
Why OpenAI Should Be Scared of Open Source
Tarun Chitra is the founder of Gauntlet and managing partner at Robot Ventures, which just led Nous Research's $90 million round. He joins Tommy on The Delphi Podcast to explain why he backed Nous and Hermes Agent after months of diligence on OpenRouter data and GitHub forks. Tarun traces how crypto's first run at AI went wrong, from GPU networks to token-launched agents, and why the crypto people who dropped the token have done well. He breaks down why OpenClaw is the worst developer experience he's used, why Hermes is closer to Ubuntu than to Android, and how robotics makers built on Hermes without Nous knowing. The conversation closes on his market structure thesis: AI inference looks like crypto, OpenRouter looks like a DEX, some providers game cache pricing, and the money will flow to the harnesses on top and the inference providers underneath. Hermes, in his words, is like investing in Phantom or FOMO. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 06:34 Robot Leads Nous's $90M Round 09:37 Crypto AI Was Meme Coins With More Steps 14:40 Why Nous Stood Out Early 28:14 Hermes vs OpenClaw 35:39 The End of AI Lock-In 46:33 The Ubuntu of AI 56:17 Microsoft and Nvidia Join the Round 59:42 OpenRouter Is a DEX for AI 1:07:02 All the Money Goes to the Top 💡 Want to stay updated with the latest in crypto & AI? Hit subscribe and the notification bell! 🔔 🧠 Follow the Alpha Tommy: https://x.com/Shaughnessy119 Tarun: https://x.com/tarunchitra 🔗 Connect with Delphi 🌐 Portal: https://delphidigital.io/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/delphi_digital 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/delphi-digital 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/62PR1RigLG2YN5Pelq6UY9?si=18ac7ccf36ab4753 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-delphi-podcast/id1438148082 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Yy99ZlQIX9-PdG_xHj43Q 🔥WATCH: $100M+ Crypto Investor: How to Prepare for Next Bull Market: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQQErgSvjnc&list=PLNBYLyvyGrM8 The Worst Is Behind Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJX1U6EeIM4 Disclaimer The Delphi Podcast is produced by DELPHI MEDIA, LLC. This content is solely for educational and informational purposes and is not, and should not be construed as, legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Delphi Media is not a financial, tax, or legal advisor. You are expressly advised to consult with a professional advisor before making any investment decisions. Also, the views expressed by Podcast are solely those of hosts and guests do not necessarily reflect those of Delphi Media. Delphi Media is a member of the DELPHI DIGITAL family, a group of distinct companies sharing the same brand and vision. Delphi Ventures operates as an independent venture capital firm that seeks to invest in world-changing founders.













