Atlas Berry (M1C)
Read the VC Uncovered Profile:
https://www.vcuncovered.com/p/atlas-berry-m1c
In this Episode
Drew Glover talks to Atlas Berry from Mission One Capital (M1C) on the “physical AI” revolution and the industrial infrastructure required to power it.
Atlas, the founder of M1C, explains that the U.S. power grid is facing a “comfort crisis,” currently unable to meet the massive energy demands of AI. He positions M1C as a specialist partner focusing on three pillars: energy, industrial resilience, and earth systems. By prioritizing “behind the meter” power generation and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), the firm aims to build a decentralized, resilient power landscape that can operate independently of the traditional, strained grid.
The conversation takes a compelling turn as Atlas shares his transition from high-stakes investment banking in South African mines—where meetings required security sweeps for explosives—to managing the global footprint of Linkin Park. These high-pressure environments, coupled with early venture experience backing companies like Lyft and Snap, shaped his “performance protocol” for evaluating the next generation of industrial founders.
The episode is particularly insightful when he discusses the “Misogi”: an annual challenge with a 50% chance of failure designed to recalibrate a founder’s mental and physical endurance. Atlas argues that building in hard-tech is an endurance sport, requiring “battle-tested” individuals from military or elite engineering backgrounds. He cautions that in an infrastructure-heavy future, specialized VCs must act as more than just capital providers, serving as deep value-add partners for those solving tangible, world-scale problems.
Sponsor:
This season is supported by SVB. Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank. Member FDIC. SVB is a trusted collaborator for the founders pushing boundaries and the investors who back them. We’re proud to have them as our sponsor.
Please note, this podcast is for informational purposes and is not investment, financial, or legal advice. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of SVB.
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