Founders in Arms

Will new advancements in biotech soon help us treat rare diseases? Immad and Raj explore this question with Nicole Paulk, Founder and CEO of Siren Biotechnology, who shares how viral gene therapy has the potential to cure a wide variety of illnesses. The conversation explores the biotech field at large, how viral gene therapy works, and what medical treatments will look like in the near future. Listen in for an engaging conversation about the impact this emerging technology may have on our healthcare experiences.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:05:27 - Viral Gene Therapy00:11:17 - Universal Gene Therapy Concept00:13:58 - Applications in Cancer Treatment and Common Diseases00:16:17 - Development Challenges00:19:46 - Insulin Production00:21:13 - Viral Gene Therapy Industry00:24:03 - FDA's Role in Gene Therapy Development00:30:21 - Potential of Viral Gene Therapy00:34:07 - Biotech Company Paths and Acquisitions00:38:39 - Future of Cancer Treatment00:42:33 - Futuristic Possibilities in Viral Gene Therapy

In this episode, Imamd and Raj interview Loewen Cavill, Cofounder and CEO of Amira. Loewen is an expert in women’s healthcare, particularly as it relates to menopause. This conversation explores how societal taboos around menopause have stymied the creation of health products and treatments, how our hormonal systems impact our health, what role AI and biowearables will play in the future of women’s healthcare, and much more. Tune in for a detailed conversation on new innovations in biomedical engineering and the future of women’s healthcare.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:45 - Amira and the Terra System00:06:47 - Predicting Hot Flashes00:08:24 - Future Plans for Hormonal Imbalance Treatment00:09:48 - Understanding Bioelectricity00:11:20 - Amira's Product Availability and Impact00:13:04 - Hot Flashes00:16:35 - Women's Health00:20:51 - The Potential of Sweat Analysis00:26:15 - Inspirational Products in Women's Health00:29:23 - The Future of Women's Health Products00:32:27 - Complexity of Women's Hormonal System00:34:24 - Healthcare Systems and Menopause00:40:06 - Amira's Business Model and Self-Pay00:41:21 - The Taboo Nature of Menopause00:42:12 - Amira's Go-to-Market Strategy00:44:23 - AI and Women’s Healthcare

In this episode, Imamd and Raj interview Sam D’Amico, Founder and CEO of Impulse Labs. Sam shares the technology behind Impulse Labs’ innovative, powerful cooktop that touts faster cooking times and energy efficiency. This discussion investigates why traditional appliances have been slow to change over the past 50 years, and how new developments in in-home battery technology are allowing homeowners to save money on their electricity consumption. Tune in to learn more about cutting-edge advancements in kitchen appliances and energy optimization.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:41 - Impulse Labs Origin00:05:59 - Comparing Induction and Gas Stoves00:06:42 - Battery Integration and Installation00:08:08 - High-Power Cooking and Temperature Sensing00:10:03 - Smart Appliances and Market Impact00:13:47 - Manufacturing and Distributing Hardware00:15:05 - Energy Savings and Battery Functionality00:18:06 - Marketing and Industry Attention00:20:46 - Copycats and Unique Selling Points00:22:27 - Backup Power System and Energy Rates00:30:44 - Consumer Electronics Manufacturing00:35:04 - Future of Smart Appliances and Home Energy00:37:08 - Hardware Startup Costs00:38:08 - Future Home Innovations and HVAC Changes00:42:31 - Future of the Power Grid

In this episode of the Curiosity Podcast, Immad and Raj explore the next evolution of education with Austen Allred, Co-Founder and CEO of BloomTech. Austen shares his unlikely journey to founding an education start-up, and how our current education system is failing students. This conversation explores how to mitigate the risks inherent with pursuing a degree, changing trends in student behavior, and how AI will change tomorrow’s education and programming landscape. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on the future of computer science education.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Intro[00:07:25] Prolific writing and reading[00:10:18] Learning to code in Silicon Valley[00:14:22] Life-changing income transformations[00:17:29] AI revolution in engineering[00:24:40] Predispositions to programming[00:27:30] Learning to code through trial[00:30:40] Career orientation vs. social life[00:34:20] Rethinking Traditional Education[00:38:16] Rethinking the value of degrees[00:44:29] Struggles and triumphs of fatherhood[00:45:47] Life-changing job offers.[00:50:20] How AI is transforming job search[00:56:23] Programming and AI integration[00:58:42] The evolving role of engineering

On this episode of the Curiosity Podcast, Immad and Raj explore the challenges facing San Francisco’s local politics with Sachin Agarwal and Steven Buss, co-founders of GrowSF. GrowSF is a nonprofit aiming to influence the local politics of San Francisco by informing and mobilizing voters. The discussion begins with a look back at how San Francisco’s most pervasive issues (homelessness, housing shortages, crime, etc) first arose and the impact they have had on residents. While faced with a difficult battle ahead, Sachin and Steven share their steadfast belief in the people of San Francisco and their hope for the city’s future. Tune in to explore San Francisco’s city governance and GrowSF’s efforts to drive positive change in the community.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Intro[00:02:13] The influence of small groups[00:06:47] Local governance vs. national politics[00:10:33] Challenges facing San Francisco[00:14:39] Local Elections in San Francisco[00:18:10] San Francisco's far left contingent[00:23:39] Unifying Bay Area governments[00:26:37] Creating a “Rule of Law” city[00:29:06] Insufficient public schools[00:34:03] Public safety and traffic concerns[00:37:26] Political factions[00:41:23] Voter behavior analysis[00:44:19] Politics in democratic societies[00:49:00] Fixing voting issues[00:54:21] Crime in San Francisco[00:56:05] High stakes in democracy

In this episode, Immad and Raj discuss the emerging field of zero net carbon fuels with Prometheus Fuels Founder and CEO, Rob McGinnis. Rob shares the process for removing CO2 from the air and converting it into fuels that can power planes, automobiles, and much more. Tune in to learn how this new development may one day change the future of energy and transportation.[00:00:00] Intro[00:04:29] Prometheus and Process[00:07:30] Liquid fuel and energy infrastructure[00:11:13] Electrolyzer and carbon chains[00:13:38] Nanotube membrane filtration[00:18:59] Renewable gasoline and uncertainty[00:19:31] Liquid e-fuels and battery alternatives[00:23:20] Electrochemical stack advancements[00:27:26] Solving energy grid challenges[00:30:22] Underutilized solar and wind resources[00:33:08] The cost of RNG and hydrogen[00:36:09] Scaling up renewables quickly[00:41:18] Energy security and climate change[00:43:26] Taking on ambitious challenges[00:49:13] Burying carbon in the ground[00:54:09] United States senior level conversations[00:57:37] Geopolitical battles in clean energy[01:00:06] Solid-state batteries and electrification[01:04:19] Energy sources and origins[01:06:24] Solving climate change through technology[01:10:13] Capital and future bets[01:14:36] Government involvement in technologies

In this episode, Immad and Raj discuss biotechnology with Hannu Rajaniemi, Founder and CEO of Helix Nanotechnologies. Hannu shares the potential of mRNA as a platform for various applications, including lab-grown meat, cancer treatment, and customized vaccines. Hannu’s broad thinking and ability to tie biotech to social impact make for an engaging conversation that highlights the exciting potential of mRNA technology.Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Timestamps:00:02:02 Intro00:08:52 Nanorobotics and future possibilities00:11:05 Modeling Biological functions00:16:04 AI design for immunotherapy00:22:02 Protein synthesis process00:26:29 Turning cells into protein factories00:30:00 mRNA modifications and antiviral sensors00:32:24 mRNA manufacturing and IP disputes00:36:26 Liquid biopsies for early cancer detection00:40:24 Using mRNA for cultured meat00:45:09 Protein structure prediction00:49:05 Evolution of SARS-CoV-200:52:19 The deadliness of viruses00:55:55 mRNA wearable and global immune system01:02:26 Storing information through viruses01:04:07 Exponential technology and genetics

Delian Asparouhov, Co-Founder of Varda Space Industries, discusses the potential of space manufacturing, economic incentives for human presence in space, pharmaceutical applications, market potential, and the challenges of atmospheric reentry. The conversation provides insights into the future of space tech entrepreneurship and the innovative opportunities in space manufacturing.

In this episode, Immad and Raj interview Maxwell Brodie, the Co-Founder and CEO of Rain Industries. Maxwell share how Rain and other tech pioneers are leveraging new technology, such as early detection and autonomous vehicles, to curb the increasing threat of wildfires by rapidly reducing response time. With wildfires becoming more severe and widespread, this conversation delves into innovative solutions being developed to combat this issue that affects millions of people living in areas at high risk. Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Time stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:05:49 Rapid advancement of wildfire technology.00:11:49 Autonomous aircraft for wildfire suppression.00:30:16 Why new technology is critical to fighting wildfires.00:35:03 Wildfires are a global climate issue.00:41:07 Adapting to climate change challenges.00:44:15 Developing multiple solutions.00:49:27 Early detection technology for wildfires.

Join Immad and Rajat for an in-depth discussion at the intersection of science and art as they chat Cristóbal Valenzuela, CEO and Co-Founder at Runway. Runway’s technology is revolutionizing creativity by leveraging AI to create photorealistic motion pictures. In this episode, Cristóbal shares how AI will enable more creativity through augmentation, some of the ethical concerns of AI filmmaking, and how new technology will allow the next generation of filmmakers to share stories we’ve never seen before.Follow the Curiosity Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiositypod101/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curiosity_podcast101?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CuriosityPodcast Substack: https://curiositypodcast.substack.com/ Time stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:05:23 Tools for augmenting human imagination00:10:36 Creativity is an exploration process00:14:48 The future of creative tools00:23:40 Creative explosion through AI augmentation.00:26:00 Positives and negatives of Deepfakes00:29:17 Early stages of video generation technology00:34:00 Equipping teams with the right tools00:40:09 Benefits of collaboration00:42:52 Long-term, value-driven bets00:47:38 How technology will revolutionize art