Gene Berdichevsky (co-founder and CEO of Sila Nano)

Big dreams, bold vision, and boundless curiosity.

Earlier this month, Icons had the honor of hosting Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of Sila Nano and one of the original engineers behind Tesla's lithium ion battery technology. Gene’s journey exemplifies the strength of having a clear vision, staying committed and embracing curiosity.

Here are a few key insights from Gene:

• Shoot for the moon — big dreams drive big change. Transformative progress often comes from ideas that initially seem too ambitious or impossible. Aiming high is what leads to breakthroughs that truly change the status quo.

• The power of commitment to the full journey. Gene reflected on a key decision during his time at Tesla. Despite his desire to start his own venture, he committed to seeing the Roadster through the entire cycle — from concept to shipment. This decision provided him with invaluable insights into the complexities of bringing an idea to life and scaling it.

• Stay curious. Gene’s curiosity led to a transformative mentorship, where while sharing his technical expertise, he gained critical business knowledge in return. Curiosity is the key to discovering new opportunities and learning across disciplines.

Gene left us inspired to explore innovative technologies and the power of perseverance, curiosity, and bold vision in shaping a better future.

A huge thank you to Gene for his candid insights and for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in energy storage. Thanks to Silk Road Innovation Hub for providing the perfect setting to discuss the next breakthroughs in energy!