Eric Slesinger, founder of 201 Ventures, diverges from the trend of U.S. VCs chasing domestic AI and defense tech by focusing on European defense startups. With a recent $22 million fund dedicated exclusively to seed-stage European defense initiatives, his journey from CIA officer to investor stems from his recognition of the evolving dynamics where the private sector increasingly influences defense competition. Slesinger's background in engineering and business uniquely positions him to bridge defense technology and entrepreneurship, reflecting an unconventional but insightful approach to investment opportunities.
"I left because I noticed that the private sector was increasingly playing a role in this competition that I previously had understood really to just be a government to government competition."
"I have always enjoyed going where other people tend to not want to go... 'go where others don't go and do what they can't do.'"
Collection
[
|
...
]