The a16z Show

Three Startups Reinventing Critical Infrastructure

Episode Summary

This week, a16z American Dynamism Films premiered three short documentaries highlighting companies tackling some of America's biggest industrial challenges: Ulysses, Mariana Materials, and Radiant. Before watching those films, we're revisiting conversations with the founders behind each company. You'll hear Will O'Brien explain why autonomous underwater robots could unlock a new era of ocean exploration and security, Turner Caldwell discuss rebuilding America's critical minerals supply chain and modernizing mining, and Doug Bernauer share why portable nuclear microreactors could transform how we generate power. Together, these conversations offer a look at the technologies—and the founders—working to rebuild the industrial foundations of the United States.

Episode Notes

This week, a16z American Dynamism Films premiered three short documentaries highlighting companies tackling some of America's biggest industrial challenges: Ulysses, Mariana Materials, and Radiant. Before watching those films, we're revisiting conversations with the founders behind each company.

You'll hear Will O'Brien explain why autonomous underwater robots could unlock a new era of ocean exploration and security, Turner Caldwell discuss rebuilding America's critical minerals supply chain and modernizing mining, and Doug Bernauer share why portable nuclear microreactors could transform how we generate power. Together, these conversations offer a look at the technologies—and the founders—working to rebuild the industrial foundations of the United States.

 

Resources:

Follow Will O'Brien on X: https://x.com/Willob

Follow Turner Caldwell on X: https://x.com/tbc415

Follow Doug Bernauer on X: https://x.com/dougbernauer

Follow Erin Price-Wright on X: https://x.com/espricewright

Follow Ryan McEntush on X: https://x.com/rmcentush

Follow Theo Jaffee on X: https://x.com/theojaffee