Sourcery

Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal and Girlboss, shares her transformative journey from running a $350M fashion empire to establishing her own venture capital firm, Trust Fund. She discusses the cultural impact of Girlboss and the brutal realities of VC dynamics that led to her bankruptcy. Insights on the emotional connections people have with brands are fascinating, along with her thoughts on nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Plus, she hints at the evolving landscape of wealth and the role of AI in business.

In this chat, Augustus Doricko, founder of Rainmaker, and Alex Levy, founder of Atmo, dive into groundbreaking strategies for combating freshwater scarcity through innovative weather engineering. They unravel the mechanics of cloud seeding and clarify common misconceptions. The duo discusses the stunning speed and accuracy of AI-driven meteorology compared to legacy systems, and how these advancements can revive industries and manage drought. They also tackle the challenges of public perception regarding weather modification, particularly after recent natural disasters.

John Maslin, CEO of Vulcan Elements and a Harvard Business School graduate, shares insights on his company’s $65M Series A funding to build a cutting-edge rare earth magnet factory in North Carolina. He discusses the critical role of rare earth magnets in powering tech innovations and their significance to U.S. national security, considering China’s overwhelming market dominance. Maslin highlights plans for AI-driven production, scaling from hundreds to thousands of tonnes, and reviving American manufacturing through local talent and innovation.

Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valar Atomics, discusses innovative modular fission reactors aimed at transforming America's energy landscape. JC Btaiche from Fuse shares groundbreaking advances in fusion technology, likening strategies to those of SpaceX. Investor Packy McCormick ties these developments to the AI era, asserting that energy-rich businesses will dominate. They delve into the competitive pressures from China, the regulatory landscape, and the vital link between sustainable energy and AI's insatiable demands, while debunking common myths about nuclear energy.

Henry Ward, CEO of Carta, leads a company revolutionizing equity management with nearly $500M in ARR. He shares insights on raising $1B while pivoting towards private equity and private credit. Ward discusses the value of focusing on small niche markets to enable expansion and how AI is transforming both customer experiences and internal productivity. He emphasizes measuring inputs over outputs and navigating the complexities of selling to diverse clients. The conversation also touches on Carta’s strategic growth and the future of private equity.

Scott Nolan, Founder & CEO of General Matter and Partner at Founders Fund, discusses America's pressing need to revive its nuclear fuel supply chain. With new investments, including $50 million from Peter Thiel, Nolan aims to develop domestic high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU) production. He explains how the U.S. currently relies heavily on foreign enrichment, especially from Russia. The conversation delves into the interplay between nuclear energy, AI demand, and geopolitical tensions, positioning nuclear as a key to achieving safe and scalable energy for the future.

Christian Garrett, a Partner at 137 Ventures and Co-Founder of the Hill & Valley Forum, dives into the future of AI and reindustrialization. He discusses the major AI summit with leaders like Trump and J.D. Vance and how AI is reshaping industries like mining and energy. Christian highlights the importance of pricing over capital in U.S. mining and the Pentagon's pivotal deal with MP Materials. He also shares insights on the Invest America Act, which aims to create new wealth through investments for every American newborn.

Samir Vasavada, co-founder of Vise and a prodigy in wealth management, shares how he turned a startup dream into a $22 billion powerhouse with just 40 employees. He discusses the revolutionary shift toward personalized, AI-driven investment strategies and explains how Vise helps clients save over $60 million in taxes. Samir dives into the global migration of wealth, the growing demand for alternative assets, and the lessons learned from scaling back his team for stronger growth. Tune in for insight into reshaping the future of finance!

Rune Kvist, CEO & Founder of the Artificial Intelligence Underwriting Company (AIUC) and former product hire at Anthropic, discusses pivotal developments in AI safety. He highlights the urgent need for AI agents to have certification and insurance to build trust among enterprises. Kvist also delves into the implications of superintelligence and the necessity for accountability measures. With a $15M seed funding round, AIUC is set to create standards and audits to mitigate risks, ensuring responsible AI deployment in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Greg Little, Senior Counselor at Palantir, delves into the transformative role AI plays in national defense and the pressing need for America to revitalize its manufacturing. He draws a Game of Thrones parallel to illustrate the competitive landscape within defense tech. The discussion touches on Palantir's pivotal projects with the Navy, the implications of China’s manufacturing dominance, and the importance of innovation in military logistics. Little argues for a paradigm shift in the Pentagon's procurement processes and emphasizes how AI can enhance defense capabilities.