#10 | Victor Vescovo: We Warned OceanGate They Would Kill People

Victor Vescovo warned OceanGate that the Titan submersible would fail. Two of his friends were aboard when it imploded.More on Victor Vescovo and this episode: thedealtablepodcast.com/episodes/victor-vescovoHe explains why carbon fiber was the wrong material for a deep sea hull, why Stockton Rush would not hear it, and how the same risk discipline that keeps him alive at full ocean depth governs the way he underwrites a deal. Turning back on Everest and walking away from a term sheet are the same muscle.Vescovo co-founded Insight Equity and raised $1.5 billion in private equity, and now runs Caladan Capital. He is a former US Naval intelligence officer who has flown to space with Blue Origin, summited Everest, and piloted a submersible to the deepest point of all five oceans.The investing half of the conversation covers where he puts money now: SpaceX, de-extinction work at Colossal Biosciences, asteroid mining and other exotic technology, plus why first-mover advantage is mostly a myth and what actually makes a company durable.Victor Vescovo is the founder and CEO of Caladan Capital and a co-founder of Insight Equity, where he helped raise $1.5 billion. A former US Naval intelligence officer, he has summited Everest, flown to space with Blue Origin, and is the first person to reach the deepest point in all five oceans.KEY MOMENTS00:00 The Titan question, asked up front02:48 Everest, the deep ocean, and space04:46 Fewer people down there than in orbit06:01 Titan against Limiting Factor11:43 Betting on de-extinction16:32 What exploration teaches venture23:51 Risk when the stakes are your life27:26 Everest, and knowing when to turn back48:58 Asteroid mining and space tech55:26 First-mover myths and durabilityNewsletter: thedealtablepodcast.com/connectLane Carrick on selling a business, The Optima Advantage: amzn.to/48nLElWInstagram: instagram.com/thedealtablepodcast/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-deal-table/The Deal Table is hosted by Ryan Harper and Lane Carrick, filmed in Dallas, and produced by Harper Belmont Media.