Hey everyone, Nuked here! Today, let’s talk about an exciting new venture in the world of electric vehicles.

Slate Auto, a company that emerged from stealth mode earlier this year, is making waves with its surprisingly affordable and customizable electric pickup truck. To date, it has raised a total of $700 million, with a significant part coming from early investors like Jeff Bezos.

Before going public, Slate Auto had quietly secured over $100 million in a Series A round back in 2023. Interestingly, as per a filing with the SEC, up to 16 investors were involved, including Bezos. The company boasts a team with decades of experience in the automotive industry, including executives from Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, and Rivian.

As soon as I heard about Slate’s mission to make affordable, reliable, and domestically manufactured vehicles, I was intrigued. Even though it’s a bit outside typical investment themes, the team’s vision resonated. The founders, who are friends from South Central LA, aim to bridge innovation and community.

Although the truck won’t be available until late 2026, it has already garnered over 100,000 refundable reservations in just two weeks—a strong sign of market interest. Major backers like Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter, and General Catalyst have helped fill Slate’s coffers, and they’re already working on a Series C funding round.

The leadership’s decision to back Slate was influenced by Jeff Wilkie from Amazon’s consumer division, who introduced the Slauson & Co. partners to the project in 2023. Despite being outside their usual focus, the firm saw potential in Slate’s mission to deliver affordable vehicles for everyone.

With a seasoned team, high-profile investors, and a clear market gap, Slauson & Co. believes this venture could yield substantial returns—even in the notoriously tight-margin auto industry. This is truly a story of innovation, community, and big dreams coming true.