
26 segments available
Josh is Co-Founder of Lux Capital and focuses on investments in the physical and life sciences. Lux is actively investing out of its third fund, an oversubscribed $245M Lux Ventures III, pursuing contrarian emerging technologies ranging from nuclear-waste remediation, robotic surgery, meta-materials, computational photography, 3D printing and other ‘matter that matters’. He serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Coney Island Prep and has been actively involved with the East Harlem School at Exodus House for over a decade. Josh is a columnist with Forbes, Editor for the Forbes/Wolfe Emerging Tech Report and host of a show on the Forbes Video Network.
Josh Wolfe is introduced as a unique venture capitalist who provides insights into entrepreneurship. Unlike many VCs who follow trends, Josh is known for his contrarian approach. He will share stories and lessons learned from his experiences in the investment world.
"[Music] so for our next speaker I want to introduce Josh wolf so we all know that the investor of you provides insight into the journey of entrepreneurship from a different perspective especially when..."
Josh outlines his investment focus, mentioning three case studies: Shapeways in 3D printing, Curie on nuclear waste management, and Chi Mehta in satellite communications. He emphasizes the eclectic nature of Lux Capital's investments and the philosophies guiding their entrepreneurial pursuits.
"stories and lessons learned today Joshua alright so Scott is basically saying I'm the least fashionable venture guy alright so I talked a mile a minute so you guys are gonna get it basically like an h..."
Josh discusses the chaotic and volatile nature of today's world, emphasizing that changes occur exponentially rather than linearly. He highlights the unpredictability of the future and the importance of recognizing exponential trends in technology and markets.
"talking about a company called shapeways which is in 3d printing has anybody used or know about Shapeways any consumers all right so I do want a critical feedback to you on your experience from that I..."
Using historical examples, Josh illustrates how technological advancements follow predictable patterns. He discusses the evolution of storage, communication, and imaging technologies, emphasizing the importance of understanding these trends for future predictions.
"the future most people that do we think are full of so the people that we look for are the entrepreneurs there's lots of trends for this I'm going to run through at a mile a minute we know this from s..."
Josh introduces the challenges surrounding nuclear energy, particularly the issue of waste management. He stresses the importance of asking critical questions about market problems, highlighting the potential for innovation in addressing nuclear waste.
"inversely proportional that eventually you're gonna have machines like today where you can do CT scans totally non-invasive without putting FF flow monitors inside the heart so the same thing holds in..."
Josh shares insights on how to allocate time and resources effectively in entrepreneurship. He invokes literary figures to illustrate the importance of holding opposing ideas and avoiding distractions from volatile market headlines.
"little bit so second thing is ghosts now outside of my office we're on 41st Park in Madison we have an open-door policy people want to come in and you can sign up for office hours you can come visit w..."
Discussing the uncertainties in venture capital, Josh emphasizes the significance of understanding what you don't know. He uses the turkey growth index as a metaphor for the dangers of assuming linear progress in investments.
"volatility so if you're an option trader it's a really smart thing to do but as a venture guy stay away second one tween so Twain's famous quote and eight once you don't know that gets you into troubl..."
Josh explores the concepts of talent and genius in entrepreneurship, quoting famous figures to illustrate the distinction. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing unique visions and the challenges that come with it.
"think so so shop an hour worth of shop an hour this is where we live right this is the domain of the entrepreneur this is where do you guys live and his famous quote is talent is hitting a target that..."
Josh argues that the gap between science fiction and reality is closing, highlighting how many innovations are inspired by sci-fi concepts. He discusses the influence of science fiction on modern technology and the creative minds behind it.
"third thing here we're gonna talk about sci-fi now I'm gonna make the contention here that either our scientists are getting way more creative or science fiction authors are becoming way less creative..."
In this segment, Josh showcases examples of futuristic technologies, particularly autonomous drones. He connects these innovations to their sci-fi inspirations, illustrating how imagination drives real-world advancements.
"and these are the people that were inventing our future in 1929 the notable feature about all these people at Bell Labs where they were mostly white males and mostly terrible suits 70s and 80s Genente..."
Wolfe introduces the concept of 3D printing as a revolutionary manufacturing process. He explains how companies like Shapeways are transforming digital designs into physical objects, emphasizing the democratization of creativity and the ability to produce customized items with ease.
"entertaining movie Michael Douglas disclosure these laser scanned Don some goggles and enters a virtual reality world all right so you get the gist and now you may know of a company called oculus rift..."
This segment delves into the advancements in 3D printing technology, discussing the shift from traditional manufacturing methods to modern, digital approaches. Wolfe highlights the accessibility of CAD design tools and the rapid evolution of 3D printers, making it easier for individuals to create unique products.
"we spun out a y combinator Star Wars robotic surgery we backed a company has come out of stealth yet though it's a business founded by Fred mol who was the founder of Intuitive Surgical which you bill..."
Wolfe elaborates on Shapeways' mission to democratize creativity through 3D printing. He discusses how the platform allows users to design, produce, and sell their creations, fostering innovation and personal expression in manufacturing without the constraints of traditional production methods.
"we went from made in China to made in the USA to our tagline of shapeways which is made in the future I serve on the board is company very proud of what they're doing and there was a philosophical thi..."
In this segment, Wolfe reflects on the future of design and manufacturing, emphasizing the shift towards personalized production. He discusses how advancements in technology enable rapid prototyping and innovation, allowing designers to create and test products without significant investment.
"full-functioning wrench again for time I'll just skip through this so the way we looked at this is we said okay exponentially increasing the number of printers being sold that's pretty interesting and..."
Wolfe shares insights on the concept of the 'factory of the future,' showcasing how technology is reshaping manufacturing. He highlights the importance of personal input in product creation and the potential for individuals to bring their ideas to life through modern manufacturing techniques.
"value chain and you know there's a lot of hype and a lot of excitement and there was some consolidation in the industry you have the former CEO of Z Corp that's sitting here in the audience a very sma..."
This segment focuses on the empowerment of individuals through 3D printing technology. Wolfe discusses how this innovation allows for unprecedented creativity and problem-solving, enabling people to build products that were previously impossible to create.
"they're doing as humans we've always strived to create to build something that will solve a problem or meet one of our needs how would you feel if you could hold some of your designs in your hand and ..."
Wolfe introduces a contrarian investment thesis centered around nuclear waste management. He discusses the significant market potential in addressing the challenges of nuclear waste cleanup, highlighting the company's efforts to innovate in this critical area of environmental technology.
"before and something new comes to this home she asked have you bought it have you made you know if you look around us we can buy any product we need to do whatever we want what's missing however is ou..."
In this segment, Josh Wolfe elaborates on the innovative technologies developed by his company for nuclear waste management. He discusses the financial success achieved with minimal investment and the social impact of their work, highlighting the importance of creating solutions that are both profitable and beneficial to society.
"technology that basically did two things isotope separation to grab cesium and strontium and all the really bad stuff and then a technology that vitrify as it turns out the glass and locks it up from ..."
Wolfe introduces the concept of metamaterials and their groundbreaking applications in satellite communications. He explains how these materials can revolutionize technology by enabling new methods of signal transmission, showcasing the potential for significant advancements in the field.
"gonna end with a very quick story here which reminds us that we are all social primates so when this deal was happening I spent about four years serving the scientific literature and found this area o..."
In this insightful discussion, Josh Wolfe reflects on the nature of entrepreneurship and the gap between perception and reality in technology. He emphasizes the importance of visionary entrepreneurs who can see beyond current limitations and drive transformative change, despite skepticism from the market.
"amazing company this is the experience that I had in fairness and I'm gonna leave you with this and then go to questions of a famous primate experience of two people that are basically doing the same ..."
Wolfe shares personal insights into his career trajectory, discussing the randomness and optionality that have shaped his path. He highlights key turning points and the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship, illustrating how unexpected opportunities can lead to significant achievements.
"over for the conference here so we're gonna try that this time and I think folks can can can and ask any questions to Josh we'll try to fit some of them in the time we have here but I would just I'll ..."
Wolfe reflects on his career trajectory, acknowledging the role of randomness and serendipity in his success. He recounts a pivotal moment when he met Bill Conway, a founder of Carlisle, who helped launch his career. This segment emphasizes the unpredictable nature of success and the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities.
"let's take a couple here so one question at the top here is just a little bit about your career trajectory and what it's been like any sort of turning points you can share as you look back I am very i..."
Josh Wolfe discusses the evolving landscape of venture capital and the enduring nature of human instincts in investing. He notes that while technology and industries change, the fundamental behavior of investors tends to remain constant. Wolfe emphasizes the importance of betting on entrepreneurs and adapting to new technological advancements.
"serendipitous and lucky so but I do have an irreverent sort of what I would call it a respectfully irreverent streak and I decided for me like being in the investment banking path and going the tradit..."
In this segment, Wolfe advocates for a shift in educational focus towards teaching making and creativity rather than rote learning. He argues that fostering curiosity and questioning authority is essential for innovation. Wolfe believes that passionate individuals will naturally pursue knowledge and skills, regardless of the specific technologies taught.
"but I think that the kinds of things that used to be really special for venture guys to to be able to do you know increasing they're becoming sort of technology commodities you know I mean you anybody..."
Josh Wolfe shares insights on how entrepreneurs should pitch their ideas, emphasizing the importance of passion over traditional presentation methods. He suggests that a compelling narrative, even through a movie clip, can be more effective than slides. Wolfe seeks to gauge the energy and enthusiasm of entrepreneurs as a predictor of their potential success.
"them I really believe without it sounding like some abstract cool guilt ilysm that passion is the best predictor of success somebody just psychotically driven to go do something they will be autodidac..."
Wolfe highlights the increasing presence of women entrepreneurs in his investment pipeline, sharing examples of successful female founders. He discusses the societal and cultural barriers that women face in entrepreneurship and emphasizes the need for more female role models. Wolfe believes that celebrating women's achievements will inspire future generations and shift cultural narratives.
"exciting Josh thanks again thanks thank you you know we're out of time but I will ask one more question anyways I think I saw a mission women I will say this the next three term sheets we have out lit..."