Can consumer tech like Facebook and Oculus really help win wars?
As governments get serious about AI and startups, Silicon Valley is being dragged—sometimes unwillingly—into the global military and geopolitical game.
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack how Meta is teaming up with Anduril—the military tech startup founded by Oculus’ Palmer Luckey—to bring XR (Extended Reality) to the battlefield. They also break down how Google might preemptively split itself, how UK civil servants gained 5% productivity with AI tools, and why Europe’s startup scene may finally be waking up.
In this episode, you will:
• Learn how Meta’s AR & VR technology is being integrated into US military operations
• Understand the strategic irony behind Palmer Luckey and Meta partnering again
• Explore the concept of “reverse technology transfer” from consumer tech to defense
• Discover why Google may break itself up before regulators force it
• See how the UK’s use of Microsoft Copilot gave government workers a 5% productivity boost
• Unpack the EU’s new law that lets startups register and begin trading in under 48 hours
• Assess how New York is quietly becoming Silicon Valley’s biggest challenger
Whether you're a founder, operator, or just a curious mind in the startup world, this episode gives you sharp insights into how tech, defense, and regulation are reshaping the startup landscape.
Timestamps
00:00 On Today's Show
00:42 Introductions
01:03 Google's Potential Self-Breakup
08:06 Meta and Anduril XR: Military Tech Collaboration
15:12 Europe Finally Invests in AI
23:17 New York City: The Rising Tech Hub
26:43 Closing Thoughts
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Key links
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/
Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/
Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/
Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/
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