This debate centers around the necessity and implications of deep sea mining, featuring Oliver Gunasekra advocating for its potential benefits and Victor Vescovo expressing skepticism regarding its environmental impact and economic viability. The discussion covers various aspects including environmental responsibility, the essential nature of deep sea minerals, economic viability, technological feasibility, and regulatory frameworks. Audience questions further explore concerns about environmental impacts, noise pollution, and the socio-economic implications for local communities. As global demand for critical metals surges, deep sea mining has become one of the most promising — and polarizing — topics in the clean energy transition. Join Oliver Gunasekara, CEO & Co-Founder of Impossible Metals, and Victor Vescovo, Founder and CEO of Caladan Capital LLC, for a live debate on whether responsible seabed resource collection is essential to meeting the world’s growing need for metals. The discussion will be moderated by Eric Young, Host of the Elements of Deep Sea Mining Podcast. Expect a lively exchange on the future of critical minerals: Which metals truly matter for electrification? Can advances in battery technology reduce the need for new sources — or is deep sea mining indispensable? Are the financial projections driving this emerging industry realistic, and how do they compare to those of traditional terrestrial mining? The debate will also explore the broader geopolitical and economic context — including China’s dominance in global metal processing — and whether sustainable deep sea mining can strengthen supply chain security while minimizing environmental impact. Eric Young is a researcher focused on the ethical and practical trade-offs in developing critical mineral supply chains. He hosts The Elements of Deep Sea Mining, a podcast created to bridge the gap between polarized opinions and the complex facts of seabed mineral development, aiming to increase the flow of information and encourage constructive discussion. Oliver Gunasekara is a serial entrepreneur with more than thirty years of experience building and scaling technology companies. At ARM, he led mobile business development during a decade of explosive growth—from 0% to over 95% market share—and later drove key acquisitions as VP of Corporate Business Development, including Falanx, whose Mali GPU became the world’s top-shipping graphics processor. He went on to found NGCodec, a pioneer in cloud video acceleration, where he served as CEO, raised over $15 million, and secured major customers such as Amazon/Twitch before its acquisition by AMD in 2019. In 2020, Oliver founded Impossible Metals, serving as its CEO. Oliver holds a B.S. (Honors) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Greenwich, a Mini-MBA from Stanford’s AeA Executive Institute, and is the inventor of multiple patents. Victor L. Vescovo is a private investor with over thirty years of experience in complex business and operational environments. He co-founded Insight Equity in 2002, raising more than $1.5 billion across four funds focused on industrial and asset-intensive sectors. As Chief Operating Officer, he specialized in defense, aerospace, and electronics, leading operational turnarounds. In 2023, he left Insight to pursue independent investments in industrial innovation, life sciences, and venture capital. He holds degrees from Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar. A former U.S. Navy Reserve Commander, he served twenty years as an intelligence and targeting officer. An accomplished explorer, Victor completed the Explorer’s Grand Slam, climbing the highest peak on each continent and skiing to both poles. He has led record-setting dives to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, explored seventeen deep-ocean trenches, and conducted missions to the Titanic and historic WWII wrecks, including the USS Johnston and USS Samuel B. Roberts. A licensed pilot and certified submersible test pilot, he also flew into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, becoming the first person to climb Everest, dive to the ocean’s deepest point, and travel to space. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tradingoff.substack.com
