We’re falling behind our adversaries in critical areas: solar panels, rare earths, and drones. Will you be the founder who puts us back on top?
This morning, I want to put the word out on some critical areas where I’m looking for startups. All three share a theme: America’s independence and security.
If you’re building in any of these areas, let me know…
American-Made Solar
Solar panels can help make us energy independent. But like so many other things, the components all come from China.
To make a solar panel, you need photovoltaic cells. 97% of these are made in China.
America needs to make our own cells. We also need to make wafers, polysilicon, and other components.
I’m looking for vertically integrated solar panel manufacturers here in America. Such a company would probably make heavy use of robots to keep costs down.
Refining Rare Earths, on Autopilot
We need rare earth minerals to make solar panels, semiconductors, and many other electronics. But just like solar panel components, China has a lock on the market.
China produces 70% of the world’s rare earths. China doesn’t have a monopoly on rare earth deposits. They’re found all over the world, including the United States.
But China does have a near monopoly in rare earth refining. This is a dirty process that’s required to turn the ore into minerals.
America needs to refine rare earths on a massive scale. I’d like to see new, cleaner refining methods. This could help with NIMBY opposition.
One exciting possibility is using proteins to isolate rare earths from ore. Researchers at Penn State pioneeered this much cleaner process.
I also want to see robots for rare earth mining and refining. This would help with costs and safety.
Drones with Wires — A New Weapon
Most drones communicate via radio signals. To defend against drones, we often block those signals.
But Russia has developed drones that go right through these defenses.
These new drones are controlled by wires. The wires can stretch up to 20 miles.
These drones are devastating Ukraine. The US doesn’t appear to have anything comparable.
I want to meet startups working on wire-controlled drones. These could help us bust through enemy defenses.
Wrap-Up
I’ve lived in this country all my life. It’s very important to me that America be secure and independent.
Right now, we are falling behind our adversaries in critical areas.
China vastly outproduces us in solar panel components and rare earths. Russia has developed new drone technologies we don’t have.
The best way to solve these problems isn’t some big, slow Megacorp. It’s a couple of guys in a garage, working like maniacs.
If you’re one of those guys (or gals), I need to hear from you.
More on tech:
Meet My Latest Investment: Cryopets
Request for Startups: American Drugs, Litterbots and Robochefs!
Why Giving 5% Equity to an Advisor is Insane
Save Money on Stuff I Use:
This platform lets me diversify my real estate investments so I’m not too exposed to any one market. I’ve invested since 2018 with great returns.
More on Fundrise in this post.
If you decide to invest in Fundrise, you can use this link to get $100 in free bonus shares!
I’ve used Misfits for years, and it never disappoints! Every fruit and vegetable is organic, super fresh, and packed with flavor!
I wrote a detailed review of Misfits here.
Use this link to sign up and you’ll save $15 on your first order.
I used this app every single day to dictate to my computer, I’m even dictating this text using Wispr Flow! It’s way better than Apple’s native dictation.
My productivity is up about 25% since I started dictating rather than typing. I’m also less tired and stressed.
Get a free month of Wispr Flow Pro here!
Tremendous 