Hyperloop VC presentation

The following is a hypothetical conversation between Elon Musk (EM) presenting Hyperloop and a Silicon Valley VC (SVC).

SVC: Good Morning, Mr. Musk. So, tell me a little bit more about Hyperloop.

EM: Hyperloop basically would transport passengers in individual aluminum pods powered by turbines and solar energy in above-ground tubes.

SVC: Seems like Science Fiction.

EM: Have you read the white paper?

SVC: Can't say that I have read all 57-pages cover-to-cover. But I did glance through it. What would this cost to build?

EM: This is actually spelled out in the paper, on Page 6. It would cost around $6b to build.

SVC: Have you built a prototype?

EM: Not yet. It is theoretically proven and thermodynamically feasible.

SVC: So, you would like us to fund an idea that you hope will turn out to be commercially feasible. How long will this take to complete?

EM: It would take 3-4 years to build a working prototype and then 4-5 years after that for the full-scale working version.

SVC: So, 7-9 years before you start realizing any revenue

EM: Your math is good

SVC: How much are you looking to raise?

EM: It would cost around $100m to build the initial prototype.

SVC: I am sorry, Mr. Musk. If you had a working prototype, we would be willing to take the risk and make an investment. At this stage, your idea is unproven and may not be realized. It is too risky for us to invest now.

EM: That is okay. I will probably fund this myself. If I charge just $20 for the ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the current traffic of 7.5m people could well increase to 10 - 15m people. This will result in breaking even in less than 10 years.

Homage to a Departed Soul

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I write this with a heavy heart and deep sadness. The kindest person that I have known is no more. On Monday, July 29 my mother, Mrs. Sharada Krishnamoorthy left for a heavenly abode. She was feeling unwell for a few days – which is not unusual in and of itself. She was certainly not in the pink of her health. She would have her good days and her bad days – certainly not unexpected for a 73-year old. Which is why her sudden passing due to a pulmonary cardiac arrest was so unexpected and a complete shock.

She had three passions in her life:

•  Family / Children / Grandchildren
•  Music and art
•   Devotion and Religion

As it happened, she was able to “check off” all three passions in the last few months:

• She spent time in North America with her children for the last few months culminating in a family reunion that we had in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
• She rushed back from California to be able to attend a “thread ceremony” function – where she was able to meet the extended family
• This was immediately followed by her attending the “Thiruppugazh Aanmeeka Peruvizha” (Special function for "Tiruppugazh Anbargals") in Chennai

She passed the way she wanted. Her God granted her that wish. She did not want a long and protracted illness. She did not want to be a “burden” on anyone. She has, nonetheless, left a void in our lives - a void that is going to be hard to fill.

A Facebook Page has been created for you to share your remembrance of her. Please add your respects / remembrances / condolence to https://www.facebook.com/SharadaKMoorthy