How to Build the Next SpaceX or Tesla

America’s defense, energy, manufacturing, and robotics booms are increasingly becoming one story: the rebuilding of the country’s industrial base. This year’s AD50 highlights the companies building across that stack, from critical materials and factories to the systems they ultimately power. a16z’s Erin Price-Wright and Connor Love join Elena Burger to unpack what has changed. They discuss how defense demand can help finance manufacturing capacity that ultimately serves much larger commercial markets, why AI is changing the economics of American factories, and how a new generation of founders is applying lessons from SpaceX, Tesla, Anduril, and Palantir to mining, energy, manufacturing, and defense. They also make the case that these companies are no longer simply important to America. With private capital increasingly willing to fund physical infrastructure and production before government demand is guaranteed, they can become some of the most valuable companies in the world. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:49 No Defense Base Without an Industrial Base 5:09 How DJI Went From Drones to Robots 8:38 The Elon Playbook: Vertical Integration 10:16 Mariana Minerals Bought a Copper Mine 13:32 Why AI Still Can't Turn a Wrench 17:46 Building It Before the Government Asks 22:07 When Hardware Became the Most Valuable Game 24:47 Steel-Toed Boots and Giant American Flags 28:39 How Defense Unlocks the Robot Wave 32:05 The Rise of the Manufacturing Middle 37:43 Spinning Out of Anduril and SpaceX 41:16 America's Real Edge: Its Capital Markets 44:23 The US vs China Power Chart Resources: Explore the AD50 : https://www.a16z.news/p/ad-50-2026-production-is-deterrence Follow Erin Price-Wright: https://x.com/espricewright Follow Connor Love on X: https://x.com/ConnorLoveCA Follow Elena Burger on X: https://x.com/VirtualElena Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.