Fall Summit Speaker Announcement, Fundings: QuantCube Technology, Liquid X, VMRay
Fall Summit Speaker Announcement, Fundings: QuantCube Technology, Liquid X, VMRay
21 December 2022 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
We Need Consequential Leadership at all Levels in Momentus Times
Brett Davis is a Partner in New North Ventures — a Venture Capital firm focused on technological innovation. Brett retired as a Senior Executive in the Central Intelligence Agency and Special Operations Officer in the US Navy. His combined 34 years of government experience included leading complex operations and enterprise-wide programs across the Central Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, US Military and other government agencies. Brett will be speaking at the High Consequence Leadership Summit in Fall 23’ about the importance of teams and consequential leadership.
“We are living in times of intense challenges – the biggest war in Europe since World War II, economic stress as we emerge from the pandemic and epic supply chain failures. A great power conflict with China has become a full-on economic hot war, escalating Russian influence against democracy. There are dramatic energy shortages and accelerating climate change. Taken in aggregate, the threats to our hopes and expectations for the future can seem daunting and overwhelming. Someone should do something.”
Register now for the High Consequence Leadership Summit Fall 2023 brought to you by New North Ventures. We are bringing together top performers from the business world, special operations community, and pro-sports. The summit will explore parallels between these communities and pushing the boundaries of what is possible to win. You won’t want to miss this summit in Virginia Beach, home to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 and its SEAL Teams 2, 4, 8, 10 and 18.
Founded: 2013
Key People: Co-founded by Thanh-Long Huynh, Ghizlaine Amrani, and Serge Barbosa
Elevator Pitch: Data analytics platform intended to provide real-time predictive analytics based on massive unstructured data to clients. This is achieved by combining artificial intelligence algorithms, predictive analytics, and data science.
Funding: The company raised an undisclosed amount of Series B venture funding in a deal led by the Tawazun Strategic Development Fund on December 20, 2022. Moody's, Five Capital, and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round.
Founded: 2010
Key People: Founded by Richard McCullough Ph.D
Elevator Pitch: Manufacturer of functional, particle-free metallic inks intended to develop emerging niche applications. The company's metal complex inks are used to develop and print functional components utilized in various devices, including sensors; heating elements, and smart textiles.
Funding: The company raised $1.40 million of venture funding from undisclosed investors on December 19, 2022.
Founded: 2013
Key People: Co-founded by Carsten Willems Ph.D and Ralf Hund Ph.D
Elevator Pitch: Threat-analysis and detection software designed to liberate organizations from undetectable digital malware threats by automating security operations, including advanced persistent threats and targeted attacks enabling businesses to monitor and neutralize any malware threats in real time without any damaging effects to their data.
Funding: The company raised EUR 34 million of Series B venture funding in a deal led by Tikehau Ace Capital on December 19, 2022. High-Tech Gründerfonds, eCAPITAL entrepreneurial Partners, Gründerfonds Ruhr, and NRW.Bank also participated in the round.
What the World’s Most Important Company Must Do
Often referred to as the “Silicon Shield,” Taiwan produces a staggering 65% of the world’s semiconductors and over 90% of the highest-end chips. As such, no company is more singularly important to the global economy than TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company).
TSMC announced plans to invest $40 billion to build a second fabricating plant in Arizona, scheduled to be up and running in 2024. In October the Biden administration announced sweeping export controls on chips to China designed to cripple China’s ability to produce advanced chips and pursue other high-tech manufacturing citing national security concerns. TSMC has received a one-year exemption from the new US export controls.
In an effort to remain the “silicon shield” for Taiwan and also diversify its chip-manufacturing capacities, the company is exploring plans to open fabs in Japan and Europe in addition to Arizona.
Through the CHIPS and Science Act, the U.S. has reduced its dependence on Taiwanese chips while increasing support for domestic semiconductor producers. However, this is not enough because TSMC will continue to lead the world in advanced chip production and export controls could lead to less deterrence for a Chinese invasion.
China completes seventh space launch inside 10 days
China launched a Long March 11 solid rocket from Xichang early Friday, completing a campaign of seven orbit launch attempts in just over a week which included the debut of two new launch vehicles.
The rocket lifted off on December 16 sending the Shiyan-21 satellite into orbit. Shiyan series satellites are believed to be used to pilot new technologies in space.
China has launched 62 times this year versus 82 launches in the US. Of the latter, SpaceX accounted for 55.
As the year comes to an end, we’re looking back on our most listened podcast episodes. The Intersection of Innovation and National Security with Jake Chapman was our top episode; Jake Chapman is currently the managing director of Marque Venture Capital, formerly the Army Venture Capital Corporation (AVCC) which is a non-profit created by congress in 2002 to support the modernization efforts of the US Army. Give it a listen to gain key insights into the evolution of the AVCC and investing in national security innovation. Look for a new episode of Securing the Future Podcasts wherever you listen. Listen below on Spotify.
The Securing Our Future newsletter will be back in the new year. Happy Holidays and thank you for subscribing!