Episode #31: Three Breakthroughs: Why are SMRs (small modular reactors) a thing?
Tech Optimist Podcast — Tech, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
Listen to the latest episode of the Alumni Ventures’ Tech Optimist podcast, where Mike Collins and Matt Caspari uncover three groundbreaking innovations set to revolutionize our approach to technology and energy. They begin with a breakthrough in battery technology for electric air travel, which, inspired by biological processes, has achieved a four-fold increase in the power-to-energy ratio necessary for sustainable flight. The discussion then transitions to the game-changing potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), emphasizing their scalability and environmental benefits as a clean energy solution ideal for diverse applications, including remote areas. Finally, the episode explores OpenAI’s ambitious roadmap towards artificial general intelligence, outlining the transformative steps that could redefine our societal landscape.
Episode #31 – Three Breakthroughs
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This week on the Tech Optimist podcast, join Alumni Ventures’ Mike Collins and Matt Caspari as they cover three exciting breakthroughs:
- A breakthrough in battery technology for electric air travel, which, inspired by biological processes, has achieved a four-fold increase in the power-to-energy ratio necessary for sustainable flight.
- The game-changing potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), emphasizing their scalability and environmental benefits as a clean energy solution ideal for diverse applications, including remote areas.
- OpenAI’s ambitious roadmap towards artificial general intelligence, outlining the transformative steps that could redefine our societal landscape.
Tune in to discover how these innovations are shaping the future.
Watch Time ~24 minutes
The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a “Top 20 Venture Firm” by CB Insights (’24) and as the “#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US” by Pitchbook (’22 & ’23).
READ THE FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Creators and Guests
HOST
Mike Collins
CEO, and Co-Founder at Alumni Ventures
Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is currently CEO of Alumni Ventures Group, the managing company for our fund, and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
GUEST
Matt Caspari
Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures
Matt Caspari is a Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures, where he leads the Deep Tech, Georgetown (Potomac Ventures) and UC Berkeley (Strawberry Creek Ventures) funds. He invests in mission-driven founders developing groundbreaking technologies. His investments encompass a diverse range of sectors, including AI, agriculture, aviation, battery technology, cybersecurity, direct air capture of CO2, energy generation, longevity, and robotics.
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