The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20VC: Anduril Co-Founder on How a Trump Administration Changes the Defence Industry | What Happens Between China vs Taiwan, Israel vs Palestine, Russia vs Ukraine | How Software Changes War & Why TikTok Should Be Banned with Matt Grimm

Nov 11, 2024

Matt Grimm, Co-founder and COO of Anduril Industries, discusses how a potential Trump administration may reshape U.S. foreign policy concerning conflicts like China/Taiwan and Russia/Ukraine. He considers the future of warfare, highlighting the role of AI and robotics in military evolution. The conversation covers the implications for the defense industry with rising funding, examining whether it's facing a bubble. Grimm also reflects on the need for innovative procurement practices and the importance of effective technology in modern combat.

01:23:27

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Matt Grimm

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Quick takeaways

The U.S. must focus on reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains to ensure national security and military readiness amid rising tensions.

The transformation of defense technology through software and AI is pivotal, enhancing operational effectiveness by integrating various data sources for real-time insights.

Political leadership changes impact procurement practices more than overall industry trajectory, highlighting the need for innovation and modernization in defense funding strategies.

Deep dives

China as the Greatest Threat

China is viewed as the primary adversary due to its ongoing human rights violations, particularly regarding the Uyghur population, and its restrictive policies on free speech and political assembly. The mindset of the Chinese Communist Party stands in stark contrast to Western values regarding human rights, making China a significant concern for global stability. The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing China's ambition in empire-building and its efforts to exert control over critical industries. This concern extends to China's potential military ambitions, particularly in relation to Taiwan, and its influence over global supply chains, particularly for rare earth materials.

No Alpha in Consensus

00:34

Invest in Local Capacity to Protect Taxpayer Interests

00:45

Intro

4min

Navigating Geopolitical Tensions and Defense Innovation

10min

War, Business, and Defense Innovation

16min

Exploring the Defense Market Dynamics

16min

Navigating the Complexities of Defense Investments

16min

The Future of Warfare: Robotics, Drones, and Production Challenges

4min

Evil Adversaries: Iran vs. China

4min

Jokes, Boundaries, and Society

4min

The Impact of Childhood on Happiness

5min

10.

Reflections on Ambition and the Power of Learning

4min

Matt Grimm is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Anduril Industries, an American defense technology company that specializes in advanced autonomous systems. To date, Anduril has raised over $3.7BN with the latest round pricing the company at a whopping $14BN. Before Anduril, Matt was a Principal at Mithril Capital Management alongside Peter Thiel. Before Mithril, Matt was an early hire at Palantir, where he was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure U.S. forces had the best technology for the mission.

In Today’s Episode with Matt Grimm We Discuss:

1. China/Taiwan, Ukraine/Russia & Israel/Gaza:

How will a Trump administration change US foreign policy and approach to conflict?
Will China invade Taiwan? What does Matt expect to see happen there?
Will Trump put an end to the war in Ukraine? What will be the outcome?
Is Israel wrong to defend itself in the way it has? How will the situation in Gaza be resolved?

2. The Future of War:

What will war look like in the future?
How is software and autonomy changing the world of war?
Why does the incentive structure of governments buying military equipment need to change around the world?
Will we see a world of robodogs fighting on battlefields? What does weaponry of the future look like?

3. Are We In a Defence Bubble:

With the massive increase in funding to defence companies, does Matt think we are in a defence bubble?
What does Matt believe all investors should know about the defence industry before they make investments in the space?
What should defence founders at the early stage know about building a defence company at scale? What changes?
Who will be the buyer for the many defence companies that have raised early rounds of funding and go out of business?

4. Matt Grimm: AMA:

Does money make you happy?
What is the biggest luxury purchase you have made?
Should TikTok be banned in the US?
What would Matt do today if he knew he would not fail?

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The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20VC: Anduril Co-Founder on How a Trump Administration Changes the Defence Industry | What Happens Between China vs Taiwan, Israel vs Palestine, Russia vs Ukraine | How Software Changes War & Why TikTok Should Be Banned with Matt Grimm

Episode guests