Deep Tech Briefing #37: 🤖 Nadella & Horowitz Ode ad AI; 🚀 Australia Reaches Sovereign Orbital Launch Capability; ☢️ Microreactors for Off-Grid Power;💧Rapid Microfluidics Manufacturing
An insider’s update on Deep Tech Ventures: Your dose of tech innovations, startups, exponential industries, policies, and market moves to stay ahead and capitalize on it.
Welcome to the #37 edition of Deep Tech Briefing, our Sunday column where we break down the week’s top developments in Deep Tech Startups and Venture Capital.
In today’s edition
Microsoft and a16z join forces to advocate for AI-friendly policy shifts
Australia enters the sovereign orbital launch elite with Gilmour Space
Microreactor tech advances, targeting off-grid and critical infrastructure
CERN and Nu Quantum collaborate on data center-scale quantum networking
Microfluidics manufacturer accelerates R&D with rapid-production innovation
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🤖Nadella, Horowitz and their Ode ad AI.
In the fast-paced world of deep tech ventures, where innovation and disruption are the norm, a recent development has caught the attention of industry insiders and the broader public alike.
Microsoft and a16z have set aside differences, making headlines with their joint effort to advocate for policies that support AI innovation and startups in the United States.
Their joint statement, titled "AI for Startups," outlines a comprehensive vision for how policymakers could create an environment that nurtures the growth and success of both established players and ambitious newcomers in the AI industry.

At the core of Nadella and Horowitz's message is the belief that artificial intelligence represents the "most consequential innovation" of this generation, comparable to the transformative impact of the printing press, electricity, and the internet. They argue that AI's potential to address complex societal challenges and create entirely new economic opportunities is so significant that it would be shortsighted not to encourage collaboration across the ecosystem.
The policy recommendations from these tech leaders span several key areas, each aimed at fostering a thriving, competitive, and inclusive AI landscape:
Regulation that Promotes Opportunity: The authors advocate for a science and standards-based approach to AI regulation, focusing on mitigating the risks of misuse rather than imposing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles on startups. They believe this will bolster the global success and reach of U.S. tech companies.
Competition and Choice: Emphasizing the importance of allowing a diverse range of AI models, both proprietary and open-source, to spur innovation and competition. The goal is to give developers and