Flux Grant by 1517 Fund: Backing Garage Science and Sci-Fi Tech
· 47 min · Episode 24
Episode 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/
Links in the notes 12
- https://x.com/DStrachman
- https://x.com/William_Blake?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- https://t.co/Ltt0eiRJkz
- https://t.co/O8b5C0f21s
- https://x.com/632nmPodcast
- https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
- https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
- https://x.com/MYShalaginov
- https://x.com/XinghuiYin
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/632nm/id1751170269
- https://open.spotify.com/show/4aVH9vT5qp5UUUvQ6Uf6OR
- https://www.632nm.com/
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