Latest Interviews
Showing 526–539 of 539 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist14 min
Space Invaders: the entrepreneurs taking humans into space
Stu Witt, Enrico Palermo, Ben, Ellen, Sean Mahoney, Jeremy Voigt
Mojave Air and Space Port has evolved from a civilian airfield into the United States' first commercial spaceport, hosting a dense cluster of pioneering firms like Virgin Galactic, Masten Space Systems, and X-Core Aerospace. These entities are driving a rapidly expanding industry by developing reusable vertical-landing technology and radical rocket engines to enable high-risk flight testing and sustainable space access without reliance on traditional government contracts. While Virgin Galactic secures millions in pre-revenue bookings following a fatal 2014 accident, the collective focus remains on establishing a private sector capable of transporting thousands of people to space by 2030.
- The Economist17 min
E-Sports Superstars: gamers earning millions
Big Daddy, Conrad Janzen, Jack, Seth, Alan
Joining the elite esports scene just months prior to "The International," Danish prodigy Johan "Big Daddy" entered the $18 million tournament as part of the newly formed Cloud9 squad, which faced intense scrutiny and high expectations for victory. Despite boasting significant individual talent, the team struggled with internal cohesion and trust during critical preparation, leading to a decisive opening defeat against the more unified Chinese team CDEC. This loss exposed the fragility of their synergy, forcing Cloud9 into the lower bracket while highlighting that emotional intelligence and team unity are just as vital as raw gaming skill in the highest levels of competition.
- The Economist12 min
Drone Rangers: how the technology can catch poachers and save lives
Rob Hannaford, Dr. Robin Murphy, Peter Blake
The commercial drone industry is rapidly expanding from military origins into civilian sectors like anti-poaching, construction, and disaster rescue, driven by high-resolution data collection that costs significantly less than traditional methods. In South Africa, thermal-equipped drones have successfully deterred rhino poaching by relaying real-time coordinates to rangers, while in the United States, they accelerate disaster response times by up to 90% in hazardous zones. As specialized startups professionalize the workforce by connecting freelance pilots with industrial projects, experts project the sector will generate over 100,000 new careers and contribute billions to the U.S. economy within the next few years.
- The Economist7 min
Look inside China’s secretive Olympic training camps
Gao Lei, Jinwen Shi, Shen Chen
China is executing a targeted strategy to surpass the United States on the Rio Olympic medal table by recruiting 400,000 children from specialized training schools based on strict physiological and psychological criteria. While this system filters out most candidates, it produces elite athletes like trampoline contender Gao Lei who are prepared to compete for gold through intense, early-stage training. Success in this high-risk pipeline offers significant financial bonuses and government positions, motivating the rare few who overcome the low statistical probability of reaching the Games.
- The Economist13 min
Solar technology that will shape the future
Elon Musk, Alison Archambault, Chuck Boggs
Earthspark International and Tesla are deploying off-grid solar microgrids and battery storage to address the global energy crisis, as demonstrated by Les Anglais' 100% renewable transition and Appel Steel's industrial independence. Innovations in perovskite cells promise to drastically increase efficiency and enable building-integrated power, while Richard Branson's Carbon War Room advocates for this decentralized shift to bypass fossil fuel dependence. Although currently representing only 1% of global supply, these scalable solutions aim to meet an 80% projected demand surge and eventually achieve financial viability without subsidies.
- The Economist15 min
Prison: how to break the cycle of reoffending?
Olly Matthews, Hans Petter Hansen, Bobby Frances, Bill Kleiber, Alex Garcia
A comparative analysis of the United States and Norway's justice systems reveals that while American reentry programs face high recidivism due to inadequate resources and harsh decision-making transitions, Norway's Bastøy Prison achieves a 16% recidivism rate by fostering inmate autonomy and self-sufficiency. Retired Texas Judge Bobby Francis exemplifies a shift in the U.S. toward specialized reentry courts that balance strict accountability with rehabilitation, contributing to a 16% reduction in state incarceration rates since 2001. Despite these reforms, experts warn that without prioritizing rehabilitation over punitive measures, the current system remains insufficient to prepare the millions of inmates for sustainable reintegration into society.
- Y Combinator19 min
Olga Vidisheva Speaks at Female Founders Conference 2015
ShopTix, founded by a Wellesley and Harvard Business School graduate, operates a two-sided marketplace connecting independent global boutiques with shoppers after validating demand through 800+ store owner interviews. Following a Y Combinator acceptance and seed investments from firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Greylock, the company resolved early scaling failures by replacing co-founders with a professional CTO, which drove a 700% growth rate and turned the venture profitable. Now preparing to launch its mobile application on March 18, ShopTix continues to aggressively scale its infrastructure to capture the market inflection point characteristic of successful multi-year marketplace maturation.
- Y Combinator42 min
Office Hours with Kevin & Qasar
Qasar, Kevin Hale, Kasser, Lauren, Odero Mezoke, Walid
The session features live critiques of three distinct startups—Zealify, a culture-focused job board; Vuezy, a physical retail analytics firm; and ScreenPush, a design collaboration tool—where Y Combinator partners challenge their assumptions regarding market validation, unit economics, and user experience. Founders are urged to move beyond "intellectually seductive" value propositions by proving specific demand for Zealify's culture metrics, translating raw data into actionable ROI for Vuezy's long B2B sales cycles, and rigorously stress-testing ScreenPush's onboarding flow to eliminate friction. The overarching conclusion emphasizes that successful scaling requires defined success metrics, strict quality control to avoid commodity traps, and a deep commitment to solving urgent, verified user problems rather than relying on untested hypotheses.
- Y Combinator22 min
Julia Hartz at Female Founders Conference 2014
Eventbrite, founded by Julia and Kevin Hartz in San Francisco in 2006, scaled to process over $1 billion in gross ticket sales by leveraging a strategic freemium model that utilizes free events to drive paid organizer growth. The company navigated early organizational challenges by refining its monetization to a 2.5% fee structure and evolving its leadership practices to prioritize aptitude over technical prowess during rapid expansion. Anchored by a culture of "relentless evolution" and a clear vision to unite the world through live experiences, the platform now operates as a global marketplace serving over one million annual events.
- Y Combinator29 min
Travis Kalanick at Startup School 2012
Founded in 2010 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, Uber operates a global asset-light logistics network that has achieved 29% month-over-month growth across 17 cities by leveraging advanced algorithms for dynamic pricing and supply positioning. The company disrupts traditional transportation markets by introducing tiered services like UberX and taxi options, while simultaneously mobilizing grassroots campaigns to overcome regulatory opposition from incumbent medallion holders. This technology-driven approach has enabled drivers to earn up to 30% more than traditional counterparts and is accelerating urban mobility transformation from a multi-year timeline to a matter of months.
- Milken Institute49 min
MI Summit 2013 - London: U.S. Overview: Gathering Steam? (updated)
Gregory Cappelli, Ross DeVol, Harold Ford Jr., J. Todd Morley, Eric Spiegel, Philippa Thomas
Facing a potential partial government shutdown and debt ceiling breach by mid-October, U.S. political leaders like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell are navigating intense intra-party gridlock driven by primary threats. Concurrently, the economy hovers near 2% growth sustained by Federal Reserve stimulus, though experts warn of a structural skills gap, a housing mini-bubble, and an over-reliance on monetary policy that masks underlying weaknesses. Panelists advocate for urgent structural reforms including corporate tax cuts and immigration changes to resolve regulatory stagnation and stimulate genuine long-term innovation.
- Milken Institute1h 11m
Lunch Panel: A Cure for What Ails Us: Celebrating the Impact of Science (updated II)
Nancy Brown, Francis Collins, Thomas Frieden, Andrew von Eschenbach, Michael Milken, Mike Milken, Tom Frieden, Andy Van Eschenbach, Jack Andreyka
A comprehensive analysis of global bioscience reveals a dramatic increase in life expectancy and major breakthroughs in disease eradication, such as the near-elimination of polio and HIV management through programs like PEPFAR. Despite these successes, the sector faces a critical funding crisis where declining NIH grant success rates and inflation-adjusted budget cuts threaten the pipeline of young researchers and the translation of genetic discoveries into new treatments. Strategic initiatives like the Brain Initiative, precision medicine efforts, and the shift toward prevention are now essential to address rising chronic disease burdens and sustain the bioscience industry as a primary driver of US economic growth.
- Milken Institute1h 16m
MI Forum: Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don't
Paul Sullivan, Skip Reimer, Cyrus Hekmat, Eric Schmidt, William Rickles, Jamie Dimon
Paul Sullivan distinguishes "clutch" performance from mere luck by defining it as the repeatable execution of high-level skills under extreme pressure, characterized by laser-focused attention, adaptability, and a strategic balance between fear and desire. Through case studies ranging from Eli Manning's Super Bowl victory to Jamie Dimon's disciplined leadership, Sullivan demonstrates that these traits are learned via deliberate practice rather than innate talent, enabling individuals to avoid the paralysis of overconfidence and overthinking. The presentation concludes by urging a shift from outcome-oriented anxiety to present-moment execution, making elite performance accessible to professionals across various fields through consistent, pressure-simulated training.
- Milken Institute1h 14m
Investing in African Prosperity
Tony Blair, Bill Gates, H.E. Paul Kagame, Strive Masiyiwa, Rhonda Zygocki, Michael Milken
Economic and health data reveal that twenty-five African nations have achieved middle-income status, driven by demographic dividends, rapid mobile adoption, and strategic investments from corporations like Chevron and the Agricultural Transformation Agency in Ethiopia. Successful interventions in countries such as Rwanda and Zimbabwe demonstrate that combining local capacity building with global partnerships can eliminate extreme poverty, eradicate diseases like polio, and transform sectors ranging from agriculture to financial services. These outcomes suggest a future where infrastructure leapfrogging and transparent governance create a sustainable win-win scenario for both private investors and African populations.