#279 They Lost $189m DOE Grant, but Survived. Learn Why | Cody Finke (Brimstone)

00:00 – Intro: Cody Finke returns to the podcast.

04:30 – The "Rock Refinery": Moving beyond cement to co-produce aluminum and critical minerals.

05:39 – The Physics of Scale: Why cost parity is impossible with small reactors.

08:12 – The History of Co-Production: From whale oil to Standard Oil's catalytic cracking.

12:39 – "Bad Geologic Luck": Why traditional limestone cement plants can't co-produce.

18:54 – De-Risking Deep Tech: How Brimstone uses off-the-shelf components to build a massive patent moat.

28:33 – Fundraising Strategy: Raising ~$90M and executing pilot plants.

33:44 – PR for Founders: When to stay in stealth and when to reveal your grand vision.

38:18 – The $189M DOE Grant: Winning the money under Biden, losing it under Trump, and why it wasn't a disaster.

45:54 – Geopolitics & Manufacturing: Why critical materials and heavy industry must return to democratic countries.

50:28 – The Ultimate Climate Strategy: Why capitalism only rewards lower costs, not moral outcomes.

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