MIT President Emeritus Dr. Rafael Reif joins host Michael Marks for a discussion about the state of U.S. competitiveness in technology, university research funding, current immigration policy, and more. Reif explains why universities remain the innovation engines of economies, educating top talent and generating the foundational research that powers emerging tech and creates new industries. He candidly assesses U.S.-China competition, warns that Chinese research output is rapidly outpacing our own, and urges renewed federal investment.
The discussion explores how restrictive immigration policies threaten the flow of global talent into the U.S and his own impression of current policies as an immigrant from Venezuela himself. As a TSMC board member, Reif also touches on the strategic need for domestic semiconductor fabs, Intel’s path forward, and TSMC’s edge in advancing cutting-edge nodes. Lastly, he addresses gaps in the venture capital funding space and why he created MIT’s The Engine incubator model to fund “tough tech” startups, which helped launch breakthroughs like Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
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Connect with Rafael Reif on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-rafael-rief-b8977b231
Explore how MIT’s Engine incubator is fueling “tough tech” startups like fusion power. Learn about The Engine
https://engine.xyz/Watch Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ plan to deliver commercial fusion energy. Discover CFS
https://cfs.energy/What is TechSurge: Deep Tech Podcast?
The TechSurge: Deep Tech VC Podcast explores the frontiers of emerging tech, venture capital, and business trends, with conversations tailored for entrepreneurs, technologists, and investment professionals. Presented by Celesta Capital, and hosted by Founding Partners Nic Brathwaite, Michael Marks, and Sriram Viswanathan. Send feedback and show ideas to techsurge@celesta.vc.
Each discussion delves into the intersection of technology advancement, market dynamics, and the founder journey, offering insights into the vast opportunities and complex challenges ahead. Episode topics include AI, data center transformation, blockchain, cyber security, healthcare innovation, VC investment trends, tips for first-time founders, and more.
Tune in to hear directly from Silicon Valley leaders, daring new founders, and visionary thinkers. Past guests include investor Vinod Khosla, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, the Global Head of McKinsey, and executive leaders from Microsoft, OpenAI, and other leading tech companies.
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