Ask HN: Research on Novel Deep Tech Funding Approaches

2 points

2 years ago

I occasionally reflect on how VC in its current format doesn't align very well with several givens in deep tech co's, such as long and uncertain development pathways, large capital expenses, bad margins, ultra specialist talent requirements, production hell etc. As has been discussed in numerous papers, there is still a gap somewhere between public funding and the general model of many VCs which is still heavily informed by the only thing that sort of reliably works for them: software.

Anyway, there are a number of books and papers on this topic, but does anyone have any recommendations for some really detailed analysis/thinking on what a next generation funding solution might be? A lot of what I have read so far just reports and summarizes well known stats around this topic, but I haven't seen much detailed work on novel financing methods. Its mostly just loose suggestions that more funds should have patient capital and ARPA funding should be increased.

for example: https://energy.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MITEI-WP-2016-06.pdf