Opening Bid Unfiltered The surprising sector shielded from government shutdowns
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Nov 10, 2025 Brooke Coburn, co-founder of Capitol Meridian Partners and former partner at Carlyle Group, dives into the world of national security investing. She reveals how defense contractors are practically immune to government shutdowns. Coburn also discusses the long-term trends in defense spending amidst shifting political dynamics, such as the Trump administration's focus on critical technologies like AI and hypersonics. Additionally, she emphasizes the role of ethics in autonomous systems on the battlefield and Capitol Meridian's mission-driven approach to investing.
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Specialist Focus Wins In National Security
- Capital Meridian focuses solely on national security investing from Washington and embraces a specialist approach.
- Brooke Coburn says the market has 400 procurement offices, so deep domain expertise matters for success.
Prioritize Companies Serving Essential Missions
- Don't assume civilian shutdowns halt defense work; prioritize companies tied to essential national security missions.
- Coburn notes DOD and intelligence functions continue during government shutdowns, so impact is minimal for those suppliers.
Invest For Multi-Year National Security Cycles
- Private equity must avoid betting on the political 'flavor of the day' and invest for multi-year cycles.
- Coburn stresses national security issues transcend administrations and require long-term thinking.