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May 2, 2023 · 26m · we-live-to-build

Fusion, Quantum, and a Motor That Fits Inside a Wheel

Sean Weisbrot · 12m spoken Dr. Daniel Ries · 10m spoken
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Dr. Daniel Ries of UVC Partners joins host Sean Weisbrot on the 'We Live to Build' podcast to discuss the mechanics of early-stage deep tech investing, exploring frontier sectors like in-wheel motors and fusion power alongside the transformative impact of enterprise data harmonization and artificial intelligence.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Sean holds 54.2% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Sean as informed peer 5.4 Guest teaching 2.8 Guest disagreement 0.4 Sean pushing back 2.8
05100:0010:0020:002:14–5:54 · Sean as informed peer 3/10 Geographic Focus and Hands-On Venture Capital Strategy Sean probes Dr. Ries on UVC's strict European geographic focus and asks for clear definitions and examples of deep tech. Dr. Ries systematically educates on early-stage deep tech investing, portfolio allocation, and their hands-on value proposition.5:55–10:15 · Sean as informed peer 6/10 In-Wheel Motor Vulnerabilities and Investor Due Diligence Mindset Sean challenges the physical vulnerability of in-wheel motors, catching the guest off-guard, and then delivers a lengthy critique of VCs lacking entrepreneurial diligence. Dr. Ries readily agrees that asking failure-mode technical questions is critical.10:15–15:43 · Sean as informed peer 5/10 Navigating Founder Vision and Avoiding Investor Overreach The host pushes on difficult scenarios where investors overreach and impose unwanted visions on founders after checks are signed. Dr. Ries explains the distinction between due diligence probing and post-investment governance dynamics.15:43–17:57 · Sean as informed peer 6/10 Data Harmonization and Strategic Business Intelligence Dr. Ries outlines cross-departmental API data unification startups, and Sean demonstrates direct domain experience by describing the exact collaboration and analytics architecture he built at his own company.17:58–24:19 · Sean as informed peer 7/10 Analyzing Generative AI Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Product Applications Sean commands the discussion on generative AI by sharing hands-on experiments with DAN jailbreaks, search plugins, prompt engineering for product management specs, and safety guardrail biases while the guest listens.2:14–5:54 · Guest teaching 4/10 Geographic Focus and Hands-On Venture Capital Strategy Sean probes Dr. Ries on UVC's strict European geographic focus and asks for clear definitions and examples of deep tech. Dr. Ries systematically educates on early-stage deep tech investing, portfolio allocation, and their hands-on value proposition.5:55–10:15 · Guest teaching 2/10 In-Wheel Motor Vulnerabilities and Investor Due Diligence Mindset Sean challenges the physical vulnerability of in-wheel motors, catching the guest off-guard, and then delivers a lengthy critique of VCs lacking entrepreneurial diligence. Dr. Ries readily agrees that asking failure-mode technical questions is critical.10:15–15:43 · Guest teaching 4/10 Navigating Founder Vision and Avoiding Investor Overreach The host pushes on difficult scenarios where investors overreach and impose unwanted visions on founders after checks are signed. Dr. Ries explains the distinction between due diligence probing and post-investment governance dynamics.15:43–17:57 · Guest teaching 3/10 Data Harmonization and Strategic Business Intelligence Dr. Ries outlines cross-departmental API data unification startups, and Sean demonstrates direct domain experience by describing the exact collaboration and analytics architecture he built at his own company.17:58–24:19 · Guest teaching 1/10 Analyzing Generative AI Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Product Applications Sean commands the discussion on generative AI by sharing hands-on experiments with DAN jailbreaks, search plugins, prompt engineering for product management specs, and safety guardrail biases while the guest listens.2:14–5:54 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Geographic Focus and Hands-On Venture Capital Strategy Sean probes Dr. Ries on UVC's strict European geographic focus and asks for clear definitions and examples of deep tech. Dr. Ries systematically educates on early-stage deep tech investing, portfolio allocation, and their hands-on value proposition.5:55–10:15 · Guest disagreement 0/10 In-Wheel Motor Vulnerabilities and Investor Due Diligence Mindset Sean challenges the physical vulnerability of in-wheel motors, catching the guest off-guard, and then delivers a lengthy critique of VCs lacking entrepreneurial diligence. Dr. Ries readily agrees that asking failure-mode technical questions is critical.10:15–15:43 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Navigating Founder Vision and Avoiding Investor Overreach The host pushes on difficult scenarios where investors overreach and impose unwanted visions on founders after checks are signed. Dr. Ries explains the distinction between due diligence probing and post-investment governance dynamics.15:43–17:57 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Data Harmonization and Strategic Business Intelligence Dr. Ries outlines cross-departmental API data unification startups, and Sean demonstrates direct domain experience by describing the exact collaboration and analytics architecture he built at his own company.17:58–24:19 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Analyzing Generative AI Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Product Applications Sean commands the discussion on generative AI by sharing hands-on experiments with DAN jailbreaks, search plugins, prompt engineering for product management specs, and safety guardrail biases while the guest listens.2:14–5:54 · Sean pushing back 2/10 Geographic Focus and Hands-On Venture Capital Strategy Sean probes Dr. Ries on UVC's strict European geographic focus and asks for clear definitions and examples of deep tech. Dr. Ries systematically educates on early-stage deep tech investing, portfolio allocation, and their hands-on value proposition.5:55–10:15 · Sean pushing back 6/10 In-Wheel Motor Vulnerabilities and Investor Due Diligence Mindset Sean challenges the physical vulnerability of in-wheel motors, catching the guest off-guard, and then delivers a lengthy critique of VCs lacking entrepreneurial diligence. Dr. Ries readily agrees that asking failure-mode technical questions is critical.10:15–15:43 · Sean pushing back 4/10 Navigating Founder Vision and Avoiding Investor Overreach The host pushes on difficult scenarios where investors overreach and impose unwanted visions on founders after checks are signed. Dr. Ries explains the distinction between due diligence probing and post-investment governance dynamics.15:43–17:57 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Data Harmonization and Strategic Business Intelligence Dr. Ries outlines cross-departmental API data unification startups, and Sean demonstrates direct domain experience by describing the exact collaboration and analytics architecture he built at his own company.17:58–24:19 · Sean pushing back 2/10 Analyzing Generative AI Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Product Applications Sean commands the discussion on generative AI by sharing hands-on experiments with DAN jailbreaks, search plugins, prompt engineering for product management specs, and safety guardrail biases while the guest listens.

speaking balance: gold is Sean, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Sean 28.9% · guest 71.1%0:00 · Sean 28.9% · guest 71.1%3:00 · Sean 8.3% · guest 91.7%3:00 · Sean 8.3% · guest 91.7%6:00 · Sean 78% · guest 22%6:00 · Sean 78% · guest 22%9:00 · Sean 87.3% · guest 12.7%9:00 · Sean 87.3% · guest 12.7%12:00 · Sean 20.5% · guest 79.5%12:00 · Sean 20.5% · guest 79.5%15:00 · Sean 30.6% · guest 69.4%15:00 · Sean 30.6% · guest 69.4%18:00 · Sean 79% · guest 21%18:00 · Sean 79% · guest 21%21:00 · Sean 94.9% · guest 5.1%21:00 · Sean 94.9% · guest 5.1%24:00 · Sean 69.7% · guest 30.3%24:00 · Sean 69.7% · guest 30.3%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 2:39 Firm European mandate boundary

Dr. Ries firmly rejects the host's premise that they would consider a US-only startup, emphasizing that hands-on value creation requires their established European network.

 Hardest push from Sean ▶ 6:47 Critique of surface-level VC due diligence

Sean bluntly points out that Dr. Ries had not considered basic mechanical failure risks for an in-wheel motor and argues most VCs lack the founder mindset required for deep technical diligence.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 3:44 Defining deep tech versus quick commerce

Dr. Ries gives a structured breakdown explaining that deep tech fundamentally requires investors to spend extensive time on product architecture rather than rapid scale metrics.

 Sean holds their own ▶ 17:06 Detailed API harmonization product architecture

Sean demonstrates technical and entrepreneurial expertise by detailing his own startup's multi-software API dashboard designed to assess employee and departmental efficiencies.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicSean as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementSean pushing backWhy
Geographic Focus and Hands-On Venture Capital Strategy 3412 Sean probes Dr. Ries on UVC's strict European geographic focus and asks for clear definitions and examples of deep tech. Dr. Ries systematically educates on early-stage deep tech investing, portfolio allocation, and their hands-on value proposition.
In-Wheel Motor Vulnerabilities and Investor Due Diligence Mindset 6206 Sean challenges the physical vulnerability of in-wheel motors, catching the guest off-guard, and then delivers a lengthy critique of VCs lacking entrepreneurial diligence. Dr. Ries readily agrees that asking failure-mode technical questions is critical.
Navigating Founder Vision and Avoiding Investor Overreach 5414 The host pushes on difficult scenarios where investors overreach and impose unwanted visions on founders after checks are signed. Dr. Ries explains the distinction between due diligence probing and post-investment governance dynamics.
Data Harmonization and Strategic Business Intelligence 6300 Dr. Ries outlines cross-departmental API data unification startups, and Sean demonstrates direct domain experience by describing the exact collaboration and analytics architecture he built at his own company.
Analyzing Generative AI Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Product Applications 7102 Sean commands the discussion on generative AI by sharing hands-on experiments with DAN jailbreaks, search plugins, prompt engineering for product management specs, and safety guardrail biases while the guest listens.

Statements from this episode (6)

Disclosure
UVC Partners invests €2M–€4M initial tickets from €250M Fund III
“I'm working at UBC Partners a Munich slash Berlin based investment fund that is focused, as you said, on future tech or B to B deep tech where we make our investments. It's a classic early stage VC. Increase it to series A out of a two hundred fifty million fu…”
Dr. Daniel Ries May 2, 2023 ▶ 1:23
Disclosure
UVC Portfolio Company Builds In-Wheel Motor Smaller Than Existing Engines
“One portfolio company of ours is building an engine that you can fit into the wheel, and that is much smaller than any combustion engine. Any electricity engine that is currently existing, and just the pure size and efficiency of it essentially allows to not o…”
Dr. Daniel Ries May 2, 2023 ▶ 5:13
Insight
Weisbrot prefers pure capital over value-add investors lacking technical curiosity
“I've encountered investors that are just money and investors that want to add value. And I prefer the investors that just have money because I can do the rest of myself with a team. But if someone is interested in, in nerding out and being on the board and try…”
Sean Weisbrot May 2, 2023 ▶ 8:21
Insight
Ries: VCs Must Support Founders Without Imposing Their Own Company Vision
“As a VC, you should support your portfolio company a thousand percent, but you should also not enforce You know, your thoughts or your DNA or what you think the business, the direction of the business should be heading onto the company either should be driven …”
Dr. Daniel Ries May 2, 2023 ▶ 11:46
Insight
Ries: Pre-Term-Sheet Diligence Poses Highest Risk of Investor Overreach
“I think the point where this is, you know, the most, the biggest threat that this happens, if you are looking at a company and you are in a due diligence process and you are not essentially have not signed the term sheet yet, or you have not essentially like s…”
Dr. Daniel Ries May 2, 2023 ▶ 12:37
Insight
Sean Weisbrot: Deep Tech Requires Much Longer Timelines for Investor ROI
“If you're trying to do something in deep tech, it's not going to just be a marathon. It's going to be 10 marathons because that's how long it takes to get an ROI as an investor.”
Sean Weisbrot May 2, 2023 ▶ 24:59
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