Just so 100M+ hard-working and politically isolated Americans know, there’s an entire ecosystem of VCs and builders who respect, prefer, and favor flyover America (we’re proud to call you fellow countrymen). We’re not ivory tower tech elitists confined to the limited and narrow opinions of several metropolitan bubbles. Below are patriots who proudly support and respect you, your rights, your beliefs, and your lifestyles. I’m hoping each of these people name ten others they know who champion similar characteristics. Let’s highlight the “other” (this) side so flyover America knows everyone who’s got their back. @JoshuaSteinman @jakobdiepen @SantiagoPliego @2112Power @IanRountree @davidu @FilArons @aphysicist @austinbishop @gregorymbernn @trevorcapozza @benkohlmann @ADoricko @zanehengsperger @vc @KennethCassel @codyaims @NatHalberstadt @GaruthAcharya

Things have been busy since the turn of the year. Yes, @SilentVentures closed an $85M early stage defense and deep tech fund, but we avoided publishing click-bait headlines about being oversubscribed, closing in a matter of weeks, and delivering top-decile returns. Instead, we tripled-down on what’s made us successful: founders, founders, founders. In doing so, we’ve led first check investments into exceptional early stage companies like @IronsteadUSA @Furientis @SupercriticalUS and @S_Energetics, among others. We’ve also had the privilege of continuing to support the remarkable teams at @Saronic @ereborbank @armada_ai @AmcaInc @DominionDynamic and @terraindustries. Guided by a differentiated ethos - proximity, humility, and service - Silent Ventures was fortunate to attract major investment from @briansin’s GPx. While I’m unable to publicly share much about GPx, their site states they “give elite GPs an unfair advantage.” I can personally attest to this. I’ve learned more from Brian and Lee Linden than just about anyone else in this ecosystem. Contrarians supporting contrarians with non-consensus strategies and 5th-dimension thought experiments - this is what makes them tick. Nonstop challenges to my thesis: this is what makes me excited to have them as limited partners. And it’s a blessing to share these learnings with founders like @GaruthAcharya @brody_franzen Simon Shuham, Michael Brown, and others yet to be named. From evaluating the human variable to making highly concentrated bets under pressure, this is how Silent Ventures invests with conviction. So, if you’re a pre-seed founder building things of consequence for the betterment of the free world, national security, critical systems, and the defense industrial base, we at Silent Ventures want to hear from you. We may very well end up writing your first check, but only if we’ve earned the right to be on your cap table. We aren’t presumptuous. We aren’t entitled. We aren’t the 90%. We are long-term partners with a track record to prove it (14 unicorns). We are patient capital. We are with you when times are good. More importantly, we stand by your side when times are bad. *Shoutout to @barratt_dewey and @tectonicdefense. If you’re not subscribed to their newsletter, immediately stop what you’re doing and sign up.

Brian is authentic to his core. I greatly admire his no BS attitude. I’ve learned much from him in so little time. Glad this OG is mentoring GPs. He will win. GPx is a strategy all platforms will attempt to copy 5+ years from now. Don’t think they’ll be successful though.