Full Stack Deep Tech, Lessons for Web3, & Misconceptions about Clean Energy
A weekly Definite Optimist Roundup
More great content from around the web this week. Crypto is having a tough time, but builders keep building across deep tech and beyond.
Full stack deep tech
This piece from Ian Rountree of Cantos provides a great overview of why it’s often better for deep tech companies to look to vertically integrate & provide an end product to customers.


A Deep Dive on Hadrian
I’m fascinated by what Hadrian is working on for the American industrial base. We need innovation in advanced manufacturing, and this Invest Like the Best interview is one of the best I’ve heard on the topic.


Varda - another full stack deep tech co
Hadrian is one example of a full stack deep tech startup, but Varda is another! Varda is working on building factories that produce products in low earth orbit which are then brought back down to earth. There are specific products (such as semiconductors or 3D printed organs) which can be made most effectively in a low gravity environment.
Deep Dive on the CCP
Noah Smith goes deep on the CCP in this episode of Solarpunk. He actually provided a counterargument on several ideas that many people in this corner of the web seem to have on the CCP. One clear example is that people forget that China has different political factions - some of which aren’t always in agreement with Xi Xinping.
Cyber attacks can cause destruction in atoms, not just bits.
Friendly reminder that cyber attacks aren’t just about leaking emails and ransomware attacks. Cyber warfare can cause real, physical damage. This article is from 2007.


Crypto is getting a reset
Crypto is getting absolutely hammered right now. But this is a decent roundup on what’s possible for the industry, and why it matters that we continue building these systems. This piece is also quite good on why web3 has a place in our future.

A question for Web3 builders - What are you doing for customers?
In this video, Bezos is being interrogated on CNBC in 1999 about whether or not Amazon was a ‘pure internet play.’ This clips makes it very clear that Bezos did not see Amazon as an internet company, but instead as a vessel for delivering an amazing customer experience. This relentless focus on the customer is why Amazon succeeds, and persists to this day.
“It doesn’t matter to me whether we’re a pure internet play. What matters to me is do we provide the best customer experience. Internet, shiminernet - that doesn’t matter.”

Here’s another gem from Jobs back in the 90s as well. The key message:
“You’ve gotta start with the customer and work backwards to the technology. You can’t start with the technology and figure out how where you’re going to try to sell it.”
This is a painful time for web3, but one positive is that the abundant scams and low quality projects in the space are getting flushed out. Everyone I know in crypto feels the bear market, but many of the true builders see this as an opportunity to return to useful technology instead of hype driven, number-go-up machines.
Clean tech can be pro human.
Cleo Abram’s Huge If True is an excellent Youtube which features great educational content that leaves you feeling like you can actually do something about problems in the world. It’s great to see media talent producing content that has the potential to inspire.
That’s all for this week! If you liked this newsletter or want to get in touch - please DM me on twitter at @sflamini5
I’m thinking of also adding a daily roundup of fundraising rounds, and have a Deep Tech Database in the works that I’ll be releasing in the form of an open notion wiki this week.
Thanks for reading,
-Sam