Follow-up: ABNI/Bliss/Dustin

Attendees: Dustin J Ross, Bliss Perry, Joe Malchow Date: March 18, 2026 Type: Partner Session

Summary

Shifted from compliance-focused approach to “shiny object” strategy
- Steve Blank advised: build macroeconomic semiconductor simulation first
- Get attention with compelling demo, then discover customer needs
- Ann from Floodgate: build 10 versions in AI era, see what resonates
Focus on probabilistic supply chain resilience modeling vs binary “China/no-China” certification
- Show impact of removing China: 15% price increase but no volume limits
- More nuanced than simple compliance box-checking

Target downstream electronics companies (75th percentile in supply chain)
- Auto tier-2 companies (Magna, Delphi)
- Networking/communications electronics
- Aerospace companies
- Consumer electronics tier-2
Avoid semiconductor fabs initially due to:
- Limited players (TSMC, Samsung, Intel)
- Currently in boom cycle (less motivated to optimize)
- Difficult initial penetration
Electronics companies have more pain, authority to request supplier data

Use downstream customers as data requesters to upstream suppliers
- Create tenant-specific portals (e.g., “Toyota supply chain system”)
- Leverage customer authority to onboard suppliers
- Build federated multi-tenant model
Insurance angle: parametric policies based on supply chain indexes
- Hedge fund connection: offset portfolio risk via prediction markets

Nick Santhanam (ex-McKinsey semiconductors, now investor in Los Altos)
- Had stroke but mentally sharp, has team
- Can provide industry connections and customer introductions
Kogan (Bergelman’s co-instructor) - father of GSB classmate dating his son
Tyler Goodspeed (Chief Economist at ExxonMobil) for trading house insights
Applied Materials connection through Steve Blank consulting relationship

Iran situation analysis with Ali’s perspective
- Current regime promoting Arabic over Persian culture
- Population exodus to Europe/US/Dubai
- Abbas Milani’s evolved stance on foreign intervention
McMaster’s assessment: Iran has 3 weeks of munitions at current rate
Supply chain implications of sovereign manufacturing push globally

Co-list class between Engineering and GSB next year
- 40 students: 10 GSB, 30 Engineering (4-person teams)
- Application-based admission, smaller cohort (vs current 60)
- Bergelman willing to sponsor from Engineering side
- Eventually evolve to startup-focused format like Lean Launchpad

Gravity Climate as model for data aggregation approach
- Energy/carbon auditing with supplier data requests
- Dual purpose: regulatory compliance + cost optimization
Distributors (Arrow, Future Electronics) as potential strategic wedge
- Handle exotic/low-volume components
- Tough trading business but good data position