TBD session Bliss + Dustin (Mar 15)

Attendees: Dustin J Ross, Bliss Perry Date: March 15, 2026 Type: Partner Session

Summary

Successfully built culture and working relationship foundation
- Established tight iteration cycles via Signal chats + weekly touchpoints
- Created shared values and ways of working before product focus
Developed strong research and relationship-building capabilities
- Built network of 5-10 advisors/mentors (Dasher, Yonku, Ike, Macho, Ali Weinstein)
- Achieved breakthrough with Steve Blank through persistent outreach
- Mastered AI-powered research tools for industry deep-dives
Converged on semiconductor supply chain digital twin concept
- Shifted from quantum/AI focus to enablement strategy (“picks and shovels”)
- Identified financialization layer as biggest gap in semiconductor industry
- Developed thesis around superior data product as competitive moat

Strengths identified:
- Shared energy and daily forward momentum
- Fearless approach to growth edges and networking
- Strong communication with no missed deadlines/acknowledgments
- Complementary skills in research synthesis and relationship building
Areas for improvement:
- Converting data intake to actionable hypotheses and customer insights
- Maintaining consistent weekly progress vs. lumpy productivity
- Balancing scheduling flexibility vs. commitment reliability
- Moving from macro industry analysis to specific customer problems

50% confidence targets (minimum viable success):
- Product: Notional MVP complete with fake data demonstrations
- Customer: 1 signed MOU/pilot agreement with design partner
- Investor: 3 meetings scheduled with top-tier VCs (Founders Fund, Sequoia, A16Z)
90% confidence targets (strong success):
- Product: MVP built and integrated with minimum viable data
- Customer: Contract inked with paying customer + agreement to expose data
- Investor: Verbal funding commitment from tier-1 VC
99% confidence targets (exceptional outcome):
- Product: V0 deployed to production with actual customer data
- Customer: Exclusive contract with TSMC, Nvidia, Intel, Samsung, or US Government
- Investor: Term sheet signed with Founders Fund or equivalent

Phase 1: Build collection of notional demos for customer validation
- Focus on Taiwan invasion scenario simulation as lead demo
- Create multiple workflow options (compliance, marketplace, supply chain modeling)
Phase 2: Customer feedback aggregation to select single MVP focus
- Transition from breadth-first exploration to depth-first development
- Validate one specific use case with multiple design partners
Phase 3: Integration with real customer data and production deployment
- Secure actual supply chain data from tier-1 semiconductor companies
- Deploy software on customer networks with IT approval

Target customer list established:
- Primary: TSMC, Intel, Samsung, Nvidia, AMD
- Secondary: Apple, Google, Tesla, SpaceX, ASML, Tokyo Electron
Approach: Lead with digital twin demo to secure design partnerships
- Leverage existing network connections (Minsok at Nvidia)
- Use “shiny object” strategy to get attention, then convert to partnerships
Success metrics: Move from 20+ customer conversations to 3+ design partnerships to 1+ paying contract

Target VC firms: Founders Fund (priority), Sequoia, A16Z, American Dynamism
- Leverage Peter Thiel connection through Steve Blank network
- Position as critical infrastructure play with national security implications
Funding rationale: Signal/credibility for customer acquisition, not immediate capital needs
- Bliss has personal runway from Palantir equity ($6→$160 stock appreciation)
- Primary need is network access and validation for enterprise customers

This week’s meetings: Malav (Wednesday), McMaster (Wednesday), Burke (Thursday)
- Present updated one-pager plus Q2 goals framework
- Ask for specific introductions to target customers/investors
Document finalization: Complete memo writing and line editing
AI productivity setup: Implement shared OpenClaw rig as “chief of staff”
Break planning: Minimal work during spring break, touch base April 3rd

Shared AI assistant (OpenClaw) for project management
- Separate personal rigs + shared company instance
- Estimated $5/month cost for virtual hosting vs. $500 Mac Mini upfront
Data architecture planning for customer integrations
- Federation model for sensitive semiconductor supply chain data
- Compliance requirements for government/defense contractor data

Schedule follow-up session for tactical planning (tomorrow 3-4pm during SF trip)
Create table version of Q2 goals for advisor meetings
Finalize press release draft and document editing
Armenia/Georgia travel planning coordination through Luke connection