Eric Slesinger / 201 Ventures

Eric Slesinger is the Founder and General Partner of 201 Ventures, a fund investing in defense, cybersecurity, and national security-driven technologies.

Eric's background is rare. He started as a mechanical engineer, worked at the CIA, then became an investor at In-Q-Tel, the U.S. intelligence community's venture capital arm. That experience shaped how he invests now.

At 201 Ventures, Eric takes a concentrated approach. Fewer bets, deeper investments. "When we make a bet, we go all in. We're not trying to diversify for the sake of it, but instead invest deeply in companies that align with our mission of driving strategic, meaningful impact."

Our conversation gets into "greyzone warfare," the concept that shapes Eric's entire investment philosophy. Greyzone warfare refers to the tactical conflict that exists between outright war and peace. It's murky, and technology plays a critical role. "The greyzone is where the next big shifts in technology will come from. Our investments are about recognizing those shifts early."

One major milestone: 201 Ventures is the first fund to have the NATO Innovation Fund as an institutional investor. "Having NATO as a partner is one of the highest forms of validation we could have received. It's about more than just capital. It's a recognition that our work is essential to the future of global security."

What struck us about Eric was his humility. Despite the impressive track record and high-profile backing, he remains grounded. His focus isn't on flashy exits or chasing trends. It's about solving real-world problems that shape global security.

Eric's ideal founder? "A PhD that can win a bar fight." Relentless, scrappy determination. The kind of person who will find a way through any challenge.

Full episode below, or on Spotify / Apple Podcasts