Flux Grant by 1517 Fund: Backing Garage Science and Sci-Fi Tech
632nm10 Touko 2025

Flux Grant by 1517 Fund: Backing Garage Science and Sci-Fi Tech

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we sit down with 1517 Fund’s Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson to explore their Flux program, a unique pre-seed fellowship backing wild, unorthodox scientific and technical ideas. They share how they’ve helped founders transform “garage science” projects—like nuclear batteries, quantum computing prototypes, and cutting-edge materials—into serious startups. Along the way, they discuss the pitfalls of chasing academic prestige, the power of genuine curiosity, and how to leverage minimal resources for big ambitions.

We also learn about the flexibility of Flux’s “cannon launch” grants, what it takes to persuade investors when your idea sounds like sci-fi, and why “hyper-fluency” and high agency are crucial for founders. Whether you’re a postdoc itching to leave the lab or a solo tinkerer with a radical concept, this conversation offers actionable insights on securing early funding and taking that bold plunge into world-changing tech.

Our Guests:

Danielle Strachman: https://x.com/DStrachman

Michael Gibson: https://x.com/William_Blake

1517 Fund: https://t.co/Ltt0eiRJkz

Want to apply for Flux? https://t.co/O8b5C0f21s


Follow us:

Twitter: https://x.com/632nmPodcast

Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/

Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky

Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov

Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin


Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR

Website: https://www.632nm.com/

Jaksot(46)

Einstein Was Wrong: John Clauser on Bell's Theorem and the Nature of Reality

Einstein Was Wrong: John Clauser on Bell's Theorem and the Nature of Reality

In this episode, we sit down with Nobel laureate John Clauser to discuss his experiments from the early 1960’s, testing Bell's inequalities and quantum entanglement. Clauser shares the story of how, a...

25 Marras 20242h 9min

The Science of Drug Discovery: Insights from Artem Evdokimov

The Science of Drug Discovery: Insights from Artem Evdokimov

In this episode, drug discovery scientist Artem Evdokimov discusses the science of pharmaceutical development, from historical breakthroughs to the current landscape. He shares insights on antibiotics...

18 Marras 20242h 50min

Optical Metatronics: Nader Engheta on Electromagnetics and Scientific Curiosity

Optical Metatronics: Nader Engheta on Electromagnetics and Scientific Curiosity

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, Nader Engheta shares his journey and experiences within the field of electromagnetics, from his early days at the University of Tehran and Caltech, to his current...

11 Marras 20241h 54min

Quantum Computing: Peter Zoller and Ignacio Cirac on the Quantum Revolution

Quantum Computing: Peter Zoller and Ignacio Cirac on the Quantum Revolution

In this episode of the 632-nanometer podcast, we explore the evolution of quantum computing with theoretical physicists and experimentalists Peter Zoller and Ignacio Cirac, two pioneers in the field. ...

4 Marras 20241h 16min

Gravitational Waves: Rainer Weiss (Nobel Prize 2017) on Laser Interferometer Observation

Gravitational Waves: Rainer Weiss (Nobel Prize 2017) on Laser Interferometer Observation

In 1916, Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves, however, it took almost a century for researchers to detect them. In this episode of the 632-nanometer podcast, the team has a firesid...

28 Loka 20241h 21min

Synthetic Biology: George Church on Genome Sequencing and De-Extinction

Synthetic Biology: George Church on Genome Sequencing and De-Extinction

The great George Church takes us through the revolutionary journey of DNA sequencing from his early groundbreaking work to the latest advancements. He discusses the evolution of sequencing methods, in...

22 Loka 20241h 10min

Suosittua kategoriassa Tiede

tiedekulma-podcast
rss-mita-tulisi-tietaa
rss-poliisin-mieli
filocast-filosofian-perusteet
rss-metsantuntijat-podcast
mielipaivakirja
rss-duodecim-lehti
university-of-eastern-finland
docemilia
menologeja-tutkimusmatka-vaihdevuosiin
rss-bios-podcast
rss-ranskaa-raakana
rss-astetta-parempi-elama-podcast
rss-tiedetta-vai-tarinaa
rss-ylistys-elaimille
rss-luontopodi-samuel-glassar-tutkii-luonnon-ihmeita
rss-lihavuudesta-podcast
rss-sosiopodi