E501 | Matthew Spence, Barclays: Why Defense Tech Is Back, IPOs Are “Sneaky Good” & The Return to Deep Tech

In this episode, David Cruz Silva sits down with Matthew Spence, Barclays’ Global Head of Venture Capital Banking, to talk about the state of exits, dual-use tech, and how Europe can seize the next defense innovation wave. With a background spanning the White House, Pentagon and a16z, Matt shares a unique view from the intersection of global power, technology, and venture.Who should listen:GPs working with later-stage companies or exit-readinessLPs and allocators curious about dual-use and defense opportunitiesPolicymakers and ecosystem builders across EuropeAnyone wondering how venture intersects with geopoliticsHere’s what’s covered:00:00 Meet Matt Spence & why Barclays is doubling down on venture01:00 SuperVenture 2025: Why Berlin matters to a Silicon Valley banker01:39 “Sneaky good”: The IPO market is back—but not how you expect03:00 How GPs can prep for exits—before they’re even on the table04:00 Barclays as an LP: What their private bank is looking for05:10 Defense tech: From bombs to AI & cloud for the battlefield07:00 “The government is a terrible customer”—but that’s changing08:30 Dual-use: Why it’s not code for defense and shouldn’t be10:00 The real opportunity for Europe: leapfrog, don’t lag12:30 A wake-up call for Brussels and national leaders15:00 The return to deep tech: hardware + software, redux16:45 Why this isn't just a new trend—it's a venture returning to its roots