Opinion | Shane Ray Martin: Why I Believe PeaceTech Is a $100B Opportunity

Since 1800, 37M died in wars. Today, 468M kids are in conflict zones. In 2023, conflicts cost $17.5T. Reading this is tough, living it is tougher.

Humanity is in crisis, but there's hope.

PeaceTech uses emerging technology to improve the potential of peace. It extends life, reduces conflict, and promotes prosperity.

I believe it could be a $100B industry in the next 10 years because technology can do peacebuilding tasks humans could never do, making big, lasting impacts and potentially profits.

For example, AI can predict how societies will react to negotiations before they happen. AI is like a peacemaking prediction machine. With big data, machine learning, and blockchain, PeaceTech can prevent conflicts, reduce violence, and promote reconciliation.

For-profit companies can benefit from this, too.

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Testing the Idea

Six months ago, two colleagues and I launched a project at American University - Kogod School of Business . A mock PeaceTech investment fund. We developed a landing page, interviewed 20 founders, and ran Google ads. Within 48 hours, we had over 7,000 impressions.

Startup founders and investors see the potential.

There are companies leading the way:

• Néo-Justice : Streamlines legal processes with AI.
• Didi.ai : Optimizes negotiation tactics with AI.
• Sparkable : Shares and promotes creative solutions.
• Remesh: Enhances understanding of your audience.
• CulturePulse : Digital twins anticipate social trends.
• Objectively : Facilitates balanced political discussions.
• PeaceRise : Connects and supports PeaceTech innovators.
• Smartsettle Resolutions Inc.: Achieves fair, quick agreements.

The potential for more is enormous.

AI is expected to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, and nine out of ten companies today use AI for a competitive edge.?But PeaceTech founders need capital, community, and customers to grow. Otherwise, they will fail.

My Proposal

Building a PeaceTech Ecosystem: Three Key Parts

1. Venture Capital for PeaceTech
2. Scaling PeaceTech Startups with Incubators
3. Attracting Top Talent to Propel PeaceTech Forward

1. Venture Capital for PeaceTech

Venture capitalists often seek 10X+ returns. Right now, 99% don’t see PeaceTech as a viable business. But Denver-based VC Brian Abrams is different. He’s the Founder and Managing Director at B Ventures and calls PeaceTech a "moonshot for humanity." I couldn’t agree more. Thanks to Brian and his growing team, millions in venture capital will support PeaceTech founders with the goal of making profitable returns and a positive peace impact.?

To succeed, more venture capitalists must join the cause. We also need ethical business models, fresh perspectives, and a community believing profit and peace can coexist. I believe they can!

2. Scaling PeaceTech Startups with Business Incubators

PeaceTech founders need help with marketing, sales, and operations. People with business expertise and a heart for peace can guide them to IPOs and acquisitions. All founders need help—everyone, for that matter, does. I know I do! I’ve hired a business or sales coach for most of my career. It’s paid off hugely. The excellent news is PeaceTech founders are extremely capable and adaptable, but they need business support to help them succeed long-term.

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3. Attracting Top Talent to Propel PeaceTech Forward

For PeaceTech to grow into a $100B market, there must be top talent. We need a solid community for founders and investors to come together and recruit mission-driven, world-class engineers, salespeople, and product experts. Maybe a conference? Maybe a weekly Zoom gathering? Anything will work to get started. More PeaceTech competitions, incubators, and conferences like PeaceRise can spark new ideas and attract top performers to the space.?

Success and Impact

Most importantly, we need successful PeaceTech companies—multiple billion-dollar unicorns. Momentum will compound when we show the world companies can be profitable, sustainable, and peace-driven.

As the market sees PeaceTech companies succeed, more financial support, talent, and resources will pour in.

Solving conflict is hard, and it will take work to remain focused on peace and not become obsessed with profit. PeaceTech won't likely solve all our problems. But with new technology, the right people, and human intuition working together, we can do this. $100B market might be too conservative.?

I don’t usually tag friends in posts, but I feel too passionate about this not to share! Below are the names of some of the greatest humans who are actively contributing to peace and PeaceTech. Connect with them if you'd like!

Brian Abrams , Jeremy Fritzhand , Justin E. Lane , F. LeRon Shults , Lisa Schirch , Lena Slachmuijlder , William Ury , Paul Heidebrecht , Julia Kamin , LX Cast , Antonella Guidoccio , Ravi Iyer , Shawn Guttman , Lonny Schwartz , Jeremy Fritzhand , Vardon Hamdiu , Artur Kluz , Alexandra Toma , Chip Hauss , Nick Zuroski , Ernest Thiessen , Dan Coffing

Please tag others in the comments who I missed!

If you're passionate about growing PeaceTech, send me a message on LinkedIn or via email at [email protected]. You can check out the entire podcast episode here for a deeper dive into this. ??