Sourcery

Trae Stephens, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Anduril, shares insights from his journey in defense tech and his work with Peter Thiel at Palantir. He discusses the cultural shift towards defense innovation in Silicon Valley since 2017 and Anduril’s strategy for multi-domain autonomy across air, sea, ground, and space. Trae emphasizes the idea that 'the factory is the weapon,' addressing the critical role of manufacturing in national security. He also tackles ethical considerations in warfare, exploring Just War Theory and the importance of precision in operations.

In this insightful conversation, Matt Grimm, Co-Founder and COO of Anduril, shares the extraordinary journey of the company from a tiny garage to a global defense technology leader. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at Anduril's impressive 200,000 sq ft R&D facility and the groundbreaking Ghost Shark autonomous submarine program. Matt discusses the unique hiring culture, the division of founder responsibilities, and the innovative approaches to rapid prototyping and electronic warfare testing that drive their success in the defense industry.

Brian Schimpf, Co-founder and CEO of Anduril, discusses the company's impressive growth trajectory, boasting over 7,000 employees and $1B in revenue. He highlights Anduril's shift from small drones to advanced autonomous systems like fighter jets and cruise missiles. The conversation dives into the challenges of the U.S. defense budget, emphasizing personnel over procurement. Schimpf shares lessons from his time at Palantir about harnessing talent and creativity, while outlining the company's ambitious plans for global defense and rapid capability deployment.

Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril and a pioneer in defense tech and VR, leads a discussion on the company's cutting-edge autonomous aircraft and ethical implications of AI. Trae Stephens, co-founder, delves into defense budget realities and the significance of manufacturing capacity as a deterrent. Matt Grimm showcases advanced systems like the Ghost Shark submarine and explains the rigorous testing processes. Their candid insights provide a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and modern warfare.

Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering, discusses his unique journey from scaling Uber to shaping modern defense. He reveals the Department of War’s six critical technology areas, emphasizing the importance of applied AI and hypersonics in modern warfare. Emil highlights innovative companies like Anduril and Planet Labs that are transforming defense tech. He also shares insights on the need to reshore supply chains and enhance troop preparedness, all while debunking myths about the defense sector's challenges and priorities.

Manny Medina, Co-founder and CEO of Paid, shared his journey from scaling Outreach to addressing SaaS revenue challenges. He unveiled how $300 billion in SaaS revenue is trapped due to outdated pricing models. Manny explained the power of AI agents performing end-to-end workflows and the limitations of seat-based pricing. He highlighted how early adopters of his platform experienced 20–40% revenue growth, and discussed the evolving role of agents in customer support and operations. The conversation explored building an efficiency mindset and preparing for a future where AI agents dominate.

Marc Bhargava, Managing Director at General Catalyst, dives into transformative AI roll-ups reshaping the $16 trillion services market. He reveals how their $1.5B fund incubates AI-native companies that not only automate 20-30% of tasks but also double EBITDA margins in just a year. Marc discusses selecting industries ripe for AI disruption, the necessary multidisciplinary teams needed for success, and the potential for AI to enhance rather than eliminate jobs. His insights hint at a future where AI-powered businesses mirror software giants, creating new opportunities across various sectors.

Bradley Tusk, a venture investor and political strategist known for his role in Uber's early days, shares valuable insights from his experiences with Travis Kalanick. He highlights Kalanick's quick, analytical approach that helped reshape Uber's political landscape. Tusk discusses the impact of AI on tech valuations and the regulatory environment, revealing the shift from traditional venture capital to an equity-for-services model. He emphasizes the importance of aligning advisory work with equity, offers advice on navigating regulation, and reflects on his transition from political consulting to working with startups.

Philip Clark, a Partner at Thrive Capital with a background in physics and computer science, shares insights into the firm’s transformative investments. He recounts his thrilling experience of flying into a war zone to secure the Wiz deal and discusses Cursor’s astonishing growth. Philip emphasizes the evolving landscape of hardware driven by advanced sensors and software, plus explains why companies like Nudge are reshaping neurotechnology. He also highlights AI's potential to augment work rather than displace it, envisioning a future abundant with innovation.

David Ulevitch, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and former founder of OpenDNS, dives into American Dynamism and their impressive $600M fund. He discusses the U.S. supply-chain vulnerabilities to China and advocates for deterrence over parity in defense. Ulevitch highlights sectors ripe for investment like robotics-driven manufacturing and energy. He also explains Anduril's unique marketing strategy and shares his insights on talent acquisition in the startup world, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven cultures.