Deep Tech Briefing #44: 🚀Reusable rockets; 💊 Eli Lilly & A16Z's health tech fund; 🔋 Low-cost lithium production; 🤖 AI Hardware startup Goes Public and more...
An insider’s update on Deep Tech Ventures: Your dose of tech innovations, startups, exponential industries, policies, and market moves to stay ahead and capitalize on it.
Welcome to #44 Deep Tech Briefing! Each week, we cut through the noise to highlight the forces shaping deep tech’s most important moves. This isn’t just about big numbers and shiny breakthroughs—it’s about understanding the trends, strategies, and opportunities behind the headlines. Think of it as your weekly map to where deep tech ventures is heading—and why it matters now.
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This week, over $1 billion was poured into deep tech startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Stoke Space’s $260M raise is accelerating reusable rockets, while Truveta’s $320M genomic project signals AI’s growing role in transforming medicine. At the same time, Moment Energy is giving EV batteries a second life with a $15M investment, showing how sustainability and innovation are becoming inseparable.
On the geopolitical front, moves to secure supply chains are intensifying. Electralith’s $17M push for domestic lithium production is reshaping critical materials markets, while Vertical Compute’s €20M AI chip funding reflects Europe’s ambitions to reduce reliance on global bottlenecks.
Governments aren’t sitting on the sidelines. From the UK greenlighting launches in the Shetland Islands to New York accelerating nuclear energy, public-private partnerships are breaking down barriers to progress and creating fertile ground for innovation to scale.
So, let’s dive into the details and unpack what’s next.
Deep Tech Week in 10 Data
$260M – Stoke Space’s reusable rockets:
Space just got a little closer. Stoke Space’s $260 million round aims to cut costs with reusable rockets, accelerating competition in the private space sector.
Why it matters: Lower costs mean more frequent launches, unlocking new frontiers for exploration and innovation.€20M – Vertical Compute's AI chip memory fix:
AI's bottleneck might be solved. Vertical Compute secured €20 million to tackle memory constraints in AI chips, paving the way for faster, smarter systems.
Why it matters: Hardware limitations have held AI back—this could unlock its true potential.$144M – Inari's agricultural gene-editing tech:
Feeding the future. Inari raised $144 million to create resilient, high-yield seeds, addressing food security challenges head-on.
Why it matters: With climate change pressuring agriculture, biotech like this could be a game-changer.$32M – Overland AI’s off-road autonomy:
Taking AI where the roads end. Overland AI raised $32 million to build autonomous vehicles for extreme environments, starting with defense.
Why it matters: Off-road autonomy opens new possibilities for military, rescue, and exploration missions.$30M – SEEQC's quantum computing chips:
Quantum made practical. SEEQC secured $30 million to develop chips that solve real-world problems with quantum computing.
Why it matters: Bridging the gap between theory and application could change everything, from logistics to cryptography.$15M – Moment Energy’s EV battery recycling:
Batteries get a second life. Amazon and others invested $15 million in Moment Energy to recycle EV batteries for sustainability.
Why it matters: Second-life batteries reduce waste and make EVs even greener.$500M – Eli Lilly & Andreessen Horowitz's health tech fund:
The future of healthcare. With $500 million on the table, this partnership is betting big on life sciences and health tech innovation.
Why it matters: Advanced healthcare solutions are critical as the global population grows older and sicker.$320M – Truveta’s genomic data project:
AI meets biotech. Truveta’s $320 million raise will fuel a massive genome project, transforming personalized medicine.
Why it matters: Genomic data could unlock breakthroughs in how we prevent and treat diseases.$120M – Neura Robotics’ humanoid tech:
The robots are here. Neura Robotics landed $120 million to develop humanoids and collaborative robots (cobots) for the workplace.
Why it matters: As labor shortages persist, these robots could fill critical gaps in manufacturing and logistics.$17M – Electralith's low-cost lithium production:
Breaking free from China. Electralith’s $17 million raise aims to create a lithium supply chain outside of China, cutting costs and boosting independence.
Why it matters: Lithium is the backbone of EVs and energy storage—control over its supply changes the game.
Chart of the week
Industrial Robots Are Scaling—Where Does It Go From Here?
Industrial robots saw unprecedented adoption by 2022, with over 500,000 annual installations and 3 million active units worldwide. This momentum highlights a turning point: automation isn’t just about cost reduction—it’s about unlocking new capabilities across industries.
However, the 2025 outlook could depend on critical factors. If robotics becomes more tightly integrated with generative AI and IoT, we could see exponential adoption, particularly in logistics and healthcare. But rising protectionism and component shortages could stall this growth, leaving the market fragmented.
Startups in edge computing, robotics-as-a-service (RaaS), and supply chain optimization could thrive in this climate. How do investors position for a world where every industry has to grapple with “robot-first” strategies?
Week Macro Trend
This week, the deep tech landscape continued to evolve under several converging trends that reveal a broader narrative of technological maturation and strategic capital reallocation. Notably, diversity and inclusivity in emerging technologies were front and center. At the World Future Energy Summit, a host of tech startups took decisive steps toward gender inclusion, spotlighting a trend where social equity is increasingly woven into innovative ecosystems. This move reflects a growing acknowledgment among investors and founders that diversity can drive better decision-making and more resilient growth trajectories.
Meanwhile, the intersection of artificial intelligence and traditional sectors is drawing significant investor attention. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, venture capitalists are looking favorably at AI’s potential to revamp even traditional industries like accounting, signaling a broader, cross-industry transformation. This acceleration is being complemented by massive infrastructure investments. Anduril’s announcement of a 5 million square foot drone factory in Ohio underscores the scale at which military tech and autonomous systems are expanding.
On the clean energy front, China has shifted its focus to hydrogen – a pivot that could redefine energy markets and bolster global efforts to decarbonize. However, this narrative is not without friction. The defense vertical is experiencing growing pains as corporate venture capital groups, particularly those linked to defense, wrestle with supply chain challenges that put additional pressure on already complex investment frameworks.
The geopolitical milieu remains a potent force shaping tech investments. A recent Bloomberg feature highlighted how the combined influence of figures like Elon Musk and Trump is propelling Starlink’s ambitious global outreach, an effort indicative of the role of political capital in tech strategy.
Elsewhere, European funding trends remain a mixed bag; while startup funding in 2024 has stabilized, the region still lags behind previous peaks, suggesting a cautious investor sentiment. Additionally, active investors led by powerhouse A16Z have upped their investments to keep pace with the fast-evolving market, driving strategic bets that may set the tone for 2025.
Across the globe, new investment initiatives continue to rise. Newlab’s decision to launch a hub in Saudi Arabia with a focus on mining startups further accentuates the broadening geographic scope of venture capital in deep tech. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is emerging as a fertile ground for startups in AI and IoT, aligning with Vision 2030 ambitions. Finally, the tech defense sector is drawing fresh investor attention, prompting a wave of innovation and competition in an arena that is expected to have long-term strategic implications.
Behind the Breakthrough
AI Hardware Milestone: Blaize Goes Public - TechCrunch
Overview: Blaize has made history as the first AI chip startup to go public in 2025. This landmark event marks the beginning of a new chapter in semiconductor innovation, as the company leverages its groundbreaking AI-optimized hardware to challenge established industry titans.
Key Takeaway: With its IPO, Blaize is not just accessing public capital—it’s setting the stage for a new era of specialized chip development that may redefine processing capabilities for AI applications. The move signals a growing recognition that bespoke hardware is essential to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence, encouraging more startups to push the boundaries in this space.
Digital Twins Redefined: MetAI’s Innovative Leap - Forbes
Overview: In a significant boost to digital simulation, Nvidia’s strategic backing of MetAI underscores a revolution in the creation of AI-powered digital twins. This approach involves developing highly accurate virtual replicas of real-world assets, enabling businesses to simulate and optimize complex operations with unprecedented precision.
Key Takeaway: MetAI’s technology is poised to transform how industries plan, monitor, and manage their operations. By offering real-time, data-driven insights through digital twins, companies can make informed decisions that enhance efficiency and reduce operational risks. This leap forward in simulation technology has the potential to redefine best practices across sectors ranging from manufacturing to urban planning.
Eco-Innovation in Energy Storage: Moment Energy’s Second-Life Batteries - Axios
Overview: Amazon’s recent investment in Moment Energy brings a fresh perspective to sustainable technology by focusing on second-life applications for used electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This innovative strategy repurposes batteries that have already served in EVs, transforming them into efficient energy storage solutions.
Key Takeaway: By extending the lifecycle of EV batteries, Moment Energy is addressing a critical environmental challenge—reducing waste while simultaneously promoting energy efficiency. This initiative reinforces the principles of the circular economy within the renewable energy sector, offering a practical model that could be scaled globally to support sustainable energy infrastructures.
Opinion from the Best
Jeff Bezos recently emphasized that the space industry is not a zero-sum game, asserting that there is ample room for multiple winners.
According to Bloomberg, Bezos envisions a diverse ecosystem where various companies can coexist and thrive, each bringing unique innovations to the table. This perspective challenges the traditional view that only a few dominant players can lead space exploration and technology development. By fostering a competitive environment, Bezos believes that innovation will accelerate, costs will decrease, and the overall advancement of space technology will benefit from the varied approaches and solutions proposed by different entities.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, experts involved in shaping the UK’s AI strategy have voiced the necessity of balancing rapid technological advancement with ethical considerations.
As outlined in Sifted Experts Are Saying, these thought leaders argue that without a robust framework to govern AI development, the UK risks falling behind in the global race while also potentially exacerbating societal inequalities. Their insights highlight the importance of integrating ethical guidelines and regulatory measures to ensure that AI innovations are both beneficial and responsible. This balanced approach is crucial for harnessing AI’s full potential while safeguarding public trust and societal values.
John Werner from Forbes points out that Anthropic’s recent deal is a clear indicator of how significant AI will become by 2025.
According to this piece this landmark investment not only underscores the growing confidence in AI technologies but also signals a shift in how capital is being allocated towards AI-driven solutions. Werner suggests that such substantial deals are paving the way for AI to become a foundational pillar across various industries, driving advancements that were previously thought unattainable. This trend indicates that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping economic and technological landscapes in the near future.
Anduril’ CEO has shed light on the strategic importance of collaborations between defence firms and political leaders.
According to Bloomberg, these alliances are crucial for driving technological advancements in national security. The CEO emphasized that establishing a massive Ohio plant and engaging with influential political figures are key strategies for overcoming regulatory and funding hurdles. This approach not only accelerates the development of cutting-edge defence technologies but also ensures that these innovations are effectively integrated into national security frameworks. Such strategic partnerships are essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the defence sector and addressing emerging security challenges with innovative solutions.
Turning to the energy sector, MIT Technology Review reports that new nuclear power technologies promise to revolutionize energy production.
As detailed in this piece these innovations aim to address the longstanding challenges associated with nuclear energy, such as safety concerns and high costs. The experts believe that next-generation nuclear technologies will offer cleaner, more efficient, and safer alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, thereby significantly contributing to global sustainability goals. This shift towards advanced nuclear solutions highlights the potential for nuclear energy to become a cornerstone of a sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.
Strategy, Policy, and Geopolitics
Deep tech has always promised radical change, but this week’s developments serve as a reminder that the real story isn’t just about breakthrough technologies—it’s about the synergy between public policy and global innovation. When governments shift their strategies, the ripples carry far beyond the boardrooms of tech companies, reaching the front lines of conflict, the heart of national energy grids, and even remote corners of space.
Consider how the NATO Innovation Fund—backed by 24 allies—has made a dozen direct equity investments, now actively deployed in Ukraine and on vessels of the UK Royal Navy. As reported in Global Venturing the presence of companies like Arx Robotics and Aquark Technologies on the battlefield or at sea signals that dual-use startups no longer exist in a conceptual vacuum. Instead, they’re shaping—and being shaped by—policy decisions that directly impact real-world geopolitics. This approach to integrating private-sector innovation with strategic military planning isn’t merely experimental; it’s actively redefining how alliances leverage technology in hostile or sensitive environments.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, New York State has partnered with Constellation to harness federal funds for a cutting-edge nuclear reactor at the Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center. In this piece we see how local government ambitions and national-level grants can jointly propel advanced energy solutions into reality. By blending public financing with private-sector capability, New York is driving employment opportunities, modernizing its electricity infrastructure, and, perhaps most critically, demonstrating that innovation in energy isn’t limited by older economic models. Instead, it can flourish when policymakers actively remove financial and regulatory barriers.
Policy breakthroughs in nuclear energy also resonate in Wyoming, where TerraPower—cofounded by Bill Gates—just received a state permit for its Natrium plant. According to TerraPower’ release the green light from Wyoming’s Industrial Siting Council is significant precisely because it lets TerraPower begin constructing non‑nuclear facilities in advance of a lengthy NRC review process. This is bold governance in action: a state-level decision accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear technology, effectively challenging the inertia that once stalled most reactor projects. The result is a blueprint for other regions aiming to jumpstart next-generation energy solutions.
In parallel, the UK is embracing a similarly forward-looking posture in the space sector. As highlighted in The Guardian, Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority has cleared Rocket Factory Augsburg for a vertical launch from the Shetland Islands. It’s a move that expands European launch capabilities well beyond established sites, signaling a deliberate push to foster indigenous space initiatives. By revising regulations and opening local territory to commercial spaceflight, the UK is establishing new gravitational centers for innovation—centers that directly challenge conventional assumptions about Europe’s dependence on foreign or state-run sites.
Moreover, the conversation around connectivity is taking center stage as global telecom giants and satellite operators navigate policy barriers. According to this Bloomberg piece, Elon Musk’s ties with former President Trump are influencing regulatory decisions in South Africa. By seeking to relax local black ownership requirements for Starlink’s operation, Musk underscores how global political connections can redraw telecom landscapes overnight. Meanwhile, this other Bloomberg piece spotlights ongoing high-level dialogues on Project Kuiper’s setbacks—a reminder that satellite broadband is becoming a field of competitive policy engineering, not just technological prowess
