JBP + DJR Blank Mtg Debrief
Attendees: Dustin J Ross, Bliss Perry Date: February 19, 2026 Type: Partner Session
Summary
Steve Blank Meeting Debrief
- Positive reception overall - liked broad contours, hypothesis organization, risk hedging analogy
- Didn’t reject any core business hypotheses as invalid
- Pushed back slightly on Netflix connection but not fundamental concept
- Key feedback: “Don’t pick a direction yet. Do more analysis first”
- Uncomfortable for entrepreneur mindset but necessary
- Perfect argument for pursuing RDI (Research & Development Initiative)
- Next meeting scheduled for week of March 9th
- Need to present petal diagrams for each viable business
- Steve will help choose which “flower to pick”
Four Business Categories Identified
- Need to create separate petal diagrams for each:
- Commodities & hedging
- Price indexes, different hedging products
- Atomic units: GPUs, CPUs, microprocessors, cores
- Half-life prediction combining physical properties + market assessment
- Insurance products
- Different insurance types as petals
- Data intelligence platform
- Likely overlaps with marketplace concept
- Compliance
- Export controls, various regulatory workflows
- Commodities & hedging
- Research needed: identify different players vs same companies across workflows
- Industries likely agnostic (batteries vs semiconductors use same frameworks)
Next Steps & Action Items
- Tomorrow noon-1pm: Define categories, identify individual petals, prioritize conversations
- Email Steve Blank today requesting March 9th week meeting
- Pursue key connections:
- Steve Weinstein (top priority) - approach at mixer tonight with Steve Blank referral
- Jeff Felter - send follow-up email, find in person
- RDI application - both putting names in lottery (6 credits total, 2+2 structure)
- Strategy: Lead with Steve Blank endorsement, request 15min private meeting
- Reasoning by analogy approach - continue pushing this framework
- Don’t reveal comprehensive vision early - focus on specific, pointed questions