
Military Tech Investors Seek Trump Boost at Mar-a-Lago
Mar-a-Lago, the private club owned by former President Donald Trump, has become a hot spot for military tech investors looking to capitalize on the outgoing president’s influence and connections. Two firms, Balerion Capital and Marlinspike Partners, recently held events at the venue, drawing high-profile attendees including Elon Musk, Radiant CEO Tony Fadell and other prominent figures.
Balerion Capital cofounder Philip Scully stated that he expected potential administration officials to drop by the event. He emphasized that this is “the golden era of hardware investing” and that Mar-a-Lago is where it’s all happening. The event brought together companies like Radiant, which creates portable nuclear reactors, and Space Nukes, a firm focused on deploying fission energy in space.
Marlinspike Partners CEO Keegan, a U.S. Navy veteran and financier, has backed defense unicorns such as Anduril and Shield AI, as well as SpaceX. During the event, he highlighted the proximity to history, pointing out that Trump had vetted his potential cabinet picks in the same room weeks earlier.
The events are notable for their speed of planning – less than a month was required for the firms to organize them with the help of Mar-a-Lago members sponsoring the gatherings. When questioned about the importance of these events, Keegan emphasized its focus on business: “I love it, this is America, we’re a capitalist country.” He also acknowledged that the possibility of bumping into Trump’s inner circle or government officials could be beneficial for attendees.
However, it remains unclear whether Mar-a-Lago will maintain its allure once Trump leaves the White House. Keegan expressed doubts about the venue’s appeal after January 20th: “I mean the guy was basically running the country from Mar-a-Lago since he got elected.”
Source: http://www.forbes.com