Sachin and Adam

Our conversation with Carrie von Muench, co-founder & COO of Pacific Fusion. Pacific Fusion is building mass-manufacturable nuclear fusion, aiming for net facility gain by 2030.

Carrie was so impressed after meeting the team that she left the world of investing to join as a founding member.

Thanks to our sponsor Notion for supporting our mission of telling technology stories that matter. They are a significant reason why this is possible. Sign up for 3 months free of Notion for Business.

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We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Extended: Our entire, uncut interview with Tuhin Srivastava (@tuhinone), co-founder & CEO of $13B inference company @baseten.

• 0:03:30 — Stop renting your intelligence
• 0:05:00 — The internet runs on open protocols, AI should too
• 0:07:10 — The one-model era is already over?
• 0:13:20 — Anthropic & OpenAI: "Everything becomes an input to their API"
• 0:14:00 — Why locking up AI is anti-American
• 0:22:30 — Inference will likely 1000x from here
• 0:24:00 — A multi-$100B company, and why he refuses to think about it

Thanks to Lovable for supporting our mission to tell the stories of the people building the future. Build your own AI tools — $5 off your first paid month.

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We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Helping people hear has always been a race against biology. Matt de Jonge, CEO of Fortell, is changing that.

He watched his grandparents drift away at family dinners — present in the room but completely disconnected. He tried to solve it in 2014, got intimidated by how hard the problem was, and gave up. Then a Zoom call during COVID changed everything.

We cover the full landscape: why he walked away from finance because it felt dystopian, how a chance meeting with Josh Kushner almost became a hospital company, why he pitched a better hearing aid two weeks after telling his investor they were quitting, what it actually took to squeeze a massive AI into something that fits behind your ear in milliseconds, why his biggest nightmare isn't failing but growing too fast and blowing the trust, and what it will take to bring this technology to the 1.5 billion people who need it.

This conversation covers:

• Why Matt felt he gave up on his grandparents — and what brought him back
• How a COVID Zoom call changed everything
• Why Josh Kushner initially pitched them on a technology hospital
• Why Matt felt guilty working in finance
• How Fortell scales a $6,800 device beyond billionaires
• What keeps Matt up at night about going too fast

Thanks to our sponsor Notion for supporting our mission of telling technology stories that matter. They are a significant reason why this is possible. Sign up for 3 months free of Notion for Business.

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We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Curing disease has always been a race against time. Josh Meier, co-founder of Chai Discovery, is changing that. He's training AI on the language of DNA and proteins to compress drug design from years to hours.

We cover the full landscape: why people initially said this was impossible, how a 30-person team built a $4B startup, why "turning GPUs into drugs" became his mission, what he'd cure right now, and what it will take to bring AI-designed medicines to the world.

None of this would be possible without our sponsor Vanta. As we've scaled, security and compliance became critical. Vanta automates compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) so companies can focus on building. They're actively supporting startups and helping founders build trust from day one. Check out vanta.com/sachinandadam.

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We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Quantum computing has been "almost here" for decades. PsiQuantum's co-founder Pete Shadbolt tells us exactly when that changes — and why his $7B company raised $2.3 billion before building a single useful machine. We cover the full landscape: what every quantum company is racing toward, why most won't get there, and what happens to the world when someone does.

Thanks to our sponsor Notion for supporting our mission of telling technology stories that matter. They are a significant reason why this is possible. Sign up for 3 months free of Notion for Business.

• 🚀 LinkedIn
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We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

Runway started by building AI tools for filmmakers. Today, the major studios run on it — and the same models are now learning to simulate the real world, training robots and pointing toward a new kind of AI entirely.

We sat down with Anastasis Germanidis, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Runway, at their New York office to trace how three self-described "failed filmmakers" built one of the most competitive video AI labs in the world on a fraction of the compute of the big players — and where world models go from here.

None of this would be possible without our sponsor Vanta. As we've scaled, security and compliance became critical. Vanta automates compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) so companies can focus on building. They're actively supporting startups and helping founders build trust from day one. Check out vanta.com/sachinandadam.

• 🚀 LinkedIn
• 🐦 X
• 📸 Instagram

We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Dell, co-founder and CEO of Base Power — the Austin-based energy company backed by Addition, a16z, Lightspeed, and Thrive Capital, and last valued at $13 billion.

Zach shares Base's mission to build America's next great energy company: replacing stale incumbents not through government entrenchment, but through a cult of speed, self-funded R&D, and a better product. From quitting a job in venture capital and meeting his co-founder on a factory tour at Anduril, to raising $1B and turning every home into a piece of grid infrastructure, Zach offers a rare look at what it actually takes to rebuild American energy.

None of this would be possible without our sponsor Vanta. They support our mission of telling technology stories that matter. As startups scale, security and compliance becomes critical. Vanta automates compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA) so companies can focus on building. They're actively supporting startups and helping founders build trust from day one. Check out vanta.com/sachinandadam.

• 🚀 LinkedIn
• 🐦 X
• 📸 Instagram

We are two best friends, trying to build a community around in-depth interviews and short documentaries with the best minds in technology and startups. Through bold storytelling and candid conversations, we explore how visionary thinkers are shaping a positive future. The best way to support is subscribing — truly it makes all the difference for us 💙

In today’s episode, we sit down with Xavier Collins, co-founder of Wonder Studios — the London-based AI film studio backed by Blackbird, LocalGlobe, and angels from OpenAI and DeepMind.Xavier shares Wonder’s mission to become the Pixar of the AI age, democratizing Hollywood-grade production and sparking a global wave of creativity. From supercharging storytelling and navigating venture capital, to blending software with traditional filmmaking and building a 21st-century studio culture, Xavier offers a rare inside look at the future of film.

We dive into:

• How Wonder Studios is bridging Hollywood tradition with AI innovation

• The bet on AI as a creative explosion, not a replacement
• Convincing VCs a studio can be venture-scale
• Unlocking Hollywood-grade production for creators worldwide
• The role of culture, talent, and new creative roles in building a modern studio

00:00 Introduction to the AI Gold Rush

00:19 Meet Xavier Collins of Wonder Studios

00:42 The Future of Storytelling with AI

01:02 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Film Studios

01:34 Building a Unicorn: Culture and Vision

01:51 Audience Engagement and Subscription Drive

02:30 Deep Dive into Wonder Studios' Vision

03:41 The AI Gold Rush Analogy

06:33 Democratizing Hollywood-Grade Production

08:36 VC Skepticism and Conviction

12:11 The Agency Model and Beyond

13:44 Notion Ad

18:39 Lowering Barriers to Hollywood-Grade Animation

21:20 Personal Journey and Creative Collaboration

26:19 The AI Video Landscape

29:40 Advice for Creatives in the Age of AI

32:23 Leveraging Technology in Filmmaking

34:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Scriptwriting

36:32 Impact of AI on the Filmmaking Economy

40:00 Building a 21st Century Studio

42:42 Team Structure and Culture

54:24 Future Goals and Vision

In today’s episode, we’re joined by five leading voices shaping the future of artificial intelligence: Dan Palmer, co-founder of Relevance AI; Michelle Gilmore, CEO and co-founder of Juno; Xharmagne Carandang, founding software engineer at Lorikeet; and Georgie Healy, head of Google’s AI accelerator and host of *In the Blink of AI*. Recorded live at the second-ever AI Roundtable Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the most urgent, surreal, and high-stakes issues in AI today. From billion-dollar bets and VC hype cycles, to AI’s impact on jobs, education, and global competition, the guests share candid insights from their own journeys building in one of the most intense moments in tech history. Listen in for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these founders are navigating ethical dilemmas, rapid product development, market expansion, and staying grounded amid the noise.

Check out their socials:

Daniel Palmer’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-palmer/

Michelle Gilmore’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellejoygilmore/

Xharmagne Carandang’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xharmagne/

Georgie Healy’s: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginahealy/

We dive into:

- The reality of the current AI VC bubble and capital efficiency in hyper-competitive markets

- Why founder expertise, adaptability, and team quality are critical moats in AI

- How AI could become as ubiquitous as electricity—and what that means for pricing, value, and innovation

- The skills and mindsets that will thrive (and those that might disappear) in an AI-first world

- The global race for AI talent and why Sydney, SF, and emerging markets each play a role

- Displacement vs. amplification: the societal impacts of automation and possible safety nets

- The hype vs. product debate—how to cut through noise and build enduring companies

- Storytelling, trust, and the future of marketing in a world where agents make buying decisions

- The advice these founders would give their future selves about building in AI over the next decade

00:00 Introduction

02:37 Round Table Dinner: AI Founders and Leaders

03:19 The Future of AI and Market Dynamics

04:53 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Startups

07:19 The Role of Talent and Capital in AI

09:54 Global Perspectives on AI Development

13:50 Notion Ad

14:36 The Impact of AI on Industries and Society

28:11 Geographical Dispersion and Talent Density

37:35 Challenging Company Culture Norms

38:14 Building Relationships in San Francisco

39:38 Talent Density and Research in Australia

41:24 AI's Impact on Skills and Employment

43:07 The Future of Education and Creativity

8:43 Job Displacement and Economic Shifts

01:03:57 Ethical Concerns and AI Governance

01:14:19 The Importance of Attention in Business

01:14:46 Investor Expectations and Startup Metrics

01:15:42 Challenges of Building a Sustainable Business

01:16:32 Focus on Customers and Incremental Growth

01:17:23 The Role of Hype and Distribution

01:21:05 The New Generation of Founders

01:26:56 The Future of AI and Human Value

01:37:49 Reflections and Advice for the Future

01:44:01 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

Thanks to Notion for sponsoring this episode! Organise your team, projects, and ideas all in one place. Try Notion for free and get started with our special link: https://ntn.so/sachin&adam

In today’s episode, we’re joined by John and Jax, partners at AirTree, to talk about their massive new $650 million fund — a milestone backed by some of the world’s top institutional investors. They break down why global capital is finally paying attention to Australia, how this changes the game for local founders, and what traits they now look for in world-class startups. From the rise of AI-native companies to the evolving VC landscape, this is a must-listen for anyone building in tech.

Check out their socials:

Jonh Henderson:

https://www.airtree.vc/team/john-henderson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhenderson/

Jackie Vullinghs:

https://www.airtree.vc/team/jackie-vullinghs

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvullinghs/

We dive into:

• Why AirTree raised a $650M fund — and what it unlocks for founders
• How global LPs are finally backing Australian venture capital
• The rise of AI-native startups and why they matter now
• What AirTree looks for in early-stage founders today
• The shift toward faster, conviction-led investing
• Why “speed and intensity” beat “balance” in the startup game
• How growth-stage VC is evolving in Australia
• Why AirTree is investing in companies they once missed
• The internal culture driving AirTree’s success
• Predictions for the future of VC and AI-driven business models

00:00 Exciting Announcement: New $650 Million Fund

00:17 The Importance of International Investors

00:52 Meet the Partners: John and Jax

01:13 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Venture Capital

01:23 The Fast-Paced World of VC: Diligence and Conviction

01:49 A Special Message to Our Viewers

02:31 Deep Dive: The New Fund and Its Impact

05:21 Why Australia? Convincing Global Investors

06:28 The Growth of the Australian Tech Ecosystem

09:28 Vanta Ad

12:40 Fund Structure: Seed, Growth, and Co-Investment

18:48 The Role of Growth Funds in the VC Landscape

20:44 Global Trends in Venture Capital

29:47 The Emotional Journey of Building a VC Firm

31:21 Core Ingredients for Venture Scale Business

32:11 Navigating the Nebulous World of AI

33:10 Backing AI Native Entrepreneurs

34:30 Valuation Challenges in the AI Era

35:53 Importance of Founders in AI Startups

43:22 Australian Founders on the Global Stage

46:19 Air Tree's Growth Fund Strategy

49:00 Building a World-Class Team at Air Tree

50:49 Future Vision for Air Tree

55:21 Adapting Investment Strategies

58:36 Continuous Learning and Healthy Debate

01:01:07 Conclusion and Future Outlook