Alex van Someren has lived at the frontier of technology entrepreneurship, venture capital, and national security. As a teenager he joined Acorn Computers, the company that seeded ARM Holdings and the UK’s early computing revolution. He co-founded nCipher, a London-listed cryptography firm, later became a partner at Amadeus Capital Partners, and between 2021 and 2024 served as the UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security. In this Fund Shack conversation, Alex shares deep insights into:

🔹The UK’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSIF) and its parallels with DARPA and US defence-linked venture capital.

🔹The cultural clash between government risk aversion and venture capital risk-taking.

🔹The future of dual-use technologies across AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and space. 🔹The ESG debate around nuclear energy and small modular reactors.

🔹Why, despite all the hype, venture capital is still one of the hardest ways to make money. Alex’s perspective, as founder, investor, and government adviser, is a rare window into how capital, technology, and security policy interact in today’s geopolitical and financial environment.

Thank you to our episode partner Brookfield Private Equity: Global leader in acquiring and driving operational transformation in industrials and essential business services.

For more information, visit: www.brookfield.com/about-us/capabilities/private-equity

💼 Learn more at: Paladin Capital Group

🌐 www.paladincapgroup.com Alex van Someren www.paladincapgroup.com/people/alex-van-someren/

Ross Butler Founder and Host Fund Shack

🌐 www.fund-shack.com CONNECT on Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/rossbutler1/

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Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and global media channel for alternative investment professionals. Fund Shack is produced by Linear B Group.

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Email: katie@linearb.media
Company: Linear B Group

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Contact Information: About Fund Shack: Fund Shack is a private equity podcast and digital media channel for alternative investment professionals. Fund Shack is produced by Linear B Group Limited.