The Two Matts Saul Klein: Britain can succeed - but a lot must change
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Jan 15, 2026 Saul Klein, a leading venture capitalist and co-founder of Phoenix Court, shares his insights on Britain's economic potential and the tech landscape. He discusses the negative impact of Silicon Valley's dominance on global innovation and critiques a solipsistic mindset. Saul emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder optimism and how grassroots initiatives can drive change. He highlights Britain's unique strengths and the need for innovative growth to fund public services, contrasting it with the pessimism surrounding the nation's future.
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Practical Science Fiction Investing
- Venture capital funds invest in "practical science fiction" by backing ideas that seem implausible today but could be practical decades hence.
- Saul Klein frames optimism as betting on long-term transformative possibilities rather than short-term certainty.
Limits Of The Silicon Valley Mindset
- The Silicon Valley mindset now shapes global innovation culture but also created crises like disinformation and mental-health problems.
- Klein argues we over-relied on that model and need alternative multi-stakeholder approaches.
The Microsoft 'Buy.id' Story
- Klein recounts working at Microsoft and proposing constructive global cooperation on internet infrastructure at ICANN.
- The CEO's reaction, wanting to 'buy.id', illustrates Silicon Valley solipsism and asset-first thinking.
