Manufacturing, Autonomy, and Human-Machine Collaboration, Fundings: SpaceX, Hermeus, Halcium
28 August 2024 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
In the latest episode of Securing Our Future, our host, Jeremy Hitchcock, sits down with Jesse Hamel, a seasoned consultant, advisor, and executive coach. With a distinguished background as a former Air Force Commander, Weapons Officer, and Special Operations Aviator, Jesse brings unparalleled insights into the world of defense technology and global operations.
In this episode, Jesse delves into the future of human-machine collaboration, autonomy, and the evolving landscape of manufacturing. It's an essential listen for anyone passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the intersection of technology with national security. Listen wherever you stream your podcasts or below on Spotify:
StarCube: StarCube has been selected to join this year's cohort at the 2024 Vector Showcase hosted by the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). The hybrid event, scheduled for August 27, 2024, will be held remotely online with a viewing party at the Arizona Defense Innovation On-Ramp Hubs.
This recognition highlights StarCube's innovative contributions to national security and its commitment to advancing cutting-edge solutions in defense technology!
ICE Offers Benchmark to Track Large U.S. VC-Backed Unicorns
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and OPEN have launched the NYSE OPEN Venture Capital Unicorn Index (NYSEOVC), a new benchmark designed to track the performance of 50 large, privately held U.S.-based unicorn companies. These companies, valued at over $1 billion, are venture-backed and represent some of the fastest-growing entities in the private sector.
The index aims to provide investors with enhanced transparency and insights into the valuation and performance dynamics of these high-growth companies. It uses OPEN's advanced pricing and reference data combined with ICE's robust index calculation and administration capabilities.
The introduction of the NYSE OPEN Venture Capital Unicorn Index marks a significant step in bridging public and private markets by offering a standardized method to monitor and evaluate innovative private companies. This initiative is part of ICE's broader suite of index offerings, which support the entire lifecycle of indices and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), from securities pricing and index creation to listing and trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
The collaboration between ICE and OPEN underscores a commitment to democratizing access to private markets, empowering investors to participate in the growth potential of leading venture-backed companies.
Dual-Use Technologies: the Future of Intelligence
Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, highlighted the growing significance of dual-use technologies for the future of the Intelligence Community (IC). Speaking at the Intelligence and National Security Summit, she emphasized the need for the IC to transform its approach by integrating more closely with the private sector and academic institutions.
Haines pointed out that while private sector research and development has surged in recent decades, federal investment has stagnated, necessitating a shift in how the IC collaborates with external entities. She also stressed the geopolitical influence of industries like artificial intelligence, space, and analytics, and the need for the IC to protect critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and election integrity.
Haines also addressed the importance of workforce development and innovation, calling for programs that attract and retain a diverse and skilled workforce. She mentioned efforts to develop an emerging technology curriculum in collaboration with industry, which aims to equip the IC’s acquisition workforce with the necessary skills to integrate and scale innovative technologies.
Founded: 2002
Key People: CFO Bret Johnsen
Elevator Pitch: Rockets and spacecraft products designed to advance space transportation.
Funding: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from East River Venture Partners, Friedom Partners, and Greenbird Capital on August 27, 2024,
Founded: 2018
Key People: CEO Anthony Piplica
Elevator Pitch: A hypersonic aircraft designed to speed up the global transportation network.
Funding: The company raised $59.18 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by Canaan Partners on August 23, 2024.
Key People: Founder Nicholas Hodges
Elevator Pitch: A portable wind turbine intended to collect incoming air from three-sixty degrees and focus it into an advanced internal blade.
Funding: The company is in the process of raising an undisclosed amount of equity crowdfunding in the form of SAFE notes via Wefunder as of August 26, 2024.
Look for a new episode of Securing the Future Podcasts wherever you listen. In our most recent episode, general partner Jeremy Hitchcock sits down with Jesse Hamel about the future of human-machine collaboration, autonomy, and the evolving world of defense technology.
