Plausible Science Fiction: The Future of Warfare | Matt Bigge, Crosslink Capital

Plausible Science Fiction and Why the Warfighter is Using Obsolete Tech Imagine a world where the guidance system in a missile is less advanced than the iPhone in your pocket. Tim Tonella, CEO of MatchStar Venture Search, sits down with Matt Bigge, Managing Partner at Crosslink Capital, to discuss why the 6.9-year Department of Defense procurement loop is leaving our warfighters behind. In this episode of Venture2Victory, Tim and Matt explore the intersection of national security and the innovation economy. From his background in the 10th Mountain Division to his role at Crosslink Capital—a firm managing over $3.4 Billion in assets—Matt explains how he identifies "plausible science fiction"—technologies that seem impossible today but are inevitable tomorrow. Join Tim as he uncovers the defense tech mindset required to build a modern deterrent and why autonomy is no longer a future concept, but a reality happening today. In this episode, you’ll learn: ◆ The definition of plausible science fiction in modern warfare. ◆ Why every piece of equipment a warfighter touches is already obsolete. ◆ The three pillars of national security investing: modularity, interoperability, and responsiveness. ◆ Why veterans and athletes make some of the best early-stage entrepreneurs. To learn more about Matt, check out   / bigge  . If you're a founder looking to build that rockstar team, check out www.matchstar.com. Timestamps: 0:00 Why every piece of equipment a warfighter touches is already obsolete. 1:36 Introducing Matt Bigge and his journey from the 10th Mountain Division to VC. 4:51 Is SpaceX the ultimate definition of plausible science fiction? 7:35 Why autonomy is no longer the future—it is happening today. 11:00 How the private sector is filling the DoD’s innovation gap. 13:25 The three pillars of national security: Modularity, Interoperability, and Responsiveness. 15:30 The 6.9-year failure loop: Why the government can't keep pace with tech. 19:15 Dark Factories and the AI-enabled manufacturing revolution. 20:55 Robotic soldiers and the future of human-machine teaming on the ground. 25:35 How to scale a defense startup to nine figures on modest capital. 29:10 What Matt looks for in elite founders: The ability to sell vision and stock. 32:10 Vicarious vs. Empirical learning: How to be a world-class board member. 35:10 Why veterans and athletes are the ultimate early-stage entrepreneurs. 38:30 Navigating the fog of uncertainty in the innovation economy. 42:50 The $1 Billion Question: Where to invest for the future of deterrents. 44:10 Defining Victory: Why healthy relationships matter more than the exit. __________________________________________________________________________________ ABOUT THIS PODCAST AND INTERVIEW HOST Welcome to our channel. I'm Tim Tonella, CEO of MatchStar Venture Search, a 25-year national executive search firm serving the venture capital and private equity technology space. My team and I have placed over 1,000 leaders into some life transforming companies! Our goal in launching the VENTURE 2 VICTORY Channel is to provide inspiration, guidance, and community access for Founders, CEOs, and C-suite executives looking to grow their companies, start a new venture, or seek out new opportunities. If you love CEO stories, founder insights, and groundbreaking startup innovations, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and be part of the entrepreneurial revolution that's shaping our future right now! To check out MORE about Tim: ►► www.linkedin.com/in/timtonella/ ►► www.matchstar.com ►► www.dreamjobamerica.com