these are coaching highlights in tks activate to understand why big problems that were solvable for the last 5+ years still exist today, while trying to solve them tomorrow.
why do we need earthshots?
as moonshots make a 10x better future, earthshots are multiplers for a better present.
in my role as program director and coach
check out final presentations from the top teams
teaching 100M+ children how to enjoy the process of learning to read and write in augmented reality.
helping employ 100,000 ukranian refugees with a centralized background check and accelerated language training.
instant micronutrient testing with microfluidic biosensors, reducing cost from $10M to $250k for national samples
lab grown cotton aims to use 80% less water per kg of crop than land based alternatives and is 12x faster to grow.
accelerating flow state battery ion-exchange membrane material discovery using machine learning
accelerating the development of a non-hormonal male contraceptive pill using machine learning for drug repurposing.
1. earthshot idea: it’s ambitious as it aims to solve a large important problem or enables an interesting, impactful future. it’s also thoughtful in understanding why the problem still exists today, with a clear gap.
2. feasible: thoughtful in approach for solving the problem. shows research and mock-ups. there is an implementation strategy.
3. economic incentives: has a target customer with a willingness to pay and market hypothesis for how to build this into a company and not be a charity.
4. legit branding: the name, the slides, the website, and visual mockups should be great design. it should feel like a real company.
spotlight: kheyti
framing: a majority of indian farmers are smallholders ( <1 hectacre of land) producing 50% of the agricultural output and making up a third of total employment. the constraints of running a smaller operation combined with climatic risks, including increased drought, unseasonal rains, and unexpected pests, has made it hard for farmers to make a viable living.
problem: in india, 100 million smallholder farmers earn ~$1000 a year, with high variance and low dependability.
vision: how might we double the farmer's income in a reliable way so that they earn $100 every single month?
solution: a 216 square meter, steel frame greenhouse, enabling market ready produce to be grown on a small portion of the land with limited water and pest protection. this is paired with training, specific inputs, and market partnerships.
challenge: with the high overhead of the greenhouse, kheyti explores a pay as you grow model compared to large contract farming to see what makes sense to help enable more accessibility in the market for their solution.
check out more case studies
what i would keep doing
what i would do differently
audacious projects by ted
as an early stage deep tech investor, rahul explore differnet tactical perspectives and philosophies on how to invest in larger breakthroughs in science and technology. check out ted talks →
unreasonable group
as a founder and investor, naveen reveals a creative take on questioning fundamental industries that have seen little change in the last 30 years, including space tech and education. check out their portfolio →
$100m in change by macarthur foundation
this youtube video covers strategic functions of innovation as it relates to starting new projects and building a culture of doing the hard things. check out the finalists →