Venture Capital for Gun Companies? (ft. Open Source Defense)
Host Stephen Gutowski and guests Kareem Shaya and Chuck R. discuss Open Source Defense's new venture capital firm aimed at gun businesses.
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Show Notes
This week, we're taking a look at a new approach to gun business investing.
Kareem Shaya and Chuck R. from Open Source Defense have launched a new venture capital firm focused on the gun industry. They joined the show to explain why they decided to take the traditionally tech-focused approach and apply it to self-defense companies.
The pair, who've worked at major tech companies and startups over the years, said they noticed a lack of interest in firearms firms over the years. They argued the sector is underdeveloped and ripe for new technological advancements.
That's why they believe there are real opportunities for investment despite the relatively small size of the gun industry and the headwinds gun businesses are currently facing going into 2025. They admitted they aren't positive if what they're doing will succeed, especially given the investment multiples they occasionally need to hit for the venture model to work. But they've already started to put their money where their mouth is with a few early investments.