Episode #9: Three Breakthroughs: Brain Computers, Ohalo, & Manipulating Weather
Tech Optimist Podcast — Tech, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation
In this episode of the Tech Optimist podcast, CEO Mike Collins and Drew Wandzilak, Senior Associate at Alumni Ventures, discuss three groundbreaking advancements. They cover Neuralink’s progress with FDA approval for a second patient, innovations in food breeding by the company Ohalo, and climate modification techniques involving cloud seeding. Join them as they delve into these exciting technological breakthroughs and their potential global impacts.
Episode #9: Three Breakthroughs
Brain Computers, Ohalo, & Manipulating Weather
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In this episode, we explore:
- Neuralink’s Next Steps: Neuralink has received FDA approval for a second patient, marking significant progress in brain-computer interface technology.
- Revolutionizing Agriculture: Ohalo, a cutting-edge company in food and plant breeding, is leveraging technology to accelerate the development of crops that can thrive in challenging environments.
- Cloud Seeding and Climate Innovation: Researchers and startups like Rainmaker are pioneering techniques to modify weather patterns, potentially alleviating droughts and enhancing agricultural productivity.
Watch Time ~22 minutes
The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a “Top 20 Venture Firm” by CB Insights (’24) and as the “#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US” by Pitchbook (’22 & ’23).
READ THE FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Creators and Guests
HOST
Mike Collins
CEO, and Co-Founder at Alumni Ventures
Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is currently CEO of Alumni Ventures Group, the managing company for our fund, and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
GUEST
Drew Wandzilak
Senior Associate, Alumni Ventures
Drew has worked in high-growth industries as both an investor and operator, focusing on how people and technology interact within organizations. His venture experience began at AV’s Seed Fund, identifying and supporting early stage founders across a variety of industries. This experience led him to join Holistic Industries, a leading private multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation facilities and dispensaries, where he focused on business intelligence, corporate development, and M&A. Prior to rejoining AV, he worked with the founding team of Mirage, an NFT marketplace and view layer for augmented reality assets. Drew has a BS from Northwestern University in Education and Social Policy with concentrations in Learning & Organizational Change and Entrepreneurship. He is also an ambassador of Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a member of Chicago Inno’s 25 under 25.
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