Big news coming out of Arizona this week about Hadrian’s latest funding round led by Founders Fund, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
Not because of the raise, though that’s impressive. (as is the CEO's comments about capital efficiency and still have the Series B money in the bank!) But what really hit me is because of the why behind it.
Chris Power, Hadrian’s founder, made a statement in the video that’s still sitting with me. He said:
“This is a National Security issue, there isn’t another America to try this in again.”
That hit me hard. Maybe because I’m a mom to two young boys, ages six and eight. Maybe because I’ve spent the last decade building community and startups and trying to understand how innovation, infrastructure, and identity all intersect. Or maybe because I used to work in the moving & relocation industry in Washington DC, managing accounts like the Secret Service, FBI, and ATF. I’ve always had a deep respect for the people working behind the scenes on things that matter. This brought me right back.
What struck me most was the duality we’re living in right now.
On one hand, we’re seeing jobs eliminated left and right because of AI and automation. The narrative is all around efficiency and cost savings. But at the same time, there’s a powerful resurgence. This urgent call to rebuild our physical infrastructure, create real jobs in real places, and reindustrialize America with vision and values at the center.
And I’ll admit, I hadn’t been thinking deeply about advanced manufacturing until this moment. But hearing Chris’s words and watching the interview woke something up in me. It made me pause and consider what it means to reinvest in our factories, our skilled workers, and our national capabilities. Not from a policy lens or even a capital one, but from a human one.
Because here’s the thing. Most of us were told a familiar story. Our parents or grandparents worked blue collar jobs so we could go to college, move to cities, and do something more “professional.” But what if we’ve misunderstood that tradeoff? What if we’ve overlooked the pride, power, and purpose in building things with our hands and with software?
"I don't think the country has realized what advanced manufacturing can look like as a cool job. We have to reinvigorate the culture about skilled trades."
Chris speaks about creating software powered factories where people feel respected, challenged, and part of something bigger than themselves. Where the jobs are not just good, they are meaningful. Where we don’t fear AI, we use it to accelerate our capacity. And where manufacturing jobs are no longer stuck in the past. They are the key to our future.
It made me think about what this means for Arizona.
Our state is quietly becoming a powerhouse for dual use tech, defense innovation, and workforce transformation. I’m so grateful for groups like SWMac Accelerator and other community builders who are helping founders build at the intersection of national security and economic reinvention. They’ve been in the trenches long before this moment of public spotlight. And now, the rest of the country is catching up.
This awakening is shaping the direction of our next Tech Talent Summit. We’re dedicating a major portion of the event to this conversation. Advanced manufacturing, AI in physical infrastructure, workforce development, and America’s national mission. Because this is no longer a niche topic. It’s the heart of where opportunity is heading.
And I’ll be real. I am not an expert in this space. But I care deeply. I’m learning in public. I want to listen to the people who’ve been working on this for years. I want to help build a bridge for the next generation, especially for the kids growing up in communities like ours who may not even know these jobs exist. I want my sons to grow up knowing there is dignity in every kind of work and that America still builds things.
If you’re working in this space or exploring it, I’d love to learn from you. What should we be paying attention to? What are we not talking about enough?
Because this is a moment. A rare one. And we only get one America. Lets build like it.
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