# S12 E9: Mitesh Agrawal, Positron

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/code-story/s12-e9-mitesh-agrawal-positron
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/code-story/s12-e9-mitesh-agrawal-positron.md
Podcast: [Code Story: Insights from Startup Tech Leaders](https://stenobird.com/podcast/code-story)
Published: 2026-03-10T10:00:37+00:00
Episode link: https://codestory.co/podcast/e9-mitesh-agrawal-positron/
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/audio4.redcircle.com/episodes/67420aa5-5f7e-4eef-b88e-be37899ca2e3/stream.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/code-story/episodes/s12-e9-mitesh-agrawal-positron
Duration seconds: 2079

## Resource

Mitesh Agrawal explains how Positron is tackling the memory capacity bottleneck in AI inference by developing a new silicon architecture. The discussion covers the transition from supercomputing at Lambda to building purpose-built hardware for massive AI models.

## Highlights
- Main idea: AI model growth is creating a critical memory capacity bottleneck during the inference stage
- Technical challenge: Moving beyond traditional SRAM architectures to solve memory-on-chip limitations using DRAM
- Practical takeaway: Building a high-efficiency team (under 20 people for Gen 1) is a viable strategy for complex hardware startups
- Failure mode: Avoiding the trap of over-solving for scale before establishing real-world product value and usage
- Philosophical lesson: Entrepreneurial longevity requires finding deep passion in the work to endure the inevitable low points

## Topics

AI Inference, Silicon Design, Hardware Architecture, Machine Learning Infrastructure, Semiconductor Engineering, Startup Scaling, Memory Capacity, Deep Tech

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The Vision for AI Hardware: Mitesh discusses the potential impact of AI technology and the mission of the Positron team.
- 7:20 — The Inference Bottleneck: Identifying the thesis that increasing model sizes necessitate new approaches to vector-matrix multiplication and memory.
- 10:20 — Architectural Innovations: Exploring the trade-offs between SRAM and DRAM and how Positron is innovating on memory technology.
- 16:50 — Scaling Engineering Teams: How to maintain high capital and people efficiency while driving high-speed silicon design.
- 20:10 — The Strategy of Ambition: Navigating the risks of R&D in the silicon industry and the importance of aiming for massive growth.
- 26:20 — Economic Scale in Hardware: Contrasting the challenges of servicing billion-dollar purchase orders versus small-scale deployments.
- 38:50 — Advice for Entrepreneurs: The importance of passion, work ethic, and pursuing large-scale ambitions in the tech industry.

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## Transcript

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