Crusoe’s Big Bet on AI Infrastructure and Energy

Cully Cavness is the co-founder, president, and COO of Crusoe, an energy-first AI infrastructure company. 

In this live episode recorded in Austin, Texas, Cully shares how Crusoe evolved from capturing flared gas for Bitcoin mining to becoming a leading developer of hyperscale data centers. He discusses the company’s pivotal role in Project Stargate—a $500B AI infrastructure effort led by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle—and how Crusoe is building a 1.2 gigawatt data center campus in Abilene, Texas. Cully reflects on the decision to divest its original Bitcoin business, the company’s vertical integration strategy, and how energy abundance will shape the future of AI. 

Thanks to our sponsors for this event: Gunderson Dettmer, and J.P. Morgan.

In this episode, we cover: 

• ⁠[00:24]⁠ An overview of Crusoe
• ⁠[01:08]⁠ Its role in Project Stargate and Abilene data center
• ⁠[03:41]⁠ Shift from outbound to inbound interest
• ⁠[06:17]⁠ Company pivots and existential startup bets
• [09:09]⁠ Sale of Bitcoin mining business to NYDIG
• [11:40]⁠ Flared gas capture and climate impact overview
• ⁠[14:57]⁠ From digital flare mitigation to stranded wind use
• ⁠[17:27]⁠ Cully’s personal energy background and worldview
• ⁠[22:14]⁠ Why AI could drive climate and fusion breakthroughs
• ⁠[25:47]⁠ Details of the 1.2 GW Abilene campus for Oracle
• ⁠[36:42]⁠ 3,500 skilled trades supporting data center build
• ⁠[44:42]⁠ Natural gas as a bridge fuel + CCS investments

Episode recorded on June 10, 2025 (Published on June 17, 2025)

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant