Tommy Stadlen co-founded Giant Ventures and hosts the Giant Ideas podcast, where he interviews founders and investors about using technology as a force for good, positioning himself as both a capital allocator and public convener of mission-driven thinkers. He emphasizes backing founders with extreme perseverance and long-term problem obsession as the primary predictor of success, citing examples like Calm's four-year gap between funding rounds as positive proof of this founder-first investment approach.

• A strong thesis that founders, rather than politicians, are the key to solving the climate crisis. This is evidenced by his recurring support for companies tackling decarbonization, such as Agreena, which connects farmers with carbon offsets, and Papaya, a startup focused on electrifying corporate vehicle fleets.
• Invests heavily in healthcare solutions that aim to fix systemic inefficiencies or improve quality of life. Highlights include his backing of Sesame for reducing costs by bypassing insurance providers and his support for Doccla, which uses virtual wards to alleviate hospital overcrowding.
• Promotes deep conversations on macro-level global trends through his podcast. He frequently shares insights from interviews with high-profile figures, such as Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk on prioritizing long-term trust over short-term gains and Ray Dalio on principles for work and life.
• focused on the application of artificial intelligence to solve physical world problems, particularly in biology and agriculture. One specific example is his interest in Avalo, a company utilizing machine learning to predict gene traits for climate-resistant crops.
• Leverages a network of celebrity and political figures to amplify social and environmental impact. Tweets often mention collaborations with advisors like Leonardo DiCaprio on water conservation initiatives or working with former politicians like David Miliband to support refugee relief efforts.
• Champions the mental health and wellness sector as a major growth area. He views platforms like Calm not just as apps but as leaders in a sleep and mental health awakening that is still in its early stages.