David Jeans
@davidjeans.bsky.social
Reporter @Reuters.com covering defense and space.
Co-author of WONDER BOY: http://shorturl.at/bjKMS
david.jeans@thomsonreuters.com
Co-author of WONDER BOY: http://shorturl.at/bjKMS
david.jeans@thomsonreuters.com
NEW-
DOGE is leading a new effort at the Pentagon to acquire tens of thousands of cheap military drones within the coming months.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
DOGE is leading a new effort at the Pentagon to acquire tens of thousands of cheap military drones within the coming months.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:29 AM
NEW-
DOGE is leading a new effort at the Pentagon to acquire tens of thousands of cheap military drones within the coming months.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
DOGE is leading a new effort at the Pentagon to acquire tens of thousands of cheap military drones within the coming months.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
New: Steve Simoni sold a company to DoorDash for $125M in 2022.
Now he's building Allen Control Systems, which makes an AI-powered autonomous machine gun turret called the "Bullfrog" to shoot drones out of the sky.
"The future is Skynet, basically."
www.reuters.com/technology/h...
Now he's building Allen Control Systems, which makes an AI-powered autonomous machine gun turret called the "Bullfrog" to shoot drones out of the sky.
"The future is Skynet, basically."
www.reuters.com/technology/h...
How a Silicon Valley 'warlord' got the Pentagon’s attention
Steve Simoni was a Silicon Valley success story who sold a company to DoorDash. Now he sells an AI-powered weapon to shoot drones out of the sky.
www.reuters.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:52 PM
New: Steve Simoni sold a company to DoorDash for $125M in 2022.
Now he's building Allen Control Systems, which makes an AI-powered autonomous machine gun turret called the "Bullfrog" to shoot drones out of the sky.
"The future is Skynet, basically."
www.reuters.com/technology/h...
Now he's building Allen Control Systems, which makes an AI-powered autonomous machine gun turret called the "Bullfrog" to shoot drones out of the sky.
"The future is Skynet, basically."
www.reuters.com/technology/h...
For anyone who cares about China, national security and tech... this book by my incredible friend @ebakerwhite.bsky.social is a must read.
My TikTok book is out in stores today!
Why should you read it? Because 1 in 5 Americans now get their news from this thing. We should all understand how it works.
It was inevitable that strongmen would seek to control a tool this powerful. The book is the story of what happened when they did.
Why should you read it? Because 1 in 5 Americans now get their news from this thing. We should all understand how it works.
It was inevitable that strongmen would seek to control a tool this powerful. The book is the story of what happened when they did.
The rise of the most effective attention-algorithm ever invented, and the superpower struggle to control it.
EVERY SCREEN ON THE PLANET: THE WAR OVER TIKTOK by Emily Baker-White.
In Stores 9.30.25.
wwnorton.com/books/every-...
EVERY SCREEN ON THE PLANET: THE WAR OVER TIKTOK by Emily Baker-White.
In Stores 9.30.25.
wwnorton.com/books/every-...
September 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
For anyone who cares about China, national security and tech... this book by my incredible friend @ebakerwhite.bsky.social is a must read.
Reposted by David Jeans
Intel has been touting partnerships with sanctioned Chinese surveillance firms as Trump announces that the USG is taking a stake in the company:
www.forbes.com/sites/emilyb...
www.forbes.com/sites/emilyb...
Intel Worked With Chinese Firms Sanctioned For Enabling Human Rights Abuses
As the U.S. government takes a 10% stake in Intel, Forbes has learned the tech company partnered with sanctioned Chinese surveillance firms Uniview, Hikvision and Cloudwalk.
www.forbes.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Intel has been touting partnerships with sanctioned Chinese surveillance firms as Trump announces that the USG is taking a stake in the company:
www.forbes.com/sites/emilyb...
www.forbes.com/sites/emilyb...
Reposted by David Jeans
Scoop: Meta has held talks with Midjourney about a partnership including a potential acquisition, among several previously-unreported AI video startups it's met recently, sources tell me at @upstarts.bsky.social.
Midjourney's been busy, too, pitching an API.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/meta-talks...
Midjourney's been busy, too, pitching an API.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/meta-talks...
Scoop: Meta Held Talks With Midjourney As Part Of Video AI Talent Search
Meta has talked deals with Midjourney and video AI startups including HeyGen and Krea as part of its researcher talent hunt, sources tell Upstarts, while Midjourney has pursued other partnerships.
www.upstartsmedia.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Scoop: Meta has held talks with Midjourney about a partnership including a potential acquisition, among several previously-unreported AI video startups it's met recently, sources tell me at @upstarts.bsky.social.
Midjourney's been busy, too, pitching an API.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/meta-talks...
Midjourney's been busy, too, pitching an API.
www.upstartsmedia.com/p/meta-talks...
Exclusive: Military leaders have said they need autonomous swarms of maritime drones to take on China.
But the Navy's effort to achieve this is under scrutiny following test failures, the firing of a top admiral and a pause on a contract with L3Harris.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
But the Navy's effort to achieve this is under scrutiny following test failures, the firing of a top admiral and a pause on a contract with L3Harris.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Exclusive: The US Navy is building a drone fleet to take on China. It's not going well.
During a U.S. naval test off the California coast last month, which was designed to showcase the Pentagon’s top autonomous drone boats, one vessel stalled unexpectedly.
www.reuters.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Exclusive: Military leaders have said they need autonomous swarms of maritime drones to take on China.
But the Navy's effort to achieve this is under scrutiny following test failures, the firing of a top admiral and a pause on a contract with L3Harris.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
But the Navy's effort to achieve this is under scrutiny following test failures, the firing of a top admiral and a pause on a contract with L3Harris.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
I have a new job!
send me tips / say hi: david.jeans@thomsonreuters.com
send me tips / say hi: david.jeans@thomsonreuters.com
@davidjeans.bsky.social hired by @Reuters to cover space and defense: talkingbiznews.com/media-news/r...
Reuters hires Jeans to cover space and defense - Talking Biz News
Reuters has hired David Jeans to be its space and defense correspondent. Jeans was a senior writer at Forbes, where he covered tech. He is also co-author of the book, “WONDER BOY: Tony Hsieh, Zappos, ...
talkingbiznews.com
July 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I have a new job!
send me tips / say hi: david.jeans@thomsonreuters.com
send me tips / say hi: david.jeans@thomsonreuters.com
Reposted by David Jeans
@davidjeans.bsky.social hired by @Reuters to cover space and defense: talkingbiznews.com/media-news/r...
Reuters hires Jeans to cover space and defense - Talking Biz News
Reuters has hired David Jeans to be its space and defense correspondent. Jeans was a senior writer at Forbes, where he covered tech. He is also co-author of the book, “WONDER BOY: Tony Hsieh, Zappos, ...
talkingbiznews.com
July 21, 2025 at 4:45 PM
@davidjeans.bsky.social hired by @Reuters to cover space and defense: talkingbiznews.com/media-news/r...
New- Will Somerindyke supplied munitions to warzones for years.
Now with investor BVVC, he's joined the defense tech boom, and is in talks to raise "hundreds of millions" for Union, a startup making artillery shells.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Now with investor BVVC, he's joined the defense tech boom, and is in talks to raise "hundreds of millions" for Union, a startup making artillery shells.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Meet Silicon Valley’s Arms Dealer Will Somerindyke
Will Somerindyke founded Regulus Global a decade ago. Now, he’s raising hundreds of millions for ammunitions startup Union — and Regulus is the first customer.
www.forbes.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
New- Will Somerindyke supplied munitions to warzones for years.
Now with investor BVVC, he's joined the defense tech boom, and is in talks to raise "hundreds of millions" for Union, a startup making artillery shells.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Now with investor BVVC, he's joined the defense tech boom, and is in talks to raise "hundreds of millions" for Union, a startup making artillery shells.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Reposted by David Jeans
In Oct. 2024, this very same Open AI exec, Katrina Mulligan, boasted on LinkedIn about going to a Taylor Swift concert with the Secretary of the Army.
@davidjeans.bsky.social and I wrote about it for @forbes.com
@davidjeans.bsky.social and I wrote about it for @forbes.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:22 AM
In Oct. 2024, this very same Open AI exec, Katrina Mulligan, boasted on LinkedIn about going to a Taylor Swift concert with the Secretary of the Army.
@davidjeans.bsky.social and I wrote about it for @forbes.com
@davidjeans.bsky.social and I wrote about it for @forbes.com
New: Last week, Anduril's mega $30B funding round underscored how hungry investors are for military startups.
It also minted a new defense tech billionaire: Trae Stephens.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
It also minted a new defense tech billionaire: Trae Stephens.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Anduril Cofounder Trae Stephens Is Now A Billionaire
The recent funding round led by Founders Fund valued the hot military startup at $30 billion – and made its chairman Trae Stephens the latest defense tech billionaire.
www.forbes.com
June 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
New: Last week, Anduril's mega $30B funding round underscored how hungry investors are for military startups.
It also minted a new defense tech billionaire: Trae Stephens.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
It also minted a new defense tech billionaire: Trae Stephens.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Reposted by David Jeans
New York friends! I’ll be in Greenwich Village next Tuesday evening for this lovely event — come through and say hi :)
www.nyfwa.org/nyfwa-event/...
www.nyfwa.org/nyfwa-event/...
Impact Award Discussion/Uncovering TikTok’s Impact – New York Financial Writers Association
Emily Baker-White, recipient of the NYFWA’s 2024 Impact Award for Distinguished Financial Journalism, will discuss how she broke one of the biggest tech stories
www.nyfwa.org
June 3, 2025 at 3:36 PM
New York friends! I’ll be in Greenwich Village next Tuesday evening for this lovely event — come through and say hi :)
www.nyfwa.org/nyfwa-event/...
www.nyfwa.org/nyfwa-event/...
Reposted by David Jeans
For this year’s Midas List, we profiled Hemant Taneja and General Catalyst, which has been stretching the scope of its VC firm so far that it’s buying a hospital and cofounding AI companies. With @iainmartin.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
This Top VC Wants To Use Main Street America As An AI Lab
Investors are always encouraging startups to push the innovation envelope. General Catalyst’s Hemant Taneja is applying that advice to his own firm.
www.forbes.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
For this year’s Midas List, we profiled Hemant Taneja and General Catalyst, which has been stretching the scope of its VC firm so far that it’s buying a hospital and cofounding AI companies. With @iainmartin.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
NEW: Shield AI is one of defense tech’s most hyped startups, largely thanks to its V-BAT drone.
But last year, a grisly injury involving a U.S. service member threw the $5 billion company off course.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
But last year, a grisly injury involving a U.S. service member threw the $5 billion company off course.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
How A Grisly Injury Threw $5 Billion Drone Startup Shield AI Off Course
Shield AI executives overlooked its V-BAT drone’s safety hazards. With sales falling short and the CEO stepping down, the company is trying to win back military customers.
www.forbes.com
May 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
NEW: Shield AI is one of defense tech’s most hyped startups, largely thanks to its V-BAT drone.
But last year, a grisly injury involving a U.S. service member threw the $5 billion company off course.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
But last year, a grisly injury involving a U.S. service member threw the $5 billion company off course.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Reposted by David Jeans
“Meta is seeing every other big tech firm and reading the tea leaves, seeing that maybe the expected windfall from civilian use of AI is not going to appear,” said Shana Marshall from George Washington University. Great story by @davidjeans.bsky.social.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Meta’s Military Ambitions Take Shape Under Trump Administration
Meta is recruiting former national security officials, months after opening up its Llama AI model for military use.
www.forbes.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
“Meta is seeing every other big tech firm and reading the tea leaves, seeing that maybe the expected windfall from civilian use of AI is not going to appear,” said Shana Marshall from George Washington University. Great story by @davidjeans.bsky.social.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
New: Meta is recruiting former national security officials to bolster its military ambitions, months after allowing its Llama AI model to be used for military use.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Meta’s Military Ambitions Take Shape Under Trump Administration
Meta is recruiting former national security officials, months after opening up its Llama AI model for military use.
www.forbes.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
New: Meta is recruiting former national security officials to bolster its military ambitions, months after allowing its Llama AI model to be used for military use.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
New- Pentagon leaders are calling for thousands of drones to face China.
But they face an uncomfortable reality: Silicon Valley drone companies rely on Chinese components.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
But they face an uncomfortable reality: Silicon Valley drone companies rely on Chinese components.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Silicon Valley’s Military Drone Companies Have A Serious Chinese Parts Problem
As Pentagon leaders call for thousands of drones to face China, they are grappling with an uncomfortable reality: Silicon Valley is addicted to Chinese drone components.
www.forbes.com
April 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
New- Pentagon leaders are calling for thousands of drones to face China.
But they face an uncomfortable reality: Silicon Valley drone companies rely on Chinese components.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
But they face an uncomfortable reality: Silicon Valley drone companies rely on Chinese components.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Reposted by David Jeans
Looks like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's $1 million investment to hang with Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend paid off--
"Trump administration backs off Nvidia's 'H20' chip crackdown after Mar-a-Lago dinner"
www.npr.org/2025/04/09/n...
"Trump administration backs off Nvidia's 'H20' chip crackdown after Mar-a-Lago dinner"
www.npr.org/2025/04/09/n...
April 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Looks like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's $1 million investment to hang with Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend paid off--
"Trump administration backs off Nvidia's 'H20' chip crackdown after Mar-a-Lago dinner"
www.npr.org/2025/04/09/n...
"Trump administration backs off Nvidia's 'H20' chip crackdown after Mar-a-Lago dinner"
www.npr.org/2025/04/09/n...
New: Hoan Ton-That, the co-founder and former CEO of Clearview AI, has been removed from the controversial facial recognition company's board.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Clearview AI’s Founder Removed From Facial Recognition Company’s Board
Ton-That had stepped down as CEO and became president in December due to the company’s struggles to secure major federal government contracts and raise funding.
www.forbes.com
April 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
New: Hoan Ton-That, the co-founder and former CEO of Clearview AI, has been removed from the controversial facial recognition company's board.
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Reposted by David Jeans
Palantir sues Y Combinator startup Guardian AI over alleged trade secret theft. My latest for @forbes.com www.forbes.com/sites/amyfel...
Palantir Sues Y Combinator Startup Guardian AI Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft
Former Palantir employees Mayank Jain and Pranav Pillai started Guardian AI to help healthcare providers fight insurance claim denials. Now their former employer is suing them for allegedly stealing t...
www.forbes.com
April 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Palantir sues Y Combinator startup Guardian AI over alleged trade secret theft. My latest for @forbes.com www.forbes.com/sites/amyfel...
Subscribed and you should too. Can't wait to see where
@alexrkonrad takes this. Will be a must read for those following startup land.
@alexrkonrad takes this. Will be a must read for those following startup land.
I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new tech media brand, Upstarts Media 🎉
Upstarts will focus on the startup ecosystem, from inception through IPO 📈
We launch a twice-weekly Upstarts newsletter next week. Video, podcast, and events to follow!
Read more: open.substack.com/pub/upstarts...
Upstarts will focus on the startup ecosystem, from inception through IPO 📈
We launch a twice-weekly Upstarts newsletter next week. Video, podcast, and events to follow!
Read more: open.substack.com/pub/upstarts...
March 25, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Subscribed and you should too. Can't wait to see where
@alexrkonrad takes this. Will be a must read for those following startup land.
@alexrkonrad takes this. Will be a must read for those following startup land.
Reposted by David Jeans
New: "Trump’s Liquor Licenses Under Scrutiny After N.Y. Conviction—But New Jersey Keeps Pushing Back Decision"
me, for @forbes.com
me, for @forbes.com
Trump’s Liquor Licenses Under Scrutiny After N.Y. Conviction—But New Jersey Keeps Pushing Back Decision
New Jersey officials have yet to rule on whether Trump’s felony convictions disqualify his golf clubs from holding liquor licenses.
www.forbes.com
March 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New: "Trump’s Liquor Licenses Under Scrutiny After N.Y. Conviction—But New Jersey Keeps Pushing Back Decision"
me, for @forbes.com
me, for @forbes.com
Reposted by David Jeans
🚨NEW🚨 The feds recently seized over $60m linked to a Silk Road drug dealer, as well as a load of gold.
After Ross Ulbricht's pardon, it's clear the DOJ is still hunting drug dealers who used his dark web site, and their riches.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
After Ross Ulbricht's pardon, it's clear the DOJ is still hunting drug dealers who used his dark web site, and their riches.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
The Wiretap: A $60 Million Bitcoin Seizure Shows Cops Are Still Chasing Down Silk Road Dealers
Silk Road drug dealers have been sitting on millions in crypto for years.
www.forbes.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
🚨NEW🚨 The feds recently seized over $60m linked to a Silk Road drug dealer, as well as a load of gold.
After Ross Ulbricht's pardon, it's clear the DOJ is still hunting drug dealers who used his dark web site, and their riches.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
After Ross Ulbricht's pardon, it's clear the DOJ is still hunting drug dealers who used his dark web site, and their riches.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
New: Among those leading Elon Musk's DOGE effort at the Pentagon is Justin Fulcher, a telehealth startup founder with a degree in terrorism studies.
Like other DOGE employees, he's got impressive tech chops. But other parts of his story don't add up. www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Like other DOGE employees, he's got impressive tech chops. But other parts of his story don't add up. www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
A Top Pentagon DOGE Official’s Success Story Doesn’t Always Add Up
Justin Fulcher ran a telehealth startup that went bankrupt and appears to have overstated his credentials. He’s among those leading Elon Musk's DOGE effort at the Pentagon.
www.forbes.com
March 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
New: Among those leading Elon Musk's DOGE effort at the Pentagon is Justin Fulcher, a telehealth startup founder with a degree in terrorism studies.
Like other DOGE employees, he's got impressive tech chops. But other parts of his story don't add up. www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Like other DOGE employees, he's got impressive tech chops. But other parts of his story don't add up. www.forbes.com/sites/davidj...
Reposted by David Jeans
Lucy Guo’s first startup hit, AI unicorn Scale, made her one of America’s richest women.
Her second startup, Passes, promised to rip up Patreon and Fanfix's script on the creator economy.
Working with underage creators threatened to blow it all up.
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
Her second startup, Passes, promised to rip up Patreon and Fanfix's script on the creator economy.
Working with underage creators threatened to blow it all up.
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
How Underage Creators Threatened Lucy Guo’s OnlyFans Rival Passes
The Scale AI cofounder’s second startup Passes banned creators under 18 ahead of being sued for allegedly hosting child sexual abuse material, which Guo has denied.
www.forbes.com
March 3, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Lucy Guo’s first startup hit, AI unicorn Scale, made her one of America’s richest women.
Her second startup, Passes, promised to rip up Patreon and Fanfix's script on the creator economy.
Working with underage creators threatened to blow it all up.
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
Her second startup, Passes, promised to rip up Patreon and Fanfix's script on the creator economy.
Working with underage creators threatened to blow it all up.
www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...