Azcende

Azcende is a venture capital firm that seeks to advance humanity through a "Future of Cities" mandate, focusing on national security.

[Azcende @azcende]

Azcende Dialogue Episode 6 - “Innovation in the Defence Industrial Base” 👇

[Lani Refiti @LaniRefiti]

Had a great time recording this with @alokdocpatel. If you're interested in geopolitics, national security tech and investment, this is the podcast for you.

We're going to be recording The @azcende Dialogue" few times a month and looking for guests along with another co-host.

Listen and give us some feedback..positive or negative doesn't matter, it's all about engaging in something that is going grow in importance to Australia.

[Azcende @azcende]

The DDA begins phase one of its rollout on 1 July 2026 with the merger of the CASG, the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group (GWEO) and the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group (NSSG)

https://t.co/ESUYV20ftX

[Azcende @azcende]

"In China, venture capital and private equity investments in the first five months of this year totalled 620 billion yuan, jumping nearly 60 per cent from a year earlier, according to ChinaVenture Investment Consulting"

https://t.co/sF945vWxov

[Azcende @azcende]

"While the government remains confident the US will sell the submarines to Australia next decade, there is no guarantee it will happen."

https://t.co/fjxPacpD55

[Azcende @azcende]

The Strait of Hormuz is not the world's only oil chokepoint.

https://t.co/LdmmjHmLZW

[Azcende @azcende]

https://t.co/3gvRrc2ooI

[Azcende @azcende]

From the @eurasiagroup the Top Risks of 2026.

"The United States is itself unwinding its own global order. The world's most powerful country is in the throes of a political revolution"

https://t.co/wqGcYLrQRz

[Azcende @azcende]

"The Japanese conglomerate has sharply slowed dealmaking at its Vision Fund, with any investment exceeding $50 million now requiring Son's direct approval, signaling an "all-in" focus on AI, according to a Reuters report published Friday"

https://t.co/72f5nVs2C4

[Azcende @azcende]

Worlds most valuable companies - October 2025

[Azcende @azcende]

Vietnam’s reclamation activities in the contested Spratly Islands will exceed China’s if it continues at the same pace.

https://t.co/oEtzhiTER4

[Azcende @azcende]

Necessity is the mother of all invention..

https://t.co/HF6u7z6W3x

[Azcende @azcende]

"Aon Global Risk Management Survey shows that businesses continue to be most at risk due to cyber attacks and data breaches, but that geopolitical turnoil as well as the AI-driven future are fast catching up"

https://t.co/LMieQZt5Di

[Azcende @azcende]

"..Australia remains woefully under-industrialised, with the nation directly comparable to a “developing” nation when one measures the industrial base of the nation and how it compares to other nations"

https://t.co/9yDlolXkzy

[Azcende @azcende]

The AUKUS defence pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom will likely go ahead following an internal review by the Trump administration.

https://t.co/Il89QLJjiH

[Azcende @azcende]

“It will work in conjunction with an enhanced surface fleet, it will work with Collins-class submarines, and in the future with our future submarines.." - Defence Minister, Richard Marles

https://t.co/i7u4R0tDSo

[Lani Refiti @LaniRefiti]

Going through the Nvidia quarterly earnings. Largely beat expectations but stock price fell sharply IMO due to deceleration of growth and concerns over its valuation.

One interesting tidbit was Nvidia said sales to just a single customer represented 23% of its total $46.7 Billion of revenue from the quarter.

Someone spent a whopping $10.75 Billion with Nvidia during the quarter.

Ok which one was it?

[Lani Refiti @LaniRefiti]

Buy-backs are back in vogue - MAG7 bullish on their valuations

US companies have announced over $1 trillion in share buy-backs in 2025, marking the fastest pace to reach this milestone in history, with July alone hitting a record $166 billion in announcements.

- Apple $110B
- Alphabet (Google parent) $70B
- Nvidia $50B
- Host of other financials - JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, BoA approx $40B each

For the tech stocks - MAG7 in particular what I think it shows is they are bullish about their valuation, which IMHO are over-valued and reaching bubble territory. I think it also demonstrates confidence in the US economy particularly with the upcoming interest rates cuts coming, most experts predict at least a 50 basis point cut in the next 6 months.

[Lani Refiti @LaniRefiti]

Pumped to be speaking at @Xero Xerocon this week on - The Human Advantage: Thriving in the Age of AI

This is based on an article I had published recently on @forwardfuture which quoted Victor Hugo - "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." 

The idea whose time has come is not the replacement of human intelligence by AI, but their strategic integration.

[Lani Refiti @LaniRefiti]

Thank you to the team at @forwardfuture for publishing my article on "The Human Advantage: Thriving in the Age of AI"

My approach to AI is informed by my career in emerging tech and practice as a Psychotherapist which means I view the coming job/industry displacement or dislodgement as a people and change challenge..and opportunity.

https://t.co/LnCGQcP9hx

[Lani Refiti @LaniRefiti]

From the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Tianjin Summit.

The multi-popular world continues to fragment.

India’s involvement is especially troubling and I can’t work out whether its leverage vis-a-vis Trump tariffs and attempts to separate them from Russia or something deeper. India is incredibly strategic to Australia and US.

[Azcende @azcende]

https://t.co/roPjVPc6IE

[Azcende @azcende]

"The forces shaping national security and global stability aren’t just military—they’re market‑driven. Capital flows, asset pricing, and liquidity patterns can both signal resilience and expose fragility in ways defence budgets alone can’t capture.."