StrictlyVC Los Angeles to Spotlight Defense Tech and Physical AI Trends

The upcoming StrictlyVC Los Angeles event, scheduled for June 18 at The Aerospace Corporation Campus, is set to convene industry leaders to address the evolving landscape of venture capital and deep technology. As the tech sector shifts its focus toward tangible, high-stakes industries, the event aims to provide a platform for candid discussions on the intersection of national security, robotics, and long-term investment strategies.

Key sessions will feature prominent figures such as Ethan Thornton of Mach Industries, who will discuss the rapid evolution of the defense sector, and a collaborative panel featuring Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund and Saif Khawaja of Shinkei Systems. Their dialogue will center on the rise of 'physical AI'—the integration of robotics and automation into real-world applications—marking a significant departure from the software-centric focus that has dominated the venture landscape for the past decade. Additionally, M13 co-founder Carter Reum will provide an investor’s perspective on identifying durable, long-term innovation amidst the current AI hype cycle.

This gathering is particularly significant as it highlights a broader trend in the venture capital world: a pivot toward 'hard tech' and infrastructure-heavy startups. By bringing together founders and investors in a curated setting, StrictlyVC facilitates a deeper understanding of how capital is being deployed into sectors that require both significant technical expertise and long-term commitment. For attendees, the event serves as a vital barometer for where institutional money is heading, moving beyond speculative software trends toward companies designed to solve complex, physical-world challenges.