems can be applied to any city in a very short-term manner, once we have demonstrated that we are safe and low level on the noise side.” — @HokeDirk Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to today’s guest, Dirk Hoke. What led Dirk to join Volocopter. Dirk explains the importance of the aviation authorization bodies, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Aviation Aviation Assessment (IASA). Why you can only have a serious problem in civil airspace after one billion operational hours. How to ensure safety when creating an aircraft. What makes this such a rigorous process and the mistakes he sees other companies making. How global regulators have reacted to the huge wave of new technology being created. Why air traffic management needs to go through the next step of digital transformation. Dirk tells us why Volocopter is designed the way it is. Dirk explains how this model will change flying in the next decade. The price structure dynamics in this industry. What discussions are being had about increasing landing sites. How congestion is changing and why we need new modalities without waiting for new roads. How and why the business model for making aircrafts has changed. Why Dirk wants President McCall to launch the product at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The hurdles Volocopter is facing as they journey to commercial launch. Why one design cannot cope with all the requirements of all the different markets. Why autonomy isn’t a technological issue but rather an acceptance and certification problem. Why humans will be used in the loop of automated air travel for quite a while. The importance of understanding that air taxis will fly sooner than we think they will.
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Feb 23, 2023 • 31min

Big Ideas 2023: Technological Convergence

On today’s episode of FYI, we will highlight another segment from Big Ideas 2023; Technological Convergence. To watch Chief Futurist Brett Winton walk through his section, click here. To download the full Big Ideas 2023, click here. “Future historians could look back on this business cycle and say we can’t believe that all of these technologies were hitting critical stages of inflection at the same time.” – @wintonARK According to ARK’s research, five innovation platforms are converging to create unprecedented growth trajectories. Artificial Intelligence is the most important catalyst, its velocity cascading through all other technologies. The market value of disruptive innovation platforms could scale 40% at an annual rate during this business cycle, from $13 trillion today to $200 trillion by 2030. In 2030, the market value associated with disruptive innovation could account for the majority of the global equity market capitalization.
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Feb 16, 2023 • 54min

Discussing Our Exact Sciences Valuation

Today, Tasha Keeney sits down with Simon Barnett to talk about ARK’s valuation of Exact Sciences and to share our outlook about the company’s trajectory in the next five years. Exact Sciences is the cancer testing company that has brought to market both Cologuard and Oncotype. This conversation covers the prominence and acceptance of these two testing franchises, Exact Sciences’ product leadership, Exact’s recent performance in the market, the models that ARK has developed for gauging the company’s outlook, and the areas of risk that investors should be aware of. One of the main focuses of today’s chat is what Exact Sciences’ progress symbolizes in terms of the future of the cancer treatment field, with Simon making an argument for why he sees them holding onto their market-leading position for the foreseeable future. We also spend some time at the end of the episode considering what this means for healthcare and individual wellbeing in general, so make sure to catch it all in this episode of For Your Innovation! Please refer to the Exact Sciences valuation article for a more comprehensive explanation of ARK’s model, including its risks and limitations. “Cancer care is something that is totally divorced from interest rate changes or consumer sentiment. It’s something that’s very predictable, and it’s something that’s very important.” — @sbarnettARK Key Points From This Episode: Introducing Exact Sciences and its two biggest testing franchises: Cologuard and Oncotype. Valuation of Exact Sciences and how ARK has approached creating these models. Calculations for the price target of the company. Sales and marketing at Exact Sciences and the positive brand recognition they have built. Benchmarks for analyzing companies like Exact Sciences. Comparing ARK’s process and view on Exact Sciences to other opinions in the market. How the lowered price of genome sequencing has affected the outlook for the market. The route to the aggregate gross margin structure for Exact Sciences. Qualitative elements that matter most to ARK; how Exact Science fits into our rubric. Alignment between the expectations of Exact Science’s management and our estimations. A look at the three main areas of risk: competition, time, and financing. Simon explains how thesis risk applies to the healthcare space. Thoughts on the company’s net income and cash flow in the near future. Reasons to be excited about the next few years in the healthcare space.
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Feb 9, 2023 • 50min

Introducing Big Ideas 2023

On today’s episode of FYI, we will be featuring last week’s episode of In The Know, a monthly video series on which ARK CEO and CIO Cathie Wood discusses fiscal policy, monetary policy, market signals, economic indicators, and innovation. On this specific episode, Cathie weighs in on M2 growth, interest rates, inflation, auto sales, and bitcoin. Additionally, she highlights ARK’s Big Ideas 2023. “We’ve grown up in a linear world really the last 50 years, and if were right that we’re entering into an exponential growth world, then real GDP growth should kick up here.” – @CathieDWood The Big Ideas highlighted in this year’s report include: Technological Convergence Artificial Intelligence Digital Consumers Digital Wallets Public Blockchains Bitcoin Smart Contract Networks Precision Therapies Molecular Diagnostics Electric Vehicles Autonomous Ride-Hail Autonomous Logistics Robotics and 3D Printing Orbital Aerospace Watch February’s Episode of In The Know. Download the full Big Ideas 2023.
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Feb 2, 2023 • 46min

Powering the Next Generation of Games with Justin Hulog

Video games have grown massively over time, commanding more and more leisure time for people all around the world. As video game popularity has grown, so has the use cases and popularity of blockchain technology and these two worlds are beginning to merge more frequently with blockchain based platforms for video games. To help us unpack this nuanced subject is Justin Hulog, Chief Studio Officer at Immutable X, a non-fungible token (NFT) minting and trading platform for video game developers. Justin has a wealth of experience as a general manager, operations leader, and people strategist, and mainly focuses on the intersection of strategy and organization to solve problems. In our conversation, we talk about how Immutable X started, the different sides of the business, details about his role, and what the company provides developers. We then delve into designing sustainable in-game economies, how to potentially leverage blockchain technologies, the idea of cost versus utility, and how to sustain a game’s user base. Hear about the different taxonomies of the space, balancing the business side and the developer side, the play-to-earn era, the silver lining of the recent crypto bear market, and much more. Tune in to discover how blockchain technology could be revolutionizing the video game industry! “Quality game loops and good game loops, so, actually good games, is something that the market wants to see now.” – @BathalaX Key Points From This Episode: Background about Justin and his current role at Immutable X. A brief overview of Immutable X and the underlying blockchain technology. The challenges that developers face working with blockchain-based platforms. How in-game blockchain-based economies are different. Details about the design approach at Immutable X. Ways in which the market and monetizing games have changed. The important underlying utility: making a fun game. Justin unpacks the different layers of a digital asset. How the out-of-game experience provides another platform for design. An overview of the exciting new possibilities of blockchain-based video games. What makes Immutable X different from the competition. An outline of the essential role the in-house development team plays. Justin shares his outlook on blockchain-based video games.
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Jan 26, 2023 • 53min

The Case For An Allocation to Disruptive Innovation in 2023

ARK Client Portfolio Manager Ren Leggi and Chief Futurist Brett Winton discuss why ARK believes investors should consider an allocation to disruptive innovation in 2023 in today’s episode of FYI. Ren and Brett discuss the potential size of the disruptive innovation opportunity, why ARK focuses exclusively on investing in innovation and what some of the major breakthroughs were in 2022 that the market might have missed while focusing closely on macroeconomic headwinds like interest rates and inflation. Ren explains why investors shouldn’t think of volatility negatively, and Brett answers the question: “Why should investors hold innovation strategies through downturns in the market?” “Volatility is a sign of how early we are. Volatility feels bad on the downside, but it feels great on the upside.” – wintonARK Key Points From This Episode: Everything Brett’s role entails as Chief Futurist as ARK What the size and scale might be for the disruptive innovation opportunity Why ARK focuses exclusively on investing in disruptive innovation Why Brett believes ChatGPT was a major breakthrough Some of the major breakthroughs the market might have missed in 2022 Our belief that the market might be too focused on macroeconomic headwinds What Brett would tell investors concerned about the inherent volatility in innovation Making the case for an allocation to disruptive innovation in an investor’s portfolio Why the broad-based benchmarks might be short innovation The importance of maintain a long-term investment time horizon when investing in innovation What innovation is happening in the private equity markets Why ARK never changes its investment philosophy even in market turmoil Answering the question: “Why should investors hold innovation strategies through downturns in the equity markets?” Why investors should not try to “time” the market Ren explains why volatility should not be considered a bad word Companies seem to be holding elevated levels of cash on their balance sheets

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