# Rivian: RJ Scaringe

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-09-12
- Length: 1h 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe

## Summary

RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, explains how he launched an electric vehicle company in 2009 with no capital, relying on family funds and an MIT PhD to build credibility. After pivoting from a fuel-efficient sports car to electric trucks and SUVs, he navigated years of stealth mode, secured investment from Amazon and Saudi investors, and bought a former Mitsubishi plant in Illinois to manufacture the R1T and R1S. Scaringe details the massive challenges of scaling production, managing a complex supply chain during the semiconductor shortage, and competing with Tesla while maintaining a brand focused on adventure and performance.

## Chapters

- [0:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=57) Introduction: RJ Scaringe and Rivian's Mission
- [5:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=341) Early Life, Education, and the First Company
- [29:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=1777) Pivoting to Electric Trucks and Stealth Mode
- [37:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=2270) Raising Capital and Buying the Illinois Plant
- [54:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=3267) Debuting at LA Auto Show and Amazon Partnership
- [1:00:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=3623) Supply Chain Challenges and Production Ramp-Up
- [1:06:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe#t=4014) Competition with Tesla and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Rivian (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Amazon (company)
- R1T (product)
- R1S (product)
- MIT (other)
- Hyundai (company)
- Avera (product)
- Mainstream Motors (company)
- Mitsubishi (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature: Dina DiCenso of RIND](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-06-06-founder-feature-dina-dicenso-of-rind) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Against All Odds: Overcoming Huge Setbacks to Sell 5 Million Worldwide](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-05-15-against-all-odds-overcoming-huge-setbacks-to-sell-5-million-worldwide) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [Driving Towards Sustainability with Electric RVs: Insights from Ben Parker, Co-Founder at Lightship](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-03-14-driving-towards-sustainability-with-electric-rvs-insights-from-ben-parker-co-fou) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [275: Building a Brand New Manufacturing Company in the US with Andrew Johnson, Co-Founder of HeavyTech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-17-275-building-a-brand-new-manufacturing-company-in-the-us-with-andrew-johnson-co) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [A First-Generation Product Master Class with Milo Werner, Recorded LIVE at "Build Better 2022" (hosted by Instrumental Inc.)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-05-a-first-generation-product-master-class-with-milo-werner-recorded-live-at-build) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-12-rivian-rj-scaringe. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.