Tactical Notes: The Weight of Capital Alone is not Proof of Superior Judgement

research lab for defense, security, resilience

[This is one of the first 'Tactical Notes' - short-format observations that I jotted down some time ago, where I feel that this snippet is enough and no long format essay is necessary] The presence of capital events (funding rounds, M&A, fund strategy) can sometimes be over-ascribed to individual influence unless the narrative shows how … Continue reading Tactical Notes: The Weight of Capital Alone is not Proof of Superior Judgement →

What if Capacity Building Starts in the Middle? Lessons from Nations with Industrial Memory

machinist gauge and lever system

The content discusses how Japan, India, and Israel successfully implemented industrial policies through state-led strategies, fostering economic resilience and innovation. It contrasts their approaches with the U.S.'s market-dependent model, suggesting that the U.S. could benefit from a more integrated and strategic industrial policy to enhance resilience and promote long-term growth.

On the Workbench: Portal Space

AP Lockheed breaks from 1938

The content discusses the evaluation of Portal Space, a startup developing maneuverable spacecraft, following their $17.5 million fundraising. The author outlines a five-step analysis framework focusing on competitors, company challenges, investor perspectives, and potential secret weapons. Portal Space aims to revolutionize orbital agility but faces significant strategic vulnerabilities and must succeed in market education to secure investor confidence.

Tactical Notes: Access is Earned, Not Expected

research lab for defense, security, resilience

[This is one of the first 'Tactical Notes' - short-format observations that I jotted down some time ago, where I feel that this snippet is enough and no long format essay is necessary] We are not entitled to capital. Or conviction. LPs operate under uncertainty just as we do. In a world of competitive convergence, … Continue reading Tactical Notes: Access is Earned, Not Expected →

Recycling — A Systemic Narrative Failure

a plastic bin with shredded aluminum waste

Recycling innovation — especially in the mining sector and rare earth elements (REEs) — is held back by a deeply entangled web of technological inertia, misaligned economic incentives, and systemic narrative failures. Not by a lack of venture capital interest per se. The prevailing narrative has long equated recycling with waste management, not strategic resource … Continue reading Recycling — A Systemic Narrative Failure →

Communication, Easy as PIE: Problem, Impact, Exposure

historic red alfa romeo race car crossing the finish line at Sears Point Raceway

I just recently heard the interview with Meghan Reynolds, Partner and Head of Capital Formation & Talent at Altimeter Capital. Meghan acknowledges that venture capital is hard, driven by outliers, and rarely do we have a home run, but often many failures (large and small). She has a pretty simple and brilliant framework for communicating … Continue reading Communication, Easy as PIE: Problem, Impact, Exposure →

Fund Managers: Your Fund Slide Sucks, Too

domed pistons, 1962 Jaguar

Concept: If your deck can’t clarify conviction, cadence, and character in one slide, don’t raise yet. Startups founders aren't the only ones with bad pitch slides. Over the years, I’ve written about how a cluttered team slide in a founder deck often betrays deeper issues—misaligned roles, unclear value, or a résumé-driven identity crisis. But fund … Continue reading Fund Managers: Your Fund Slide Sucks, Too →

Tactical Notes: When Teams Fail.

research lab for defense, security, resilience

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/brilliantpeoplepodcast/episodes/Erik-Anderson-Founder--CEO-of-WestRiver-Group-and-Vice-Chair-of-Topgolf-Callaway-Brands-on-Leading-in-an-Exponential-World-e32t7u1/a-abuoet6 The cornerstone of high performing teams is safety: Safety to fail, safety to doubt, safety to speak your mind, safety to disagree, safety to make mistakes, safety to not have certainty. That doesn't mean you're not accountable -- you still have to own your mistakes. But safety is at the core, especially under radical … Continue reading Tactical Notes: When Teams Fail. →