Startups, Tariffs & £400M Defence Firepower

Amid economic chaos, startups rise — and £400M in defence funding is about to fuel them.

Author

Alex Leigh
April 17, 2025

The only newsletter trusted to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and investors.

👋 Welcome

Dear Reader,

After 15+ years building, investing in, and turning around companies—from scrappy founding teams to global VCs—I’ve learned what actually moves the needle.

This newsletter is my promise to share the real stuff: sharp takes, practical tools, and battle-tested insights that help you scale, invest smarter, and stay ahead.

Let’s get to it.

Alex

🔦 Weekly Spotlight

For Founders:

The startup economy is the economy. As global uncertainty rises, your value rises with it. This is your moment—build something that matters.

For VCs:

£400M in UK defence capital is about to enter the chat. Timing matters. Position now, or pay inflated prices later.

💼 VC Perspective

£400M for UK Defence Innovation Is Coming – Are You Ready?

It’s official. Launching July 2025 under the National Armaments Director, a new MOD-backed division—UK Defence Innovation (UKDI)—is landing with serious firepower.

No clarity yet on instruments (grants, equity, debt?), but expect fast moves.

💰 VCs: Get in early—valuation curves will bend quickly.
🧠 New founders: Defence is calling. This is your starting gun.
🥷 Deeptech builders: You’ve been prepping. It’s go time.

Appreciate the mention in Tech Funding News – we’re seeing momentum: new structures, more capital, and a clear direction for founders solving big problems.

Big thanks to Jessica Ratty for the press - LinkedIn post here!

@thetippytopblog

£400M for UK Defence Innovation Is Coming – Are You Ready? It’s hitting the market July 2025. A new division of the MOD is being launched:... See more

—

In Startups We Trust.

Ray Dalio says the global financial system is on the brink. Tariffs. Debt. Fragility everywhere.

But what thrives in chaos?

Startups.

They:

1. Drive real value
2. Create jobs
3. Shape the future

So yeah, this meme might be tongue-in-cheek... but the message? Deadly serious.

We all need protect startups like our lives depend on them—because they do.

💡 Entrepreneur Corner

Busy ≠ Effective.

Nelson Mandela once said:

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front.”

Too many founders confuse movement with progress.

Real leadership is about:

  • Empowering others

  • Letting go of control

  • Building systems that scale beyond you

Stop being busy.
Start being impactful.

—

Sourcing is Broken. That’s Being Fixed!

Spoke with Benjamin Storey from Barclays Eagle Labs about sourcing, discovery, and the gap between founders and funders.

🧠 Enter: The Barclays Demo Directory. A smarter way to connect.
For VCs:

  • 🎯 Targeted sourcing > inbox chaos

  • 💡 No data scientist? No problem.

  • 🛠 Better tools = better deals

For Founders:

  • 🚀 Your deck. In front of investors. Fast.

  • 💸 Free. And it works.

📺 Watch the full convo
Big thanks to Benjamin Storey and Mark Walker for pushing this forward.

The Job Market Just Flashed Red — Are You Protected?

The UK just recorded the biggest drop in payrolled workers since the pandemic — down 78,000 in a single month. That’s before April’s tax hikes and wage rises even kicked in.

At the same time:

  • 🇺🇸 Trump’s 145% tariff hike on Chinese goods rattled markets

  • 📉 The S&P 500 took a hit (before recovering slightly)

  • ❄️ Hiring freezes are sweeping across sectors

  • 💬 Recruiters are already seeing pulled roles and panic

And if history’s a guide?
In 2008, unemployment hit 7.9%.
Today, it’s at 4.4% — but rising.

So here’s the question:
If your income stopped tomorrow, what would you do?

Most people insure their phone. Their car. Their house.
But not their income — the one thing that pays for everything else.

🛡 Income Protection Insurance can cover a chunk of your salary if you’re out of work due to illness or redundancy.
It’s not a luxury. It’s your financial seatbelt.

Don’t wait until the crash.
Look into it now.

Thank me later.

❓ Ask Alex

“Where do you find the time to do everything?”

Here’s the truth:

👉 If it’s not a HELL YES — it’s a no.

Early in my VC journey, I said yes to everything. The result? Burnout and low impact.

Now? I only say yes to things that:

  • Energise me

  • Align with my mission

  • Move the dial

The result?

1. More focus
2. More energy
3. Way better outcomes

Check out this quick cartoon + video I made with ChatGPT (yes, that’s meant to be me 😅)

Try it. Let me know if it changes your week.

📆 Upcoming Events

🔬 Commercialising Quantum Global 2025
📅 May 13–14 | London
Hosted by Economist Impact

I’ll be speaking alongside leaders from NATO, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, and the UN on how quantum and AI are crossing the chasm into scalable products.

If you’re building or backing quantum innovation, don’t miss this one.

🎟 Register here
💸 Use code QUANTUM20 for 20% off

See you there.

🧭 Closing Thoughts

Thanks for reading and being part of this journey.

In uncertain times, we bet on builders.
We back startups.
We bridge the gap.

Here’s to reaching the Tippy Top—together.

Best,
Alex

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