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Activation Energy
Selma Duhovic
54 episodes
1 week ago
Discussions about science, innovation, and impact
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Science
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All content for Activation Energy is the property of Selma Duhovic and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Discussions about science, innovation, and impact
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Science
Episodes (20/54)
Activation Energy
54. William Morris (NuMat) on metal organic frameworks (MOFs)

William Morris of NuMat talks about metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for filtration, separation, and storage of gases, as well as about his journey helping spin out a startup from Northwestern University. Bryce Meredig joins as co-host.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:53) Career path
  • (05:29) NuMat’s origin
  • (06:10) Metal organic frameworks (MOFs)
  • (10:39) Market opportunity
  • (12:16) Partnership models
  • (14:35) Invention to commercialization
  • (16:48) Partnership with Merck
  • (17:32) Technoeconomics
  • (20:39) Market pull
  • (23:07) Market research and customer discovery process
  • (27:08) Challenges
  • (31:46) Culture and team dynamics
  • (33:48) Vision for NuMat
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2 months ago
36 minutes 34 seconds

Activation Energy
53. Mark Warner (Liberation Bio) on scaling biology

Mark Warner of Liberation Bioindustries speaks about the importance of scaling biology and shifting focus from R&D to manufacturing. Adam Lawrence cohosts.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:39) Career 
  • (02:36) Definition of biomanufacturing
  • (03:46) Comparison with chemical manufacturing 
  • (07:14) History and evolution of biomanufacturing 
  • (10:15) Current state of biomanufacturing
  • (13:01) Role of government  
  • (17:49) R&D vs manufacturing
  • (20:10) Ramifications of only R&D focus 
  • (25:40) Financing and technoeconomics
  • (27:27) Workforce development
  • (30:48) Liberation Bioindustries
  • (40:31) Vision of future of US biomanufacturing
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2 months ago
45 minutes 18 seconds

Activation Energy
52. Nádia Parachin (Integra) on industrial biotechnology

Nádia Parachin of Integra discusses industrial biotechnology. Adam Lawrence co-hosts.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:49) Education and career
  • (02:21) Tech transfer and innovation financing in Brazil vs. US
  • (08:52) Industrial biotechnology - definition and advantages
  • (14:33) Key drivers for industrial biotech
  • (16:21) Platform vs Product business models
  • (20:38) Current state of industry
  • (25:59) Examples of success
  • (28:18) Bottlenecks
  • (30:25) Commercialization strategy 
  • (33:15) Lessons learned and advice
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3 months ago
35 minutes 51 seconds

Activation Energy
51. Robert Stoner (Kendall Square Project) on translating academic research into businesses

Robert Stoner of Kendall Square Project and previously of MIT Energy Initiative speaks about licensing as a way to bring academic and scientific research to the market.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:39) Education and career path
  • (07:58) Financing mechanisms for deeptech ventures
  • (12:45) Role of universities
  • (15:34) Licensing
  • (23:11) Role of government
  • (31:03) Scientists turning entrepreneurs
  • (34:31) Translating science into business
  • (38:36) Energy technologies, demand and supply
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6 months ago
47 minutes 34 seconds

Activation Energy
50. David Heller (C16 Biosciences) on biomanufacturing and palm oil alternatives

David Heller of C16 Biosciences speaks about biomanufacturing technology and products and business strategy. Adam Lawrence co-hosts.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:32) Career path
  • (03:13) Origin of C16 Biosciences
  • (07:12) Palm oil agriculture
  • (10:06) C16 Bio’s core technology
  • (11:14) IP strategy
  • (16:22) Products
  • (18:50) Competitors
  • (21:02) Value ecosystem 
  • (24:05) Positioning 
  • (25:32) Criticisms of precision fermentation 
  • (28:56) Technoeconomics and cost drivers
  • (33:25) Resources and inputs
  • (35:27) Capital costs
  • (38:31) Challenges
  • (41:29) GMO
  • (42:15) Regulatory landscape
  • (45:08) Risks
  • (51:17) Vision
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9 months ago
53 minutes 42 seconds

Activation Energy
49. Joško Bobanović (Sofinnova Partners) on industrial biotech and biomanufacturing

Joško Bobanović of Sofinnova Partners speaks about bioeconomy, industrial biotech, and biomanufacturing. Adam Lawrence co-hosts.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:34) Education and career path
  • (02:21) Sofinnova Partners
  • (04:28) Investment strategy
  • (06:34) Terminology
  • (08:45) Industrial biotech history and evolution
  • (14:06) Competitive strategies for bio startups
  • (16:55) End applications – fuels, food, pharmaceuticals, materials
  • (21:23) Value ecosystem and participants
  • (24:57) Drivers
  • (27:15) Business models, platforms, products
  • (33:05) Success stories
  • (36:17) Future of industrial biotech and bioeconomy
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9 months ago
39 minutes 25 seconds

Activation Energy
48. Lee Vinsel (Virginia Tech) and Andrew Russell (SUNY Polytechnic Institute) on the innovation delusion

Lee Vinsel of Virginia Tech and Andrew Russell of SUNY Polytechnic Institute speak about innovation, hype, and the importance of investing in maintenance.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:29) Eduction and career paths
  • (02:20) Origin of and motivation of writing The Innovation Delusion 
  • (04:15) True innovation vs. “innovation speak”
  • (08:42) Higher education and tech transfer/licensing offices
  • (14:59) Clayton Christensen’s discredited research
  • (22:07) True progress and impact
  • (27:00) Pitfalls of disruption for disruption’s sake 
  • (32:09) Importance of focusing on maintenance
  • (37:16) Balancing innovation with maintenance
  • (40:01) Impact of neglecting maintenance
  • (45:54) Vision of the future
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10 months ago
49 minutes 50 seconds

Activation Energy
47. Adrien Côté (Velocity) on scientist-entrepreneurs

Adrien Côté of the Velocity discusses translating science and research into business ventures.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:43) Education and career
  • (03:17) Velocity Incubator
  • (07:50) Successfully incubated ventures 
  • (09:30) Commercialization challenges
  • (11:44) What distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from others
  • (13:20) “Not all founders are entrepreneurs”
  • (15:49) Challenges of transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur 
  • (17:02) Communication 
  • (18:57) Group dynamics
  • (21:15) Leadership
  • (23:15) Role of academia in training scientists to lead
  • (24:48) Evolution of scientific leadership 
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10 months ago
27 minutes 8 seconds

Activation Energy
46. Adam Lawrence (AGL.BIO) on bioeconomy and biomanufacturing

Adam Lawrence of AGL.BIO speaks about bioeconomy and biomanufacturing.

OUTLINE

  • (0:00) Introduction
  • (00:38) Education and career
  • (03:23) Challenges and barriers in biomanufacturing 
  • (04:46) Bioeconomy terminology
  • (08:52) Value of biomanufacturing and comparative advantage 
  • (14:18) Actual and potential mpact
  • (18:12) Chemical companies
  • (19:38) Drivers
  • (20:37) Value ecosystem and participants
  • (23:08) Financing mechanisms
  • (25:17) Mergers and acquisitions 
  • (26:08) Subsegments – fuels, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals
  • (32:01) Waste stream valorization
  • (34:05) Sentiment, stigma, and media
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10 months ago
37 minutes 33 seconds

Activation Energy
45. Charla Triplett (Spine by Design) on medtech entrepreneurship

Charla Triplett of Spine by Design speaks about medtech entrepreneurship and investing.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:42) Education and career  
  • (03:00) Suncoast VC
  • (04:45) Investment thesis
  • (05:44) Portfolio
  • (11:41) Spine by Design
  • (21:39) Medtech innovation and trends
  • (30:22) Regulations and regulatory strategies
  • (36:53) Advice for medtech entrepreneurs 
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11 months ago
41 minutes 47 seconds

Activation Energy
44. Jason Jay (MIT Sloan School of Management) on sustainability and systemic investing

Jason Jay of MIT Sloan School of Management speaks about  sustainability endeavors and systemic investing.

OUTLINE

(00:00) Introduction

(00:33) Career

(04:27) MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative

(10:29) Modeling climate change impact (EnROADS)

(15:30) Emissions and warming

(21:04) Optimizing economic, social, and environmental objectives and trade-offs

(29:03) Public sector’s role in innovation

(37:44) SBIR 

(41:17) Impact of academia

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11 months ago
48 minutes 17 seconds

Activation Energy
43. Aleksandra Gosiewski (Keel Labs) on biopolymers

Aleksandra Gosiewski of Keel Labs talks about harnessing the ocean to create biobased materials.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:50) Education and career path
  • (01:39) Origin of Keel Labs
  • (03:45) Sustainability
  • (05:37) Offshoring
  • (07:23) Technology and product
  • (08:14) Manufacturing
  • (13:47) Material performance
  • (15:38) Biodegradability
  • (16:46) Economics
  • (17:50) Traction
  • (18:46) Value ecosystem
  • (20:53) Impact
  • (24:11) Suppliers
  • (25:02) Challenges 
  • (27:06) Risks
  • (28:55) Vision and exit strategy


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11 months ago
31 minutes 9 seconds

Activation Energy
42. Tanya Ramond (Sapienne Consulting) on deeptech commercialization

Dr. Tanya Ramond of Sapienne Consulting talks about deeptech ventures and commercialization strategies.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:45) Career path
  • (03:50) Transitioning from academia to industry
  • (05:17) Transitioning from corporation to startups
  • (08:06) From PhD to MBA 
  • (13:15) Definition of deeptech
  • (14:56) Dual opportunities – ROI and impact
  • (16:57) Risks and uncertainties 
  • (19:26) Mitigating risks
  • (23:53) Quantifying returns and impact  
  • (26:00) Resources
  • (28:02) Colorado deeptech ecosystem
  • (31:55) Product-Market fit
  • (34:17) Traps founders fall into
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1 year ago
37 minutes 6 seconds

Activation Energy
41. Fred Rostami (GreenLIB) on battery materials recovery

Fred Rostami of GreenLIB talks about recovering and recycling materials from lithium batteries.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:33) Fred’s career path
  • (01:21) GreenLIB’s elevator pitch
  • (01:55) Common and state-of-the-art battery materials recovery tech
  • (03:42) Technical and economic challenges associated with materials recovery
  • (04:43) Recovery vs. recycling
  • (05:16) Recovery/Recycling vs. extraction of new materials
  • (07:06) Innovations in improving efficacy and efficiency of materials recovery
  • (08:14) Factors that make innovation slow
  • (08:58) GreenLIB’s technology
  • (12:52) Regulatory environment
  • (14:29) Commercialization 
  • (17:26) GreenLIB’s team
  • (20:52) Entrepreneurial journey
  • (22:03) Challenges, uncertainties, risks
  • (23:58) Mistakes
  • (26:01) Fun aspects of being an entrepreneur
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1 year ago
27 minutes 19 seconds

Activation Energy
40. Jaehee Sweeney (BEI) on energy storage and batteries

Jaehee Sweeney of BEI talks about battery technologies, including BEI's products.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:26) Career path
  • (04:12) Energy storage
  • (07:38) Lithium-based batteries
  • (10:17) Lithium metal batteries
  • (11:39) Ideal battery
  • (12:32) BEI technology
  • (13:32) Distinctiveness and stage of BEI batteries
  • (15:59) Comparison with current solutions 
  • (16:04) Charging characteristics of BEI batteries 
  • (17:38) Safety characteristic
  • (18:55) Scalability of manufacturing
  • (19:05) Commercialization and adoption
  • (20:30) Prohibiting factors
  • (20:52) Battery value ecosystem
  • (22:53) Market opportunity
  • (23:24) Uncertainties and risks
  • (23:44) Risk mitigation
  • (24:25) Impact


Show more...
1 year ago
26 minutes 37 seconds

Activation Energy
39. Jeff Rosedale (BakerHostetler) on deeptech and IP

Jeff Rosedale of BakerHostetler speaks about how deeptech entrepreneurs can navigating the IP landscape and integrate IP with business strategy.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:25) Jeff’s professional background
  • (04:10) Dialogue between scientific advancements and legal frameworks
  • (07:22) How law firms are addressing evolving technologies
  • (09:05) Emerging trends
  • (11:13) Integrating IP and business strategy
  • (14:59) How startups can effectively maneuver IP landscape
  • (16:52) Valuing IP
  • (20:07) Examples of how valuation affects growth and outcome
  • (21:56) Collaboration and IP assignment
  • (25:23) Logistics of licensing IP 
  • (28:19) Factors that determine licensing fees
  • (30:08) Pitfalls during licensing and managing conflict
  • (32:05) Advice for entrepreneurs 
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1 year ago
34 minutes 41 seconds

Activation Energy
38. Bryce Meredig (Citrine Informatics) on the intersection of science and business

Bryce Meredig of Citrine Informatics talks about leadership and the business of science.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:28) Career path
  • (02:06) Academia vs. business
  • (03:15) Deeptech startups vs others
  • (04:48) Integrating science and business
  • (06:08) How to overcome challenges with integration
  • (07:27) Scientific leadership
  • (10:00) Group and organizational dynamics
  • (11:20) Leadership qualities
  • (13:10) Interaction between scientists and non-scientists
  • (15:42) Managing conflict and fostering cohesion
  • (22:10) Effective communication 
  • (29:10) Mistakes
  • (33:05) Future
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1 year ago
34 minutes 44 seconds

Activation Energy
37. Pavle Jeremić (Aether Bio) on protein engineering and lithium extraction

Pavle Jeremić of Aether Bio talks about protein engineering, lithium extraction, and advanced polymers.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:29) Pavle’s professional background
  • (01:12) Motivation for founding Aether
  • (04:31) Aether’s technology and product lines
  • (06:45) Uniqueness of Aether’s technology
  • (13:08) Importance of Aether’s technology
  • (14:45) Monetization strategy
  • (16:22) Failed strategies
  • (19:41) Market segments
  • (21:14) Value of market opportunity 
  • (22:45) Capturing value
  • (24:41) Challenges and risks
  • (27:53) Long-term vision of Aether
Show more...
1 year ago
29 minutes 33 seconds

Activation Energy
36. Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza (Elysium Robotics) on robotics

Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza of Elysium Robotics talks about actuation, movement, and robotics.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:39) Rodrigo’s professional background
  • (03:04) Motivation for founding Elysium
  • (04:17) Elysium’s technology
  • (05:45) Limitations of current robotic systems
  • (07:02) Suite of robotic technologies
  • (08:09) Actuation
  • (10:19) Technical performance metrics
  • (12:06) Target applications
  • (14:38) Traction 
  • (15:50) Milestones
  • (16:20) Economics and affordability
  • (17:45) Market opportunity
  • (19:20) Scalability
  • (20:17) Challenges
  • (21:26) Long-term implications
  • (23:40) Vision
Show more...
1 year ago
25 minutes 22 seconds

Activation Energy
35. Mahmood Shirazy (Calogy Solutions) on thermal management of EVs

Mahmood Shirazy of Calogy Solutions discusses thermal management systems of electrical vehicles (EV) systems, transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur, and the state of the deeptech ecosystem.

OUTLINE

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:36) Mahmood’s career 
  • (02:32) Calogy’s technology
  • (04:09) Value proposition and uniqueness of technology
  • (06:45) Examples
  • (09:02) Broader impact
  • (11:39) Value of opportunity 
  • (12:58) Go-to-market and monetization strategy
  • (15:21) Traction
  • (16:44) Challenges and barriers
  • (18:43) Growth and expansion plans
  • (20:45) Anticipated risks
  • (23:26) Journey from scientist to entrepreneur
  • (25:44) Fundamental differences between academia and business worlds
  • (28:15) State of deeptech ecosystem 
Show more...
1 year ago
32 minutes 25 seconds

Activation Energy
Discussions about science, innovation, and impact