R3i

The Research Revolution

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:37:27 -0800

I remember watching a quantum physicist struggle to explain how her breakthrough might become a business in our She Loves Tech competition. The gap between academic brilliance and market reality was painfully visible.

But Europe's €200B AI investment fundamentally rewrites this story.

Here's why.

The New Academic-Startup Bridge

Think of research institutions as intellectual powerplants - they generate extraordinary ideas but historically struggled with transmission.

The EU's initiative transforms this by creating what I call "innovation highways":

Direct Routes to Market

12 AI hubs connected to EuroHPC supercomputers
Open AI infrastructure...Read More

Navigating the Frontier of Deep Tech Venture Capital

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:40:31 -0800

The world of deep tech investing is not for the faint of heart. It's a high-stakes game where the rules are constantly shifting, and the players must navigate a labyrinth of geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions, and existential threats.

But for those with the vision, the expertise, and the stomach for risk, the rewards can be immense - not just in terms of financial returns, but in the potential to shape the future of our planet and our species.

At the massive VC conference led by @Max Pog and his awesome team at Inniches I had the privilege of moderating a panel of some of the most innovative and forward-thinking investors in the deep tech space. These are individuals who have been in the trenches, who have seen the ups and downs of the industry firsthand, and who have emerged with hard-won insights and battle scars to show for it.

Seth Dobrin, General Partner @ 1infinity Venture

Dr. Seth Dobrin is the former Global Chief AI Officer at IBM, where he led AI strategy across all divisions. He is now the CEO of Qantm AI, a strategic advisory firm that designs and implements human-centered AI solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Dobrin is also the General Partner at 1infinity, a venture fund targeting $500M in capital. He holds a...Read More

The Hidden Code: Why Mental Health is Venture Capital's Greatest Blindspot

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:37:23 -0800

The Venture Capital Mental Health Crisis: Beyond Platitudes

The numbers are brutal: 72% of founders are breaking. Not stressed. Not challenged. Breaking.

One year after launching the Founder Mental Health Pledge, the venture ecosystem's dirty secret is finally surfacing - we're systematically destroying the very talent we claim to nurture.

R3i's Hard Data Approach We're done with performative wellness. Our term sheets now mandate:

Quantifiable Mental Health Infrastructure:

Quarterly strategic coaching (non-negotiable)
Monthly progress check-ins
Fingerprint for Success assessments
AI-powered Coach Marlee integration
Founder to Founder Support via Planet43...Read More