What if companies could thrive like living ecosystems instead of running like machines? Andrew sits down with Dermot Mee, former COO of Singularity University, for an insightful conversation about innovation, mentorship, and the real forces behind progress.

Dermot shares his journey from rural Ireland to the frontlines of global technology and entrepreneurship. He reveals how convergence – the meeting of people, disciplines, ideas, and tools – drives transformation well beyond what linear thinking achieves.

Together, they explore why adaptable cultures, feedback loops, diverse perspectives, and authentic facilitation are essential for future-ready organizations. Dermot offers stories and actionable advice for anyone passionate about meaningful, purposeful change.

Want to build organizations and communities that embrace complexity and collaboration? This episode is for you.

About the Guest
Dermot Mee is a global executive, connector, and advisor, best known as former COO of Singularity University. With a background spanning biotechnology, operations, and startups, Dermot mobilizes diverse networks to solve complex challenges. He is passionate about helping leaders expand boundaries and create spaces for breakthrough ideas.

Connect with Dermot

Takeaways

• Anyone, regardless of origin, can become a key player by staying curious and open to change.
• Lasting organizational impact comes from shaping culture, not just executing projects.
• Permeable boundaries foster quicker learning and innovation.
• Dissent and diverse perspectives fuel leaps forward.
  Honest disagreement creates stronger, more resilient solutions.
• Facilitators must level the field for genuine participation.
• Modeling learning and growth is the best influence.
• Relationship-driven communities drive outsized impact.
• Every team member can bring creativity and resilience.
• Take risks, build, and iterate – instead of waiting for perfect conditions.
• Knowledge and empathy must come before investment or leadership.

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Quotes

• "You live in a live system. You have to create feedback loops."
• "Breakthroughs don’t happen one step at a time. They happen when worlds collide."
• "Collaboration without accountability is fragile. Accountability without trust kills creativity. It’s about balance."
• "It’s not what you say, it’s what you do that defines your impact on culture."
• "Progress comes from connecting people and ideas you’d never predict, but who share a sense of purpose."
• "You might not know everything, but you know someone who does. That’s the power of a true innovation network."

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Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

07:54 – Restructuring Company Operations for Future Success

11:39 – Thinking Exponentially and Embracing Contrary Opinions

16:26 – Creating Safe Spaces for Productive Conversations

23:47 – Foundational Principles for Innovation and Advancement

30:31 – The Power of Mentorship and Development

34:56 – Building Authentic Relationships and Communities

39:08 – Creating a Better Future through Purpose and Shared Vision

42:25 – The Power of Convening and Reconnecting

49:10 – Understanding the Human Brain for Effective Communication

52:25 – Adjusting Presence for Receptivity in Different Environments

58:01 – The Beginning of an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Period

1:05:15 – Creating Environments for Knowledge Transfer and Access

1:08:38 – Entrepreneurship: Taking Action and Embracing Creativity

1:13:51 – Investing in Exponential Technologies: Understanding Your Thesis

1:18:26 – Feedback and Continuous Learning for Growth

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Tags

#LetsActuate, #Innovation, #Technology, #Mentorship, #Entrepreneurship, #Community, #SingularityUniversity, #CorporateRestructuring, #Collaboration, #FutureThinking, #Leadership, #OrgDesign, #SystemsThinking, #PurposeDriven, #TeamDynamics, #Diversity, #Facilitation

What do Wild West stunt shows, M&A deal rooms, and meme-driven syndicates have in common? Colton Cray, now General Partner at Litquidity Ventures, joins Let’s Actuate to share his journey from the Pistoleros stage at Traildust Town to the frontlines of frontier investing.

Colton explores what it means to practice “risk respect,” which separates great founders from the merely bold. He explains why deep expertise in problem spaces and customer relationships – not engineering in stealth – create real traction, especially in tough fields like aerospace, defense, and applied sciences.

You’ll hear how he thinks about technical risk versus market risk, why successful investing means understanding the story behind the numbers, and how “flight to authenticity” is changing both consumer and investor appetites across tech. The group discusses the value of community, learning from hype cycles, and the signals that matter most for building companies that last.

Takeaways

• Practicing “risk respect” is essential for both founders and investors

• Real traction comes from problem obsession and engaging with customers, not from stealth or pitch decks

• Great companies require systems for decision making and a commitment to learning from failure

• The next tech and investment cycle is driven by a flight to authenticity – community, honesty, and experiences that ring true
• Success in tough markets requires understanding compliance, relationships, and how to drive adoption

• 
  

• Sound bites

  • “The stunt man to VC pipeline remains strong.”
  • “The biggest risk of all is not taking a risk.”
• • “Flight to authenticity is what I'm calling it, and that's my story and I'm sticking to it.”

  
  

  Chapters

  00:00 - Introduction

  08:21 - From Live Stunt Actor to Venture Partner

  15:06 - Choosing a Corporate Law Career as a Stepping Stone

  21:57 - Superpowers: Risk-Taking and Failure Tolerance

  29:15 - Investment Focus: Consumer, Retail, E-commerce, and Frontier Technologies

  38:41 - Building Authentic Solutions

  40:54 - The Potential of Deep Tech

  43:22 - The Importance of Knowing Your Customer

  46:39 - The Role of Product-Led Growth

  48:34 - Timing and Strategy in Entrepreneurship

  50:09 - The Shift Towards Transparency and Collaboration

  53:06 - Understanding Deep Tech

  57:04 - The "Flight to Authenticity"

  01:00:30 - Excitement in Aerospace and Defense

  01:01:34 - The Theme of Authenticity

  
  

  Guest Profile:
  Colton Cray is General Partner at Litquidity Ventures and a former M&A attorney with a quadruple major from the University of Arizona and Rothman Scholar at USC Law. He brings startup, digital media, and fintech experience to his role leading deals in frontier tech, built world, and enhanced digital services.

  Colton is an advocate for founder-market fit and “risk respect,” and is an advocate of taking the unconventional path forward.

  Colton on LinkedIn
  Litquidity Ventures

  
  

• References:

  • ⁠Litquidity Store⁠
• • ⁠Pistoleros Wild West Stunt Show⁠
  • ⁠Traildust Town⁠

• 
  

  Tags

  #LetsActuate, #ColtonCray, #Litquidity, #LitquidityVentures, #VentureCapital, #StartupLife, #DeepTech, #HardTech, #FrontierTech, #FutureOfWork, #Aerospace, #Defensetech, #Entrepreneurship, #Innovation, #FounderStories, #StartupStories, #Authenticity, #RiskTaking, #CustomerObsession, #ProductLedGrowth, #MemeticCulture, #BrandBuilding, #ProblemSolving, #CommunityBuilding, #AI, #ConsumerTech, #TechInvesting, #Investor, #Founders, #BrandStrategy, #BuildingInPublic, #GrowthMindset, #StartupAdvice, #Storytelling, #VC

Venture capital, private equity, and family office models are starting to converge – and the rules are changing.

In this episode, we sit down with Ron Diamond, Chairman & CEO of Diamond Wealth, host of the Family Office World podcast, and trusted advisor to a syndicate of 100+ leading family offices (ranging from $250M to $30B AUM).

Ron unpacks the rise of long-horizon, patient capital, why legacy models in private equity are due for shakeup, and the challenges/opportunities as $84T in wealth transfers to a new, tech-savvy generation.From building trust to the importance of direct investments, the value of educational communities, and the role family offices can play in emerging markets like deep tech and space.This conversation is a can’t-miss for founders, fund managers, and family investors navigating the next wave of private capital!

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Chapters

[00:00] Introduction: Ron’s Journey from Drexel to Diamond Wealth

[03:00] Why Family Offices? Lessons from Wall Street & Hedge Funds

[08:00] Patient Capital: Permanent, Generational Wealth

[11:00] Building Trust: Why Relationships & Reputation Matter

[16:00] Family Office Infrastructure & Minimums

[20:00] Sourcing Deals, Specialization, and VC Lessons

[26:00] Deep Tech, Space, and the Younger Generation's Edge

[34:00] Generational Transition & Embracing Technology

[42:00] The Future: Reviving In-Person Connection, Building Community

[50:00] Personal Goals, Societal Impact & Closing Thoughts

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Connect with Ron Diamond & Diamond Wealth

• Diamond Wealth
• Ron Diamond on LinkedIn
• Family Office World Podcast

• 
  

  –––

  Follow the Let’s Actuate! Podcast

  Subscribe: letsactuate.com

  Youtube: @letsactuate
  

  Connect with Actuate Ventures

  Website: actuateventures.co
  LinkedIn: @actuateventures
  X: @actuateventures

  
  

  –––

  This episode was brought to you by Siemens Software

  To find out more, email: james.gernatt@siemens.com

  Launching a deep-tech startup is not only complex, but also painful to progress through the technical milestones associated with product development. Many companies run out of cash due to lengthy product development cycles and failure to hit technical milestones.

  This is why we’re excited to let our listeners and ecosystem connect with our podcast sponsor, Siemens Industry Software. Specifically, Siemens Xcelerator for Startups software platform (that's Xcelerator with an “X”) helps organizations digitally transform faster.Their startup programs help companies avoid growing pains with access to scalable software. With programs and bundles to support Product Engineering and CAD, Data Management, Simulation, Test, Regulatory and Design Control, these solutions grow with you without eating into your burn rate.

  Mention Actuate Ventures referred you for up to 97% off!

  
  

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  This podcast is for educational purposes only. Nothing in this episode constitutes investment advice.

  –––

  #LetsActuate #FamilyOffice #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #EmergingTech #LongTermCapital #DeepTech #Podcast #Trust

In this episode, we sit down with Amish Patel, founder of Conduit Venture Labs, to discuss how his venture studio is transforming the hardware startup ecosystem. Conduit Venture Labs focuses on co-building and scaling hardware startups in the intersection of physical and digital tech. Amish shares how his studio is creating a database-driven playbook for startup creation, providing early-stage teams with tools, processes, and ongoing support to de-risk the complex journey of hardware development.

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We explore the unique challenges hardware startups face, from the high costs and risks of prototyping to the need for specialized infrastructure and long development cycles. Amish highlights the importance of building common infrastructure across venture studios while allowing for modular funds and specialized verticals. He also discusses the role of the Conduit Fellows Network, which brings together a community of experts to support early-stage companies.

We dive into industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and the built world, which are starting to see increased investment in physical tech and hardware solutions. Amish emphasizes the critical role of strategic partnerships and alignment between co-founders and investors to navigate the hardware landscape. He encourages founders to reach out to venture studios for expertise and resources to accelerate their journey.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or enthusiast interested in the future of hardware, this episode provides deep insights into how venture studios are shaping the future of physical tech.

Tune in to learn how Conduit Venture Labs is driving innovation and building the hardware companies of tomorrow!

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amish Patel

05:28 Amish Patel's Background in Multi-Touch Computing

09:19 The Creation of Catalyst and Proprio

15:33 The Focus of Conduit Venture Labs

24:10 The Future of Hardware Venture Studios

26:20 Creating Common Infrastructure and Practices for Venture Studios

32:44 A Database-Driven Playbook with a Strong Focus on Process

39:39 Being the Hardware Co-Founder for Startups

51:37 Co-founder and Investor Dynamics

57:35 The Value of the Venture Studio Community

01:09:28 Opportunities for Investors in Venture Studios

01:14:31 Getting Involved in the Venture Building Space

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Connect with Amish & Conduit Venture Labs•

https://www.conduitventurelabs.com/• https://www.linkedin.com/in/amishpatel/• https://www.linkedin.com/company/conduit-venture-labs

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Follow the Lets Actuate! Podcast• https://www.instagram.com/letsactuate• https://www.youtube.com/@letsactuate• https://x.com/letsactuate

Reach out to Actuate Ventures • https://www.letsactuate.com • https://www.actuateventures.co• https://www.linkedin.com/company/actuateventures–––

This episode is brought to you by Siemens Software!

To find out more, email: james.gernatt@siemens.com

Launching a deep-tech startup is not only complex, but also painful to progress through the technical milestones associated with product development. Many companies run out of cash due to lengthy product development cycles and failure to hit technical milestones. This is why we’re excited to let our listeners and ecosystem connect with our podcast sponsor, Siemens Industry Software. Specifically, Siemens Xcelerator for Startups software platform (that's Xcelerator with an “X”) helps organizations digitally transform faster. Their startup programs help companies avoid growing pains with access to scalable software. With programs and bundles to support Product Engineering and CAD, Data Management, Simulation, Test, Regulatory and Design Control, these solutions grow with you without eating into your burn rate.

––– #HardwareStartups #VentureStudios #PhysicalTech #StartupInnovation #TechEntrepreneurship #ScalingStartups #ModularFunds #StrategicGrowth #TechVentures #InnovationEcosystem #VentureBuilding #HardwareInnovation #TechInvesting #ProductDevelopment #EarlyStageStartups #FutureTech #Startups

In this episode, we sit down with Zain Premji, a former consultant at Deloitte and technology strategist at Google, who now leads the charge in revolutionizing the way we communicate and secure data through quantum infrastructure. As the CSO and co-founder of SQS, Zain shares how the company is focused on building the foundational systems required to enable secure, large-scale quantum communication.
––– We explore the challenges of adopting quantum technology — from high costs and backward compatibility issues to the need for an entirely new infrastructure. Zain emphasizes the importance of quantum infrastructure, explaining how SQS is leveraging existing fiber networks and planning the development of quantum data pods across the U.S. to demonstrate the power of secure quantum communication.

We also dive into key industries, such as defense, finance, healthcare, and gaming, which are beginning to explore quantum technologies. Zain stresses the importance of strategic partnerships and long-term thinking for both founders and investors as they navigate this emerging field. He also encourages potential customers to educate themselves and consider being early adopters of quantum technology.

Whether you're an innovator, investor, or simply curious about the future of secure communication, this episode offers invaluable insights into the quantum infrastructure revolution and the role it will play in shaping the future of technology. Tune in to learn how SQS is laying the groundwork for the quantum-powered world of tomorrow!

––– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:07 Transition to Entrepreneurship 08:03 Navigating Conversations in Corporate Environments 14:13 The Journey of SQS 20:51 Effective Storytelling for Quantum Technologies 28:15 Building the Infrastructure for Secure Quantum Communication 31:39 Future Plans and Partnerships 32:18 Building a Quantum Network 35:35 Industries Considering Quantum Technology 44:43 The Importance of Partnerships 46:06 Advice for Founders in the Quantum Space 49:18 Considerations for Investors in Quantum Technology 54:32 Educating Potential Customers on Quantum Technology

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Connect with Zain & SQS

• https://www.sqs.world • https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainpremji • https://www.linkedin.com/company/secured-quantum-services ––– Follow the Lets Actuate! Podcast • https://www.instagram.com/letsactuate • https://www.youtube.com/@letsactuate • https://x.com/letsactuate Reach out to Actuate Ventures • https://www.actuateventures.co • https://www.linkedin.com/company/actuateventures ––– This episode is brought to you by Siemens Software! To find out more, email: james.gernatt@siemens.com

Launching a deep-tech startup is not only complex, but also painful to progress through the technical milestones associated with product development. Many companies run out of cash due to lengthy product development cycles and failure to hit technical milestones. This is why we’re excited to let our listeners and ecosystem connect with our podcast sponsor, Siemens Industry Software. Specifically, Siemens Xcelerator for Startups software platform (that's Xcelerator with an “X”) helps organizations digitally transform faster. Their startup programs help companies avoid growing pains with access to scalable software. With programs and bundles to support Product Engineering and CAD, Data Management, Simulation, Test, Regulatory and Design Control, these solutions grow with you without eating into your burn rate. ––– #QuantumInfrastructure #QuantumCommunication #TechInnovation #QuantumTechnology #SecureDataTransfer #FutureOfTech #Entrepreneurship #DeepTech #Innovation #QuantumRevolution #QuantumComputing #EmergingTechnologies #TechFounders #TechInvesting #FutureIndustries #letsactuate