Deep Tech Catalyst The Scenarionist

Host: Nicola Marchese
Guest: Eugenio Cantuarias
#DeepTechCatalyst



Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our ⁠educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠


KEY THEMES COVERED:



1. Defining Company Vision and Strategic Direction: Discusses the importance for founders to clearly define their ambition and the type of company they aim to build, whether it's an R&D platform, a manufacturing hub, or a vertically integrated operation.

2. Transition from Prototype to Production: Explores the steps required to scale a deep tech product from TRL 3 to industrial production, emphasizing the move from laboratory conditions to manufacturing facilities.

3. Strategic Manufacturing Choices: Deliberates on whether deep tech companies should engage directly in manufacturing or outsource this aspect, based on the founder’s vision and the strategic goals of the company.

4. Navigating Sales and Distribution: Addresses the strategies for introducing products to the market, including the initial direct sales from the lab and the transition to larger-scale production and distribution.

5. Financing and Investment Strategies: Analyzes different financing options for deep tech startups as they grow, contrasting the needs and opportunities for companies that are at various stages of product development and market entry.

6. Impact and Market Value: Considers how deep tech companies, especially those in climate tech, can measure and valorize their environmental impact to enhance their market value and attract investors and partners.


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- ⁠⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠⁠
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#entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital #industry #tech #strategy

Host: Nicola Marchese
Guest: Carlota Ochoa Neven Du Mont
#DeepTechCatalyst



Don't miss the ⁠⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠


KEY THEMES COVERED:



1. What is a First-Of-A-Kind (FOAK) in the Context of TRL? The episode differentiates between the stages of prototype, pilot, and FOAK, detailing the TRL progression from lab-scale prototypes (TRL 4-5) to pilot plants (TRL 6) and finally to FOAK demonstration units (TRL 7-8).

2. Differences Between Pilot and FOAK Stages: It highlights varying company approaches to prototype and pilot development, the importance of third-party engineering firms based on technology complexity, and the cost-benefit analysis of in-house versus external engineering development.

3. Optimizing Funding Strategies for Deep Tech Startups: The discussion covers the transition from grant funding to private investment, typical funding splits at different stages (prototype, pilot, and FOAK), and the potential to leverage venture debt through early commercial traction and off-take agreements.

4. Understanding Venture Debt: The episode contrasts Venture Capital with Venture Debt, describing Venture Debt's characteristics and benefits for startups, its seniority in the capital stack, and its impact on company financials.

5. Impact of FOAK on Valuation: It explains how achieving FOAK de-risks technology, significantly boosts valuation, facilitates access to infrastructure financing, and increases investor interest.

6. Strategic Considerations for FOAK Development: The discussion emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive financing plan for FOAK projects, the role of technical demonstrations in enhancing investor confidence, and the potential for substantial growth and funding opportunities following FOAK achievements.


MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST:

- ⁠Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.⁠
- ⁠Stay in the loop with our latest news.⁠
- ⁠Let’s connect.⁠


#entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital #FOAK #climatetech

Host: Nicola Marchese
Guest: Chris Burk
#DeepTechCatalyst



Don't miss the ⁠⁠full video podcast⁠ on our educational platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!





KEY THEMES COVERED:



1. The importance of Techno-economic Analysis (TEA): Techno-economic analysis (TEA) is crucial for deep tech founders as it combines technical and financial inputs to evaluate the economic viability of new technologies, distinguishing them from financial models.



2. Components of Technoeconomic Models: Techno-economic models consist of technical inputs like lab measurements and engineering assumptions, and financial inputs including costs and pricing, leading to outputs like capital costs, operating costs, and potential revenue.



3. TEA vs Market Analysis: While TEA focuses on the economic viability of product production, market analysis assesses the product’s market size and pricing. Both analyses are interrelated and essential for determining production scale and price points.



4. Early Application and Strategic Planning: Integrating techno-economic analysis early in the project development process helps founders ensure their technology is commercially viable and aligns with investor expectations, guiding strategic decisions and timing.



5. A Case Study: A company used TEA early on to evaluate the economic feasibility of producing a new amino acid, leading to strategic decisions on production scale and R&D focus based on market size and cost efficiency.



6. How to Approach a TEA Model: Building a TEA model starts with accessible data and evolves through sensitivity analyses and consulting existing reports. This approach helps prioritize which cost elements to focus on, streamlining the development of a robust economic model.




MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST:

- Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more.
- Stay in the loop with our latest news.
- Let’s connect.




#entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital

Host: Nicola Marchese
Guest: Ryan Lewis
#DeepTechCatalyst



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Don't miss the ⁠full video podcast⁠ on our educational platform⁠⁠⁠!
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KEY THEMES COVERED:



1. Product or Feature Dependency: Exploring how deep tech innovations must translate into real-world applications for customers and the challenges founders face in demonstrating this.

2. Cost of Acquiring Customers: Discussing the importance of understanding the total cost of change or adoption for potential customers, particularly in deep tech where technology adoption requires significant changes.

3. Engagement Strategies with Customers: Highlighting the necessity for startups to explore multiple engagement strategies with customers, avoiding 'all-or-nothing' scenarios, and finding various entry points to de-risk the business.

4. Advantages of Multiple Customers for VCs: Addressing the risks associated with over-reliance on a single customer and emphasizing the importance of developing additional partnerships to ensure scalability and long-term success.

5. Relationship Between Founders and Investors: Exploring the importance of transparency, communication, and trust between founders and investors, highlighting the iterative nature of early-stage business development and decision-making.

6. Discussing Deep Tech Trend in the US: Analyzing the factors driving the growth of deep tech investments, including shifts in market dynamics, increased R&D investment from corporations, and changes in the funding landscape.



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MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST:

- Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more: https://www.thescenarionist.org/
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#entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital

Host: Nicola Marchese
Guest: Gayathri Radhakrishnan
#DeepTechCatalyst

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Don't miss the full video podcast on our educational platform⁠!
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KEY THEMES COVERED:

1. Invention vs. Innovation: Explore the distinction between an invention (a new technology or breakthrough) and innovation (the application of an invention to improve outcomes in daily life).

2. Customer Development and Market Fit: The importance of identifying the customer, understanding their needs, and developing products that address specific pain points is discussed.

3. Engaging with Corporates for Innovation: Strategies for scientists and innovators to engage with large corporations are outlined, particularly through corporate open innovation arms that help integrate external innovations.

4. Building for Multiple Customers: The risks of developing a product too specifically for one customer are noted. The benefits of creating solutions that address the needs of multiple customers to avoid becoming overly dependent on a single client are emphasized.

5. Business Scalability and Exit Strategies: The conversation covers strategies for scaling a business, including building products that appeal to a broad market. Different exit strategies, such as IPOs and acquisitions, are discussed, underlining the importance of making the business attractive to potential buyers or for public offering.

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MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST:

- Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more: https://www.thescenarionist.org/
- Stay in the loop with our latest news: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thescenarionist/
- Let’s connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmarchese-md/

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#entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital

Welcome back to Deep Tech Catalyst, the channel by The Scenarionist where science meets venture!



Today, we are thrilled to welcome Phil Morle Partner at Main Sequence Ventures!



This chat delves into the concept of the Venture Science, a strategic method to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and viable business ventures.



Host: Nicola Marchese
Guest: Phil Morle
#DeepTechCatalyst

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KEY THEMES COVERED:



1. Introduction to Venture Science: The episode introduces the Venture Science Canvas, designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and venture capital.

2. The Four Pillars of Founding a Deep Tech Team: The discussion emphasizes the crucial roles of various founders (executive, research, industry, and venture) in a deep tech company, highlighting their essential contributions to the venture's success.

3. Challenges of Commercializing Science: It addresses the challenges scientists face when moving from academic research to commercial ventures, such as adapting to venture capital dynamics and changing mindsets for commercial success.

4. Case Study: Plastic Waste Management: A case study of a company addressing plastic waste is presented, showcasing the application of the Venture Science Canvas, detailing the formation of the company, the roles of founders, and their strategic approach.

5. Future Shock Canvas and Long-term Planning: The Future Shock Canvas tool is introduced, aiding founders in visualizing and planning for the long-term impacts of their technology in the market, encouraging them to think beyond the immediate technical achievements.
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MORE ABOUT THE SCENARIONIST:

- Discover all the episodes, trends analysis, and more: https://www.thescenarionist.org/
- Stay in the loop with our latest news: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thescenarionist/
- Let’s connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmarchese-md/

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#entrepreneurship #startups #deeptech #venturecapital