Deep Tech and the pursuit of science fiction

Published: May 2024

One of the fascinating things about investing in breakthrough technology is its uncanny ability to straddle the line between science and science fiction. These investments are not for the faint of heart. They're difficult, uncertain, and often misunderstood. Yet, it's precisely this challenge that makes them so crucial and, frankly, so exciting.

Consider the privatization of space through companies like SpaceX. A few decades ago, the idea of private companies launching rockets and resupplying space stations would have seemed like pure fantasy. It required a massive amount of capital, years of research and development, and the audacity to challenge established norms. But SpaceX's success has not only lowered the cost of space travel but also sparked a new space race, catalyzing innovations that are propelling humanity toward the stars. This is what happens when bold investments in cutting-edge technology pay off—they redefine what's possible on a global scale.

Look at other examples, like Tesla in electric vehicles or DeepMind in artificial intelligence. Tesla took on the enormous challenge of building electric cars that could compete with traditional vehicles in both performance and price. It required huge financial investments and a willingness to take on a deeply entrenched industry. But the payoff has been extraordinary: Tesla has not only become one of the most valuable companies in the world but has also accelerated the global shift towards sustainable energy. Similarly, DeepMind's breakthroughs in AI, like defeating human champions in complex games such as Go, have laid the groundwork for AI applications across numerous industries, from healthcare to logistics.

The essence of these ventures lies in their ambition to tackle problems that feel like they belong in a sci-fi novel—quantum computing, artificial general intelligence, molecular biology. These fields promise to fundamentally alter our reality. But here's the rub: the path to these breakthroughs is rarely straightforward. It involves years of research, massive capital expenditure, and, most importantly, patience.

Why, then, should we invest in something that seems so distant and so difficult? Because of its transformative potential. These technologies have a unique way of creating entirely new markets and redefining existing ones. Think about the internet or smartphones—both were once considered fringe technologies, complex and misunderstood. Yet those who believed in them and had the courage to invest early on have seen returns that aren't just measured in monetary terms but in the very fabric of society.

The amount of money required to build these ideas is often staggering. These projects can take years, if not decades, to mature and become commercially viable. But the potential impact on a global scale is immense. When these technologies succeed, they don’t just pay off for investors—they change the world.

Investing in these areas forces us to look beyond the immediate and obvious, to imagine futures that blend the lines between science fiction and science fact. This is not about chasing trends or riding waves—it's about committing to the long game. It's a bet worth making, even if it’s a long shot. Because when these technologies come to fruition, they don’t just deliver financial returns; they redefine what's possible.

Coming Soon

How to get to space.