"Ocean is the new space" - 7 Wild Ideas for the $3 Trillion Doll…
About This Episode
Shaan and Sam interview Will O'Brien about the $3 trillion 'ocean economy' and why it is a more immediate opportunity for founders than space exploration. The discussion explores maritime robotics for seagrass restoration, the protection of subsea data cables, and high-stakes ventures like deep-sea treasure hunting and marine geoengineering.
Episode Description
Show Notes
- 0:00Ocean is the new space
- 8:50Ocean surveying
- 10:25Sea grass restoration
- 16:39Defense drones
- 22:34Underwater cable networks
- 31:51Technology windows
- 38:16Lab-grown seafood
- 41:03Pirate treasure profit sharing
- 44:03Marine geo-engineering
- 47:43A new era for tech guys
- 57:52Who Will admires
- 1:01:00Underrated conspiracy theories
- 1:10:27Becoming a monk
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Check Out Sam's Stuff
Key Takeaways
Identify 'local monopolies' in stagnant industries, such as seagrass restoration, where a lack of innovation allows startups to build initial traction and cash flow without competition.
Utilize modern 'technology windows'—the convergence of 3D printing, AI, and Starlink—to build hardware and robotics companies at 10% of the cost of traditional incumbents.
Look for 'trillion-dollar opportunities hidden in plain sight' by applying Silicon Valley talent to legacy sectors like maritime defense, shipping, and environmental stewardship.
Business Ideas Mentioned
Autonomous Deep Sea Treasure Hunting
Boring Business
Commercial Marine Geoengineering Stewardship
Boring Business
Subsea Infrastructure Security Sentry Fleets
AI & Automation