Joining me this week is RJ Scaringe, founder & CEO of Rivian, the electric automaker backed by Amazon and Volkswagen.
RJ has wanted to build cars for as long as he can remember — telling his father at age 10 that he hoped to one day start an automotive company.
Years later, in 2009, he took the leap. There was "no money, no team, no technology, no suppliers, no brand and no production infrastructure," as he puts it.
Now, as the company launches a new vehicle, doubles down on AI and autonomous driving, and charts a path to steady profitability, RJ takes us through the lessons from building an automaker from the ground up — and one of the world's most closely watched EV companies.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00 Introduction
01:26: Early beginnings
07:06: Starting Rivian from a clean sheet in 2009, post-recession
12:31: Navigating skepticism and 'comically bad' investor meetings in the early days
16:04: Meeting Jeff Bezos and securing Amazon's investment
17:24: Entering the market with its first two vehicles, the R1T and R1S
21:57: Launch of the R2 this year
25:22: Near-term challenges: supply chain risks
31:19: Challenges in EV sector and RJ's outlook
33:35: Balancing Wall Street's short-term expectations with long-term vision
37:00: Rivian's intended path to steady profitability
38:42: Why Rivian developed its own AI chip
40:42: Self-driving vehicles
47:43: Teaming up with Volkswagen
48:20: RJ's new venture, Mind Robotics
52:27: Factory automation
53:47: RJ's end game
56:29: Rapid-fire round
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#Autos #EVs #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #AutonomousVehicles #SelfDrivingCars #Robotics #Mobility #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #WallStreet #AI #Technology #CareerStory #BusinessPodcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
