Movers & Makers

Why is 2025 shaping up to be a promising year for the battery industry, and how are companies positioning themselves for success in this burgeoning market? In this episode, Greg and Will dive into the key takeaways from the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving battery industry. While the electric vehicle market remains a major focus, they explore the growing potential of energy storage solutions for utilities, despite political uncertainties and fluctuating EV demand. The episode highlights the contrasting fortunes of battery manufacturers, from Northvolt's financial struggles to the success stories of Lyten and Morrow, which are securing significant funding for growth. A central theme of the discussion is Diagon's strategic pivot and $4.3M raise in 2024. Will shares how the company transitioned from a complex procurement software model to a more streamlined marketplace approach, directly addressing customer needs and positioning itself for greater success. The episode looks ahead with optimism, emphasizing the promising outlook for the battery industry in 2025. With a focus on supporting customers and collaborating with industry experts, Diagon is poised to thrive as the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve.   In This Episode: (00:00) Comprehensive analysis of insights from the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference in Las Vegas, optimism in the energy storage sector despite challenges in electric vehicle demand, Northvolt, Lyten and Morrow (14:09) Strategic pivots for startups, successful pivot from complex software to a marketplace model (22:05) Using a Super Mario analogy, solving business challenges step-by-step to uncover new opportunities, especially in the battery industry (26:00) Economic outlook and positive economic indicators for 2025, focus on growth opportunities, older companies entering the battery market Share with someone who would benefit, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!   About the show: The Movers and Makers podcast, powered by Diagon.ai, explores the future of manufacturing and supply chain innovation. Hosted by Diagon co-founders Will Drewery and Greg Smyth, the show will cover factory-building strategies, manufacturing processes, and market insights. With expertise from Diagon, a leader in reshoring and streamlining manufacturing equipment procurement, the podcast offers valuable perspectives for engineers, executives, and enthusiasts, aiming to optimize supply chains and drive efficiency in the industry.   About the hosts: Will Drewery Will Drewery is the founder and CEO of Diagon, an equipment marketplace focused on serving the battery industry. With a background in equipment procurement, Will's career began as a DOD contractor in Iraq in 2009, followed by significant experience at Tesla (2012-2018), where he built and led the equipment procurement team. He also gained valuable tech expertise working with Social Construct and Astra. In February 2024, Will successfully led Diagon through a pivot from a procurement software model to its current marketplace focus, raising $4.3M in Series A funding. His mission is to simplify the complex processes of sourcing, financing, and managing machinery for high-tech industries, particularly in batteries and aerospace. Greg Smyth is a co-founder and current VP of Supply Chain for Diagon, as well as a venture partner and podcast host. Greg has extensive experience in engineering, supply chain management, and investment. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada, Greg worked at E...

In this inaugural episode of the *Movers and Makers* podcast, hosts Greg Smyth and Will Drewery, co-founders of Diagon.ai, dive into the founding story of Diagon, sharing their unique experiences from Tesla and their time working in Russia and Iraq. Greg and Will discuss their vision for revitalizing American manufacturing, touching on the topics of venture capital, the importance of founder intuition, and the need for re-industrialization in the face of political and supply chain hurdles. They also introduce the three core themes for upcoming episodes of the podcast: factory-building strategies, deep dives into manufacturing processes, and valuable market insights. This episode sets the stage for future discussions on the cutting-edge of manufacturing innovation.   In This Episode: (00:00) Introduction to Movers and Makers podcast, origin stories, San Fransisco event (02:55) Impactful experiences at Tesla, and in Russia and Iraq  (09:30) Greg’s Russia story, Will’s Fallujah story (14:30) Naming inspiration for Diagon from Harry Potter, motivation for starting the company, angel investing (23:06) Venture capital - challenges and issues (28:23) Understanding the total addressable market (TAM) in manufacturing  (31:25) Role of founder intuition in recognizing opportunities, rising technology and the Mom test, re-industrialization - carrots vs. sticks (38:50) Challenges of tariffs, political regimes, and supply chain disruptions  (41:37) Future episode themes, manufacturing processes, technology, current events, and market insights (47:58) Closing thoughts   About the show: The Movers and Makers podcast, powered by Diagon.ai, explores the future of manufacturing and supply chain innovation. Hosted by Diagon co-founders Will Drewery and Greg Smyth, the show will cover factory-building strategies, manufacturing processes, and market insights. With expertise from Diagon, a leader in reshoring and streamlining manufacturing equipment procurement, the podcast offers valuable perspectives for engineers, executives, and enthusiasts, aiming to optimize supply chains and drive efficiency in the industry.   About the hosts: Will Drewery is the founder and CEO of Diagon, a procurement marketplace for manufacturing equipment. With a background in equipment buying, Will’s career began as a DOD contractor in Iraq (2009), followed by his work at Tesla (2012-2018), where he built and led the equipment procurement team. He also has deep tech experience with Social Construct and Astra. Will's career has focused on simplifying the complex process of sourcing, financing, and managing machinery for high-tech industries like batteries and aerospace, leading him to create Diagon. Greg Smyth is a co-founder and current VP of Supply Chain for Diagon, as well as a venture partner and podcast host. Greg has extensive experience in engineering, supply chain management, and investment. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada, Greg worked at ExxonMobil for 8 years before moving to Silicon Valley in 2016. At Tesla, he spent 4 years negotiating contracts, leading the development of self-driving hardware, and managing full life cycle commodity procurement—from raw materials to recycling. Greg is also an angel investor who continues to drive Diagon’s growth and success.   Resources: Diagon.ai