I'm a senior writer at Forbes covering AI, defense and national security. I'm also the co-author of WONDER BOY: Tony Hsieh, Zappos and the Myth of Happiness in Silicon Valley, published by Henry Holt & Company. Contact me on Twitter at @davidjeans2 or email me at
Andreessen Horowitz Backs Military Drone Boat Startup At $1 Billion Valuation
Austin-based Saronic launched in 2022 and is raising $175 million to help it build a fleet of military drone boats.
CEO of Goldman Sachs-Backed Startup Slync Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison
Chris Kirchner was arrested in 2023 following a Forbes investigation that revealed he overstated company financials and spent lavishly on personal expenses.
The Curious Rise Of Silicon Valley’s Trump Whisperer — A Former Biden Donor Pushing A Free-For-All AI Policy
After Jacob Helberg rallied support for the TikTok ban bill, the former Democratic fundraiser has become one of Silicon Valley’s conduits to former president Donald Trump.
Why Top Nuclear Experts And Ex-CIA Brass Joined A High School Grad's Tiny Fusion Startup
JC Btaiche, the 24-year-old CEO of Fuse, has raised $20 million and signed on Iran’s former top nuclear scientist and former Pentagon officials to solve fusion.
A Secret ‘Electronic Warfare’ Startup Is Raising $15 Million From A16z And 8VC
CX2, which is still in stealth, is being led by serial entrepreneur Nathan Mintz, who co-founded the counter-drone unicorn Epirus.
AI Startup Helsing Raising Funds At $4 Billion Valuation, A Major Bet On Defense Tech
The Munich-based company Helsing is raising at least $400 million in a funding round led by General Catalyst, sources tell Forbes.
Investors Gave A Teenager $85 Million To Build Hydrogen Weapons. It’s Not Going Well
Ethan Thornton’s vision for Mach Industries wooed investors, but he has been hamstrung by technical challenges, safety hazards and a cavalier approach to leadership.
The Tech Bros Powering Silicon Valley’s Military Fever Dream With Energy Drinks, God And Nicotine
Venture investors like Andreessen Horowitz are swooning over the so-called "Gundo Bros," who are building American hardware and software companies near LAX airport.
China Hawk Rep. Mike Gallagher Is Taking A Job At Palantir
The Wisconsin congressman had recently introduced a bill to force TikTok to divest from Chinese owners or face a ban.
Pentagon Kills A Key Tech Program, Dealing A Blow To Silicon Valley’s Defense Ambitions
The Defense Department abruptly decided to stop funding Shift, a $2 million fellowship program that strengthened the Pentagon’s relationship with startups and venture capitalists.