From Disinformation to Moonshots: Why Bold Investments are Needed More Than Ever

“If Western democracy fails, your investment portfolio companies fail.”

These words reverberated throughout Day One of our inaugural SoCal Deep Tech Week during “The State of the Aerospace & Defense Complex,” highlighting the many technology races already unfolding—be it the “Chip War,” the “New Space Race,” or the highly publicized “AI Race.”

How Did We Get Here?

While I don’t claim to be an expert on the many issues shaping today’s world, I believe the following captures the broader picture of our current reality.

In recent years, a series of geopolitical events have intensified tensions among global leaders and their nations, marked by the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea (which escalated significantly in February 2022), the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the recent October 7th Hamas attacks, rising concerns over Taiwan, and the persistent conflict over “disinformation” since the 2020 U.S. presidential election, culminating in the January 6th Capitol insurrection. This is far from an exhaustive list, but it paints a clear picture of the pressures facing modern societies.

These historic moments underscore one glaring fact: the world we live in—its governments, systems, and infrastructure—is fragile.

A Series of Shocks

We were simply not equipped to address these challenges because they are inherently unpredictable. Even the best experts and institutions failed to foresee the full impact:

? COVID-19 exposed the vulnerabilities in our global supply chains, halting economic activity and revealing weaknesses in production, distribution, and consumer habits. The global lockdown highlighted the lack of resilience in our economic systems, bringing entire industries to a standstill.

? The 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea and its 2022 escalation, along with the recent Hamas attacks on October 7th, showed that global military powers like the U.S. and its allies are unprepared for direct military engagement against near-peer adversaries. From advancements in hypersonic and precision-guided munitions to the proliferation of drone warfare and the strategic importance of semiconductor manufacturing, modern conflict is evolving at a pace that outstrips traditional defense strategies.

? The spread of disinformation, both from foreign governments and internal actors, has reshaped political outcomes and sowed distrust. For example, the U.S. recently seized over 30 websites allegedly used in a Russian disinformation campaign targeting the U.S. election. Meanwhile, right-wing influencers were reportedly paid by Russian state media to spread narratives undermining trust in the electoral system. Claims like the 2020 election being “stolen” are still circulating, despite Trump’s own campaign experts confirming the results as legitimate.

Conversations and Collaboration

During SoCal Deep Tech Week, experts from organizations such as the U.S. Space Force, the Defense Innovation Unit, major venture funds (including MaC Ventures, Lux Capital, and Type One Ventures), and pioneering founders all emphasized the same key point: collaboration, clarity, and a shared understanding are essential to addressing these challenges. Whether tackling national security concerns or investing in breakthrough technologies, these stakeholders underscored the need for united, strategic action.

This article isn’t intended to spread fear or push a specific political agenda. Rather, it’s a call to recognize the challenges we face today and to refocus our efforts on addressing them.

A Path Forward

Yet, there is hope. One attendee shared that while fear, scarcity, and concern can mobilize people, so too can innovation, inspiration, and a deep commitment to solving the problem—recalling the spirit of the JFK–MLK era, which saw the end of segregation and the U.S. reaching the Moon.

The challenges we face are daunting and monumental. But while our systems may be fragile, we as human beings are resilient, inventive, and remarkably resourceful. If we approach these issues with clear thinking and a commitment to truth, there’s little we cannot achieve.

Throughout the week, we met people across sectors such as Aerospace & Defense, Clean Energy, and Applied AI & Robotics—individuals who are passionate about solving complex problems, ready to dig in and fight, and dedicated to building a better world today for tomorrow.

Why SoCal Deep Tech Week?

We didn’t create SoCal Deep Tech Week just to have another “tech week,” reunite with old friends, or showcase our ability to organize events.

We built it to foster serious, impactful conversations, celebrate those who dare to tackle the toughest problems, and champion investment in Deep Tech. Southern California is the birthplace of aerospace, defense, and countless technological innovations. Many founders, investors, and supporters in this ecosystem are focused on solving mission-critical problems and pioneering new technologies.

We are here to support them as much as we can and will always remain in service to this cause.