EPISODE
Casey Handmer, Growing Daniel, JD Ross, Josie Zayner, Scott Shapiro, Laurence Allen
00:01:00 Casey Handmer is a physicist-engineer and entrepreneur who earned a PhD in theoretical physics from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory before founding Terraform Industries to build large-scale systems that convert sunlight and air into synthetic hydrocarbons.
00:02:00 Growing Daniel, a tech industry commentator, discusses the importance of moral discernment in technology development, emphasizing that creators should strive to build products beneficial to society. He critiques the trend of funding ventures like gambling apps, arguing that such investments prioritize profit over societal well-being. Daniel also highlights the need for self-reflection among tech leaders, urging them to consider the ethical implications of their innovations.
00:03:00 JD Ross, co-founder of Opendoor and With Coverage, discusses his transition from real estate to the insurance industry, emphasizing the importance of aligning business incentives with customer needs. He highlights the value of offering return policies in home buying to build trust and ensure product quality, and shares insights on integrating AI into business operations to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
00:04:00 Josie Zayner, a biohacker and founder of Embryo Core, is pioneering gene editing to create novel life forms, including a literal unicorn. In the conversation, Zayner describes animals as the "software of reality" and expresses frustration with the slow pace of scientific progress, leading to the establishment of a startup focused on advancing gene editing technologies. Despite technical difficulties during the interview, Zayner's enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of genetic engineering was evident.
00:05:00 Scott Shapiro, a former product leader at Facebook and Google, joined Coinbase in 2019 to lead the core consumer app product team, aiming to make cryptocurrency more accessible. In the conversation, he discusses Coinbase's launch of a new platform for individual investors to purchase digital tokens before they are listed on its exchange, with Monad being the first to sell its digital coin on this platform. He emphasizes the platform's focus on retail investors, the improved regulatory environment, and the commitment to quality over quantity in token offerings.
00:06:00 Laurence Allen, CEO of Terranova and a recent UC Berkeley graduate, discusses his company's innovative approach to combating land subsidence and flooding by using terraforming robots to inject wood chip slurry underground, effectively raising land levels. This method offers a cost-effective solution for areas like San Rafael, California, which face significant flood risks due to subsidence. Allen also highlights Terranova's recent $7 million seed funding led by Congruent Ventures, aiming to expand their projects in flood prevention and wetland restoration.