The future of space operations. In it we discuss how software is making launches safer, AI co-pilots for complex workflows, predictive simulations, El Segundo and new deep tech hubs, and upcoming interstellar missions.

Laura Crabtree is CEO of Epsilon3, a software platform to manage and orchestrate engineering, testing and operations for the space industry and other complex industries. Backed by frontier investors Lux Capital and Village Global, Epsilon serves NASA, Virgin Galactic and United States Space Force. Their software is embedded throughout the organization and seeks to drive operational excellence amongst the complex chaos. Laura spent a decade within SpaceX as Senior Mission Operations Engineer as well as 5 years at Northrop Grumman as a Systems Controller, providing us a unique perspective of the two generations of space companies.

Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on danieldarling@focal.vc

The future of space operations. In it we discuss how software is making launches safer, AI co-pilots for complex workflows, predictive simulations, El Segundo and new deep tech hubs, and upcoming interstellar missions.
Laura Crabtree is CEO of Epsilon3, a software platform to manage and orchestrate engineering, testing and operations for the space industry and other complex industries. Backed by frontier investors Lux Capital and Village Global, Epsilon serves NASA, Virgin Galactic and United States Space Force. Their software is embedded throughout the organization and seeks to drive operational excellence amongst the complex chaos. Laura spent a decade within SpaceX as Senior Mission Operations Engineer as well as 5 years at Northrop Grumman as a Systems Controller, providing us a unique perspective of the two generations of space companies.
Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on <a href="mailto:danieldarling@focal.vc">danieldarling@focal.vc</a>

Fast forward 5 years to view the future of an industry through the eyes of its most innovative entrepreneurs and CEOs.

Learn what key industries could look like in 5 years.

Witness the evolution through the eyes of leading CEOs.

Discover who gets disrupted and who wins big.

Hear of mind blowing technology set to reinvent all the rules.

Reshape your mental model to thrive in the change ahead.

Delivered as short (~30 mins), insight-packed discussions, that will spark imagination and leave listeners with a preview of what lies ahead.

Fast forward 5 years to view the future of an industry through the eyes of its most innovative entrepreneurs and CEOs.
Learn what key industries could look like in 5 years.
Witness the evolution through the eyes of leading CEOs.
Discover who gets disrupted and who wins big.
Hear of mind blowing technology set to reinvent all the rules.
Reshape your mental model to thrive in the change ahead.
Delivered as short (~30 mins), insight-packed discussions, that will spark imagination and leave listeners with a preview of what lies ahead.

5 Year Frontier

#16: Space command reimagined, automating mission control, new deep tech hubs, interstellar missions, and the future of space operations w/ Epsilon3 CEO Laura Crabtree

The future of intellectual property. In it we cover programmable IP, the new economy of ideas, convergence of fan and creator, tackling LLM data attribution, blockchain’s gift to AI, and the future of human creativity.

Jason Zhao is co-founder of Story Protocol, who are building a programmable intellectual property infrastructure for the internet. Built on the blockchain, Story provides a neutral source to track IP origins, enable remixing of IP with multiple stakeholders receiving attribution, and delivers an economic framework for everyone to participate in revenue that is created. Born out of South Korea, a global cultural innovator, the startup has raised over $50M from the likes of A16Z Crypto, Endeavor, and Samsung to become the leading contender to reimagine how intellectual property is managed for our modern age. Prior to founding Story Jason was at Google’s Deepmind focusing on putting novel AI research into production. He is an investment Scout at Sequoia, a computer science graduate from Stanford and can be seen lecturing about his passion in philosophy at Oxford University.

Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on danieldarling@focal.vc

The future of intellectual property. In it we cover programmable IP, the new economy of ideas, convergence of fan and creator, tackling LLM data attribution, blockchain’s gift to AI, and the future of human creativity.
Jason Zhao is co-founder of Story Protocol, who are building a programmable intellectual property infrastructure for the internet. Built on the blockchain, Story provides a neutral source to track IP origins, enable remixing of IP with multiple stakeholders receiving attribution, and delivers an economic framework for everyone to participate in revenue that is created. Born out of South Korea, a global cultural innovator, the startup has raised over $50M from the likes of A16Z Crypto, Endeavor, and Samsung to become the leading contender to reimagine how intellectual property is managed for our modern age. Prior to founding Story Jason was at Google’s Deepmind focusing on putting novel AI research into production. He is an investment Scout at Sequoia, a computer science graduate from Stanford and can be seen lecturing about his passion in philosophy at Oxford University.
Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on <a href="mailto:danieldarling@focal.vc">danieldarling@focal.vc</a>

#18: Redefining intellectual property, programmable art, AI’s trust layer, South Korea’s rise, and the future of creativity w/ Story Protocol Co-founder Jason Zhao

The future of genetic engineering. In it we cover de-extinction, growing the Woolly Mammoth, human longevity, AI-led drug discovery, and the future of biotech.

Ben Lamm is CEO of Colossal Biosciences, a Texas based biotech company on a mission to safeguard our worlds biodiversity and re-wild our planet. As part of that they are endeavoring to bring back extinct species such as the Woolly Mammoth, the Dodo, and the Tasmanian Tiger by as as early as 2028. Colossal has raised $225M to date and is a truly revolutionary organization pushing the frontier of genetic engineering with some of the leading minds in the field. The innovations developed from their research has impacts beyond animal conservation and advances our ability to fight diseases, uncover new drugs, protect our climate, reproduce successfully, and extend human lifespan. Ben comes from a software background and successfully built and sold three companies prior to Colossal. He brings to the world of science the energy and unique thinking of a software entrepreneur at a time when AI and computational biology is really propelling the field in leaps and bounds. Ben is prolific in the world of scientific innovation, sitting on the board of the Planetary Society, The Explorers Club, as well as owning the award winning science publication Nautilus.

Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on danieldarling@focal.vc

The future of genetic engineering. In it we cover de-extinction, growing the Woolly Mammoth, human longevity, AI-led drug discovery, and the future of biotech.
Ben Lamm is CEO of Colossal Biosciences, a Texas based biotech company on a mission to safeguard our worlds biodiversity and re-wild our planet. As part of that they are endeavoring to bring back extinct species such as the Woolly Mammoth, the Dodo, and the Tasmanian Tiger by as as early as 2028. Colossal has raised $225M to date and is a truly revolutionary organization pushing the frontier of genetic engineering with some of the leading minds in the field. The innovations developed from their research has impacts beyond animal conservation and advances our ability to fight diseases, uncover new drugs, protect our climate, reproduce successfully, and extend human lifespan. Ben comes from a software background and successfully built and sold three companies prior to Colossal. He brings to the world of science the energy and unique thinking of a software entrepreneur at a time when AI and computational biology is really propelling the field in leaps and bounds. Ben is prolific in the world of scientific innovation, sitting on the board of the Planetary Society, The Explorers Club, as well as owning the award winning science publication Nautilus.
Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on <a href="mailto:danieldarling@focal.vc">danieldarling@focal.vc</a>

#17: Defeating death, programming life, resurrecting the Woolly Mammoth, AI’s blueprint for biotech, and the future of genetic engineering w/ Colossal Biosciences CEO Ben Lamm

The future of manufacturing and robotics. In it we cover advanced factory automation, humanoid robots, how digital twins simulate and optimize manufacturing lines, AI-led product and parts design, nanotechnology, and the next generation of physical technology founders and startups.

Lior Susan, a pioneering force in digital transformation for physical industries who wears the hat of a CEO and investor simultaneously to extreme success. A serial entrepreneur, Lior is CEO of Bright Machines, delivering advanced robotics and automation for manufacturing. Funded to the tune of $300M Bright Machines operates out of the US, Mexico, and Israel. Its key funder is the VC firm Eclipse that Lior also co-founded and works as a General Partner. A firm that become one of the first specialists in physical industry transformation and since grown to manage over $4B and partnered with over 70 companies. Lior sits on both sides of the table and offers a uniquely deep perspective on how our world is being reshaped.

Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on danieldarling@focal.vc

The future of manufacturing and robotics. In it we cover advanced factory automation, humanoid robots, how digital twins simulate and optimize manufacturing lines, AI-led product and parts design, nanotechnology, and the next generation of physical technology founders and startups.
Lior Susan, a pioneering force in digital transformation for physical industries who wears the hat of a CEO and investor simultaneously to extreme success. A serial entrepreneur, Lior is CEO of Bright Machines, delivering advanced robotics and automation for manufacturing. Funded to the tune of $300M Bright Machines operates out of the US, Mexico, and Israel. Its key funder is the VC firm Eclipse that Lior also co-founded and works as a General Partner. A firm that become one of the first specialists in physical industry transformation and since grown to manage over $4B and partnered with over 70 companies. Lior sits on both sides of the table and offers a uniquely deep perspective on how our world is being reshaped.
Subscribe for the latest episodes. Email me on <a href="mailto:danieldarling@focal.vc">danieldarling@focal.vc</a>

#15: Factory automation, humanoid robots, digital twins, building the backbone of AI and the future of manufacturing w/ Bright Machines CEO / Eclipse VC Lior Susan

#16: Space command reimagined, automating mission control, new deep tech hubs, interstellar missions, and the future of space operations w/ Epsilon3 CEO Laura Crabtree

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