Deep Tech Briefing #46: Weekly Insights on Deep Tech Startups and Venture Capital.
⚡ Helion's Fusion Frontier; 🪐 AI-driven Mineral Exploration; 🚀 Hypersonic Weapons; 🛸 Fuel Stations of Space; 📉 Andreessen Horowitz Shutting Down Its London Office and More...
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Dear Friends,
From nuclear breakthroughs to alternative proteins and hypersonic defense, deep tech is weaving itself into every corner of our economy. In energy, we’re seeing robust interest in both traditional nuclear modernization (like Rolls-Royce’s £9B deal to support the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet) and novel approaches (like Hexana’s €25M for sodium fast reactors). In climate solutions, big corporations like Microsoft are doubling down on carbon offsetting with partnerships such as Chestnut Carbon’s reforestation deal.
Meanwhile, defense tech has exploded onto the scene, fueled by a wave of interest in AI-driven autonomy, hypersonic weapons, and advanced space capabilities. We’ve also witnessed a radical shift in venture capital geographies: Andreessen Horowitz closing its London office has spurred questions about the UK’s future as a tech hub, while new funds, such as Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC seeking $1B, demonstrate that large pools of U.S. capital are hungry for disruption.
And then there’s the AI puzzle: from Reid Hoffman’s $24.6M for an AI cancer-research startup to hedge funds reportedly pausing U.S. AI bets amid China’s discount models, investors remain bullish—but cautious.
The upshot? Across fusion, food tech, and frontier defense, deep tech investment continues to accelerate, fueled by a belief that the biggest returns will come from solving the hardest problems.
Let's dive in :)
In Today's Briefing
The Big Idea – Helion's Fusion Frontier
The Deep Dives – A deep look at AI-driven mineral exploration, reusable spaceplanes, AI-powered drug discovery, hypersonic weapons, asteroid mining, and next-gen military planning
Hidden Gems – Taking a closer look at emerging companies bringing groundbreaking innovations to deep tech as next-gen nuclear, modular satellites for remote regions, and AI-driven automation for small businesses.
Quick Hits – Brief but powerful updates on funding headlines, emerging pilots, and VC shake-ups
Scenarios and Implications – Evaluating potential game-changing outcomes from a16z’s London exit, Microsoft’s carbon bet, Rolls-Royce’s nuclear deal, hedge funds pulling back on U.S. AI, and Shield AI’s $5B valuation.
Interesting Reading – A curated selection of must-read pieces for forward-thinking minds.
This Week on The Scenarionist – DeepSeek's impact on deep tech evaluation, In-Space Manufacturing, deep tech policy shifts, and more...
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