In this episode of Nothing Ventured, host Aarish Shah welcomes Simon Kohl, founder of Latent Labs, a startup at the forefront of generative models for computational protein design. Simon shares his journey from studying physics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to his pivotal role in DeepMind's AlphaFold projects, where he developed key uncertainty metrics for protein structure predictions. He discusses the recent $50 million Series A funding raised for Latent Labs and its mission to advance AI-driven biotech. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of generative modelling in drug discovery, the significance of presenting ideas effectively, and the importance of agility and decisiveness in fundraising. Tune in to explore the intersection of biology and machine learning, and how it’s shaping the future of scientific innovation.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Nothing Ventured and Guest Background

00:01:25 - Overview of Generative Modeling and Protein Design

00:02:00 - Host Introduction and Podcast Purpose

00:02:49 - Simon Cole's Experience at DeepMind

00:03:40 - AlphaFold's Impact on Computational Biology

00:10:11 - Real-World Implications of AlphaFold

00:13:03 - The Future of Computational Biology

00:16:38 - Transitioning from DeepMind to Latent Labs

00:17:24 - Building a Strong Team Across Locations

00:20:00 - Support from DeepMind and Community Response

00:21:12 - Europe's Role in Scientific Innovation

00:24:37 - Latent Labs' Approach to Drug Discovery

00:29:01 - Fundraising Insights and Challenges

00:31:43 - Nimbleness in Fundraising and Decision Making

00:35:47 - Balancing Conviction and Market Feedback

00:41:05 - Geographic Flexibility and Talent Access

00:45:23 - Cultural Integration Across Locations

00:48:40 - Importance of In-Person Offsites for Team Cohesion

Find Simon Kohl online at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kohl-4840a7124/

Twitter: https: //x.com/saakohl

Latent Labs: https://www.latentlabs.com/

This episode is sponsored by EmergeOne, fractional CFOs for venture backed tech startups from Seed to Series B.

Get in touch at https://emergeone.co.uk/contact-us/ or join the CFO team at https://emergeone.co.uk/join-the-cfo-team/

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