Where Defense, Energy, Cyber and AI-Infra Sectors Converge
Why the Real Opportunity Lies at the Intersection of Defense, AI, Energy, and Cybersecurity.
The most transformative companies of the next decade won’t belong to one sector. They will define several.
At America 2030, our core belief is simple: the greatest value in private markets will be created where technologies intersect. Rather than allocate across isolated silos—defense, AI, energy, cybersecurity—we actively seek companies operating at the convergence of these domains. This is where innovation compounds, and where the next generation of global leaders will emerge.
The Problem with Siloed Thinking
Most investors categorize by industry: an AI company here, an energy company there. But the reality is that technological innovation in 2025 doesn’t respect sector boundaries. A dual-use drone manufacturer may leverage AI and require advanced cybersecurity. A chip company may reduce energy draw for large language models and be classified as both an AI and energy infrastructure play. A startup that protects smart grids may be central to both the cyber and energy narratives.
Crusoe Isn’t Thinking Silos—It’s the Poster Child of a Crossover Approach to Hardtech
Crusoe exemplifies the kind of multi-sector convergence that defines the America 2030 thesis. At its core, the company captures stranded natural gas—an environmental and energy liability—and redirects it to power data centers optimized for AI compute. In doing so, Crusoe touches three critical verticals simultaneously: energy, by mitigating flare gas and enhancing sustainability; AI, by directly enabling high-performance computing; and even cyberinfrastructure, by reducing reliance on centralized grids. Crusoe’s model proves that the most resilient hardtech businesses don’t just solve one problem—they operate at the nexus of systems, industries, and long-term geopolitical needs. It’s not an energy company or an AI company—it’s both, and that’s precisely the point.
Robots, Drones and Augmented Soldiers
A drone initially designed for defense applications—such as autonomous surveillance or tactical delivery, can rapidly evolve into a transformative force in commercial logistics or air travel. Its precision, reliability, and resilience under extreme conditions often outperform existing civilian technologies, enabling innovation in last-mile delivery and unmanned cargo transport. Similarly, a humanoid robot engineered for high-precision factory work may later be adapted for defense use, its dexterity and machine learning capabilities allowing it to operate in complex battlefield environments. What begins as industrial automation can become force multiplication. These examples underscore how technologies developed for one domain can redefine others when viewed through a cross-sector lens.
These aren’t outliers, they’re the norm in our pipeline.
What Does Convergence Look Like in America 2030’s Model Portfolio?
Here are examples from America 2030 Fund’s current deal pipeline, showing how convergence creates structural advantages and defensible value:
Defense x AI – Shield AI as an example
Shield AI is primarily recognized as a defense technology company, developing artificial intelligence-powered systems for military applications such as autonomous drones and AI pilots. Its main clients are the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. military branches, and allied international militaries. The company’s mission centers on protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems, and its products are actively deployed in defense operations.
However, Shield AI is also considered a dual-use technology company. Dual-use technologies are those that can be used for both military and civilian purposes. Notably, Shield AI’s autonomy software and AI-powered drones have demonstrated applications outside of pure defense scenarios. For example, during an AFWERX demonstration, Shield AI’s V-BAT drones were used to monitor and surveil simulated wildfires—a clear non-military, civilian application. The company’s technology is described as having “dual-use applications” in such contingency scenarios. Furthermore, Shield AI is explicitly listed in the industry category of “Dual use technology” by some of its investors and partners.
AI x Energy
Crusoe converts stranded natural gas into clean power for data centers running AI workloads—solving both environmental waste and AI compute demand.
Lightmatter and PsiQuantum are pioneering energy-efficient computing through photonics and quantum architecture.
Cyber x AI
Dragos, Huntress, and Synack use AI to identify and mitigate cyber threats in real time—vital for infrastructure, data centers, and AI systems.
Tanium provides endpoint security across thousands of devices, many of which support AI operations in sensitive environments.
Defense x Cyber
Epirus builds advanced directed energy weapons and RF countermeasures that are software-defined and cyber-secure.
Nozomi and Cybereason secure operational technologies, often targeted in defense-related supply chains.
Defense x Space x AI
SpaceX, Kepler Communications, and HawkEye 360 integrate AI to manage satellite constellations, optimize routing, and support defense intelligence.
These companies don’t fit cleanly into a single box—and that’s exactly the point. Their cross-sector relevance gives them access to multiple revenue sources, public and private funding, and a diversified buyer universe ranging from defense primes to energy utilities and cloud hyperscalers.
Why This Matters Now
The geopolitical and industrial landscape is shifting rapidly. Government budgets in the U.S. and Europe are expanding across defense, AI, and energy. Private markets remain inefficient in pricing late-stage secondaries for dual-use companies. The combination creates a rare window for asymmetric returns.
America 2030 is designed to capitalize on this. Our team sources, diligences, and allocates to convergence companies with maturity, revenue visibility, and near-term liquidity potential. We operate with institutional discipline and offer access through a single vehicle focused on the sectors reshaping global power dynamics.
If you're still thinking in sectors, you're missing the signal. Now is the time to allocate to convergence—and we believe America 2030 is the most efficient way to do it.
If you’ve already spoken to us, we’d welcome the chance to revisit the allocation mechanics or share new pipeline insights. If you haven’t yet, this is the right moment to start the conversation.
Disclaimer
Private companies carry inherent risks and may not be suitable for all investors. The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Always conduct thorough research and seek professional financial guidance before making investment decisions.
