Relentless

Zach Dell and Justin Lopas, co-founders of Base Power, share insights on building their rapidly growing energy startup. They emphasize their 'base pace' for urgent execution and the importance of team-specific metrics. The duo discusses scaling from 40 to 240 employees, evolving product strategies, and overcoming manufacturing challenges. They also highlight balancing intensity with focus, the value of customer feedback, and maintaining a flat, open culture. Their commitment to lowering electricity costs remains a vital part of their mission.

Clem Delangue, Co-founder and CEO of Hugging Face, shares his vision for democratizing AI through open-source robotics, featuring the Richie Mini. He emphasizes the significance of affordable, community-driven tools in AI development. Clem discusses the need for transparency in robotics to reduce fears and advocates for a future filled with specialized models rather than a few giants. He highlights China's surprising lead in open-source contributions and emphasizes collaboration over competition to drive innovation in AI.

In a captivating chat, Ben Wilson, creator of 'How To Take Over The World' and historian, dives into the mindsets of conquerors and founders. He explores how modern leaders mirror historical figures like Napoleon, blending finance with power. The conversation touches on the delicate balance of risk and strategy in building legacy, the value of worthy adversaries, and the necessity of creating chaos for innovation. Sporting a unique view on obsession, Ben advocates for relentless focus as a cornerstone of greatness—an addict's pursuit of their true calling.

Lada Nuzhna, Founder and CEO of General Control, specializes in epigenetic therapies for age-related diseases. She shares her fascinating journey from physics to aging research, driven by a passion for extending healthy life. Lada discusses the transformative power of the epigenome and her innovative approach to disease-driving gene expression. With insights on funding, early human trials in China, and the challenges of aging research, she emphasizes the importance of agile biotech teams. Her personal story of growing up in Eastern Ukraine adds depth to her visionary ambitions in longevity.

Shaun Maguire, a Partner at Sequoia Capital, shares insights from his experiences evaluating tech founders and working with Elon Musk. He discusses Elon's unique talent assessment strategies, emphasizing aligning roles with innate skills and promoting rapid responsibility among high performers. Shaun explores the importance of specific traits for startup success, and he reflects on unconventional paths leading to resilience. He also delves into understanding nonlinear companies and the critical role of iterative learning in innovation.

Joshua Browder, founder and CEO of DoNotPay, shares his remarkable journey from a young iPhone jailbreaker to a legal tech pioneer. He discusses how his father's human rights activism shaped his fearless approach to business. Browder highlights the value of hands-on learning in entrepreneurship and the importance of early personal connections to problems. He gives insights into his unique company philosophy, prioritizing profitability and ethical impact, while also sharing anecdotes about interviewing Warren Buffett and living in the historic Facebook house.

Ariana Thacker, cofounder and CEO of Moldco, shares her journey from personal mold-related illness to developing a virtual clinic for effective treatment. She discusses the overlooked nature of mold illnesses, highlighting genetic susceptibility and the chronic impacts of exposure. Ariana explains her three-step clinical protocol and the importance of treating the majority first. Additionally, she addresses how mold can affect mental health, metabolism, and the need for greater public awareness, all while sharing insights on scaling healthcare solutions in the mold space.

Max Lobovsky, cofounder and CEO of Formlabs, shares insights on leading a top 3D printing startup. He discusses the rollercoaster ride of their successful Kickstarter campaign and the challenges of early manufacturing. Max opens up about the existential patent lawsuit and the strategic decisions that shaped Formlabs, including product-market tradeoffs and a focus on problem-solving over technical vanity. He also delves into team dynamics, hiring smart individuals, and building supplier relationships, reflecting on the evolving landscape of global manufacturing.

David Zagaynov, co-founder and CEO of Poseidon, delves into the future of air cargo logistics. He shares insights from his Amazon background and the significance of lowering costs for air transport. Discussing the advantages of unmanned cargo planes, he argues that removing pilots can dramatically cut operational expenses. David reveals exciting timelines for testing innovative seaplane prototypes and how they aim to revolutionize regional air market dynamics. With a focus on dual-use applications, he explains how Poseidon's approach could transform logistics from the ground up.

Saif Khawaja, Co-founder and CEO of Shinkei Systems, revolutionizes seafood processing with the Poseidon fish-harvesting robot. He discusses how traditional methods harm fish quality and explains the humane ike-jime technique used by the robot to extend shelf life. Khawaja shares insights into the demand for high-quality seafood from top restaurants and the importance of traceability in creating a 'Ceremony Grade' standard. He also reflects on celebrating fishermen’s craft and emphasizes the need for transparency in the food industry.