Bradley C. Harrison

TexCap Policy Institute and I published today a white paper that lays out the policy blueprint Texas needs to unlock real, high-growth capital formation. I’ve been saying it for years, and now I’ve put it in writing for #Texas, officially: Startups are not small businesses. If we want to lead the nation in #innovation, we can’t focus on grants, programs, and services designed for restaurants and retail and we can't keep supporting startup ecosystems and programs that we *know* won't work. Texas must separate startup policy from small business support. The distinction isn’t just semantic — it’s economic. Read the full blueprint: https://lnkd.in/gNvcf6Ew h/t Gavin N. Omar Zaki, MBA cc Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott Texas Economic Development

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🚀Initiation of Coverage: Firestorm 🚀 We’ve initiated coverage on Firestorm for IPO CLUB’s flagship fund, America2030, within the defense sector, covered by Board Member Eva Cassman. Firestorm is a San Diego–based defense technology company pioneering modular unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and expeditionary manufacturing for the next generation of military and critical commercial missions. Founded in 2022 by Dan Magy 🏴‍☠️, Ian Muceus, Chad McCoy and Matthew McCord Firestorm combines additive manufacturing, AI-driven autonomy, and open-architecture systems to deliver drones that can be built, repaired, and deployed directly in the field — cutting costs, timelines, and logistical dependence. 🔍 Why we like Firestorm Modular innovation: The Tempest UAS and Armory platform enable flexible mission profiles — ISR, EW, or kinetic payload — with rapid assembly and swappable propulsion systems. Expeditionary production: The xCell Factory-in-a-Box brings HP’s industrial 3D printing to forward bases, enabling mobile drone manufacturing at the point of need. Proven traction: Over $100 million in United States Air Force contracts across autonomy, swarm technology, and field production — validating strong defense adoption. 💡Notable Investors New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Decisive Point, Washington Harbour Partners LP and HP. ⚔️ Competitive Landscape Operating alongside Anduril Industries, Shield AI and DroneUp, Firestorm differentiates through field-deployable manufacturing, rapid mission reconfiguration, and MOSA/FACE-compliant architecture — achieving “Affordable Mass” at unprecedented speed and scale. 🌍 With a new production facility three times larger than before and a rapidly expanding workforce, Firestorm Labs is shaping the future of modular autonomy and defense manufacturing — delivering faster, smarter, and more adaptable aerial capabilities for modern warfare and humanitarian missions alike.

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🚀 We’re thrilled to announce our investment in Samara Aerospace’s $10 million Seed round to help bring more stability to satellites in orbit and enable high-sensitivity radio frequency (RF) detection for defense (e.g. hypersonic missiles) and commercial (e.g. vessels) applications.  The round was led by Balerion Space Ventures, with participation from IllinoisVentures GP LLC, MFV Partners, and Access Holdings Samara’s vision: Samara is building a new generation of high-stability satellites, called Hummingbirds, designed to detect the faintest RF emissions from Earth and its atmosphere. The problem: Modern satellites are optimized for cost and speed, at the expense of: ⚠️ Signal instability reducing data quality and reliability ⚠️ Limited ability to detect aircraft radar, ship transponders, and advanced weather systems ⚠️ Inefficiencies that translate into lost time, resources, and data What Samara does differently: At the core of Hummingbird is MSAC (Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control), an active vibration-cancellation system. Instead of passively damping movements and jitters, MSAC actively eliminates them, allowing for: ✅ Extreme satellite stability for ultra-weak RF signal detection ✅ Support for much larger antennas and solar arrays without sacrificing agility ✅ Cut satellite size and weight without impacting performance Traction: Samara recently launched its technology demonstrator, “Cicada” with SpaceX and received Non-dilutive funding including a $4M SpaceWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) award and a NASA Phase I contract. These are in addition to more than $800m in LOIs that Samara holds with aerospace contractors and companies. Samara's plans to deploy a full constellation of these stabilised satellites, enabling faint radio signals detection for dual-use application: Defence: tracking fast-moving targets, including hypersonic missiles, with precision beyond existing technology.  Commercial/Civil: providing continuous monitoring and awareness of assets across the globe such as vessels and airplanes. What’s next: 🚀 First mission Hummingbird-1 planned for 2027 🏭 Scaling operations with a new 11,200-sq-ft production facility We’re excited to back Samara Aerospace alongside Balerion Space Ventures and What If Ventures, and are excited for what’s to come. You can read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/enZyy2Xu 💡 Want access to breakthrough ventures like Samara Aerospace? Join our investor network 👉 https://lnkd.in/g4AedRck Note: This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. #SpaceTech #Aerospace #DefenseTech #DeepTech #VentureCapital

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I had a great time joining the Drone Wars podcast with Dan Magy 🏴‍☠️, not just a fantastic host, but a friend, a member of the Harpoon portfolio, and someone who’s been pushing the defense tech ecosystem forward for years. We covered a wide range of topics: how lessons from elite sports translate into resilience, why national security innovation is at an inflection point, and what I’m seeing from founders building mission-critical capabilities across the country. Dan asked all the right questions, and the conversation was a great reminder of why supporting leaders like him matters. If you’re interested in defense tech, emerging threats, or the builders shaping the future of American security, give it a listen (links in the comments). Grateful for the platform and proud to partner with founders who don’t just talk about the future, they build it. 🇺🇸 #DefenseTech #Innovation #NationalSecurity #DroneWars #HarpoonVentures #Firestorm

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Miami Space Summit — Day One This morning opened with a powerful and urgent message from Marcia Holmes, setting the tone for what is quickly becoming one of the most consequential conversations in the defense-focused space community. The focus: missile defense, urgency, and execution. We heard a compelling overview of the Golden Dome Missile Defense Program, established by Executive Order 14186, signed in January 2025 by Donald Trump. The mission is clear and unambiguous: protect American citizens and critical infrastructure from an expanding and increasingly sophisticated missile threat—ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles originating from near-peer and rogue actors. Key takeaways that resonated strongly: • The threat landscape is accelerating in scale, speed, and complexity over the next decade • Missile defense is now fundamentally multi-domain, with space playing a central role • Space-based sensing, custody, tracking, transport, and energy systems are core pillars—not enablers on the margins • Persistent global tracking and low-latency communications are essential, especially against hypersonic threats Equally important was the discussion on battle management and AI: • AI-driven command and control to rapidly parse massive data sets • Decision advantage through real-time response options • Lower cost per engagement through smarter system-of-systems integration • Cybersecurity treated as mission-critical, not an afterthought Perhaps the most consequential shift is how the Department intends to buy. The message to industry was unmistakable: • Move away from “exquisite weapons” toward capacity, speed, and scale • Replicate the Space Development Agency model—multiple performers, competitive prototyping, and performance-based rewards • Expand the industrial base by welcoming non-traditional companies and private capital • Deliver capability at a pace never seen before Golden Dome was framed as a shining example of acquisition transformation, but where accountability, innovation, and execution replace bureaucracy and delay. For investors, operators, and builders in this room, the signal is loud and clear: The Department is ready to move. The question is who is ready to deliver. Grateful to be part of these conversations and energized by the alignment we’re seeing between mission urgency, acquisition reform, and commercial innovation. #1 best event all year! Thank you Jen Ross , Chuck Meyo , John Neal for creating this amazing opportunity to next level network!! #MiamiSpaceSummit #MissileDefense #GoldenDome #DefenseInnovation #SpaceSecurity #NationalSecurity #PublicPrivatePartnerships

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🚀 Turning Space Ambition into Venture-Ready Companies I’m thrilled to see Seraphim Space partner with Space Florida to launch the #SpaceTech Investor Readiness Program, an initiative designed to help high-potential SpaceTech founders transition from breakthrough innovation to scalable, investable businesses. Florida’s space ecosystem combines deep heritage, world-class infrastructure, and ambitious founders. By bringing together Seraphim’s global investor network and SpaceTech investment expertise with Space Florida’s ecosystem leadership, this program focuses on a pivotal moment for founders: connecting the right companies with the right capital at the right time. The pilot program brings experienced investors together with seven standout Florida-based SpaceTech companies, while also engaging local investors to deepen understanding of the opportunities emerging from the state. Seraphim are delighted to support: Aloft Biotechnologies AMROK Arachnid Systems BlackStar Orbital Eta Space Micro-gRx X-Lumin At Seraphim, we’ve always believed that SpaceTech ecosystems thrive when investor readiness, global connectivity, and strong local leadership come together. Florida is a powerful example of what’s possible and it’s exciting to see the momentum building. 🚀 The journey is just beginning... Reach out to our team if you'd like to find out more: Alexander Holt, Ellie Gyaurova, Alessandro Braglia, Aida Khalil. Isabella Simmonds Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/ewXSXx8w #SpaceTech #VentureReady #NewSpace #Aerospace #Investing #GlobalCapital #Startups #SeraphimSpace #SpaceFlorida

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