Deep Tech Briefing #45: 🚀$500B Trump 'Stargate'; 📈 Mistral AI IPO plans; 🛰️ Advances in on-orbit servicing; 🌋 Geothermal energy at scale;⚡Micro-reactors for AI data centers and more...

Your weekly Briefing on Deep Tech Startups and Venture Capital—designed to inspire action and insight.

Jan 26, 2025

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Welcome to #45 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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Dear Friends,

This week’s developments in deep tech are a masterclass in contrast—where ambition meets complexity, and opportunity demands foresight. It’s impossible to look at the stories without feeling both inspired and unsettled. We’re on the edge of breakthroughs, but what do they mean for the bigger picture?

Consider the race for AI dominance: a $500 billion bet on the U.S. securing its leadership position through the 'Stargate' initiative, while Google doubles down with another $1 billion investment in Anthropic. These aren’t just financial moves—they’re strategic wagers on the future of intelligence itself. How do you navigate a landscape where algorithmsare as influential as economies?

On the ground—and even beneath it—the energy narrative is evolving in parallel. From Bedrock Energy’s ambitions to reshape geothermal energy to Orano’s uranium pact with Mongolia, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a global necessity. The question is, how quickly can these technologies scale, and who will bear the costs of their integration?

Meanwhile, the frontier of space continues to beckon. Funding for reusable rockets, on-orbit satellite servicing, and advanced propulsion systems signals a clear message: space is no longer just a domain for exploration—it’s a cornerstone of commerce and defense. How should operators and investors balance the allure of space's limitless potential with the tangible risks it entails?

Healthcare is also undergoing a profound transformation. Neko Health’s $260 million raise for preventative diagnostics is a clarion call for a future where health isn’t about reacting to disease but preempting it entirely. As this vision scales, how do we ensure these advancements remain accessible to all and not just a privileged few?

Finally, this week offers a reminder of the importance of industrial resilience and adaptability. Innovations in robotics, solid-state transformers, and clean ammonia production underscore the urgency of fortifying supply chains and infrastructure against the shocks of tomorrow.

These stories are more than data points—they are guideposts for a world in flux. They challenge us to think critically about what’s next, not just for technology but for humanity itself.

Let's dive in :)

📚 Table of Contents

Deep Tech Week in 10 Data Points
Weekly Highlights
What else is brewing
Deep Tech Capital Movements
Influential Voices
Headlines That Get You Thinking

Deep Tech Week in 10 Data Points

$500B – Trump launches the 'Stargate' AI Project.
Why it matters: An ambitious bid to establish U.S. dominance in AI by leveraging partnerships with OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank.
$260M – Daniel Ek’s Neko Health funding.
Why it matters: Backs U.S. expansion of advanced health diagnostics technology, signaling growing demand for tech-driven healthcare.
$100M – Air Force backs 3D-printed UAS startup.
Why it matters: Highlights military interest in leveraging 3D printing for rapid deployment of unmanned aerial systems.
$1.6B – Orano’s uranium deal with Mongolia.
Why it matters: Enables Orano to mine one of the world’s largest uranium reserves, highlighting Mongolia's strategic importance in the global energy transition.
$260M – Stoke Space raises Series C funding.
Why it matters: Funds development of the Nova reusable rocket, aiming to transform space access through sustainability and cost reduction.
$5B – Shield AI valuation milestone.
Why it matters: Demonstrates a pivotal shift in military technology, emphasizing autonomous systems' growing influence.
$55M – JLR’s InMotion invests in Cyclic Materials.
Why it matters: Reflects the increasing significance of recycling rare earth materials for the electric vehicle revolution.
$1.2M – Cancrie seed funding round.
Why it matters: This emerging player secures early-stage funding, spotlighting innovation in its field.
$170M – Loft Orbital secures growth capital.
Why it matters: Propels satellite technology innovation, allowing customers to integrate sensors and telescopes with ease.
$100M – Harbinger advances electric commercial trucks.
Why it matters: Boosts development of electric solutions in heavy-duty transportation, reducing the carbon footprint of logistics.

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Weekly Highlights

🔸 OpenAI plans to hold onto Operator data for up to 90 days

OpenAI is giving itself up to 90 days to keep deleted data from Operator, its new AI agent tool. That’s three times longer than the 30-day retention window for ChatGPT, raising eyebrows about why the company needs so much extra time.