Pentagon Goes VC: Silicon Valley Speed for Defense Tech

Emil Michael, Uber’s former No. 2, now leads the Pentagon’s push to run defense tech like a venture-capital firm—funding startups, expediting contracts, and even taking equity in companies through programs backed by federal loans up to $200 billion. While officials argue this speeds innovation and broadens the industrial base, critics warn of opaque decision‑making, potential conflicts of interest, and diminished traditional oversight as the private sector gains influence over taxpayer money.