The era of easy capital and purely digital disruption is closing. In its place, we are witnessing the rise of a new asset class defined not by viral growth, but by critical necessity: Deep tech. As global markets face heightened volatility, supply chain fragmentation, and geopolitical friction, the investment thesis for 2026 and beyond is shifting toward resilience. We are no longer just funding software that optimises existing behaviours; we are funding the physical infrastructure that will secure the future of the global economy.
For institutional investors, this represents a fundamental pivot. The last decade was defined by “growth at all costs.” The next decade will be defined by “resilience at any price.” Deep tech—specifically the convergence of space infrastructure, advanced energy, and industrial robotics—is no longer a speculative frontier. It is the defensive backbone of the modern state and the offensive engine of future industrial productivity.
Space: The invisible infrastructure
Space technology has graduated from scientific curiosity to critical utility. It is a mistake to view space as vertical; it is a horizontal enabler, an “invisible infrastructure” akin to the internet or GPS, upon which terrestrial industries now depend. We are seeing a shift from launch-focused investments to orbital utility.
The most valuable opportunities lie in “Earth-first” applications. Sovereign nations and multinational corporations are demanding independent satellite constellations for secure communications, climate monitoring, and resource management. We are moving toward a real-time, sensor-rich planetary interface. Investors who recognise space assets as the ultimate high-ground real estate—delivering proprietary data and connectivity to agriculture, logistics, and defence—will capture returns that are uncorrelated with traditional consumer market cycles.
Energy security as an asset class
Energy access is now a critical issue of national security. The fragility of global energy grids has exposed a desperate need for decentralised, high-density power sources. This drives our conviction in next-generation nuclear capabilities, such as micro-reactors and radioisotope power systems, alongside breakthroughs in hydrogen and fusion.
The winners in this sector will not just be those who generate power, but those who solve the “storage and mobility” paradox. We are investing in technologies that decouple energy availability from geography. Whether powering a remote data centre for AI training or a lunar outpost, the physics are the same. By backing companies that miniaturise and ruggedise energy systems, we are effectively buying options on industrial continuity in an unstable world.
The era of physical intelligence
While Large Language Models (LLMs) have dominated headlines, the true productivity revolution awaits the arrival of “Physical AI”—intelligence embodied in robotics. The industrial base is suffering from a chronic labour shortage that demographic trends will only worsen. Software cannot change the physical world; robots can.
We are witnessing the transition from rigid automation to adaptive autonomy. Robots are acquiring the ability to perceive, reason, and act in unstructured environments. This is the bridge between the digital brain and the physical hand. For investors, the alpha lies in “vertical robotics”—machines purpose-built for specific, high-value workflows in manufacturing, mining, and construction. This is not about replacing humans; it is about re-industrialising economies with higher margins and anti-fragility.
Deep tech is for those who understand compounding and harbour those who seek generational impact, challenging the investor mindset. It requires an investor mindset that balances the rigours of physics with the realities of finance. As we look toward 2026, the question for Limited Partners is not “is it too risky?” but rather “can we afford to be excluded from the infrastructure that will run the world?” At Beyond Earth Ventures, we believe the future belongs to the builders.