Geopolitical superiority was once measured by military might and economic strength alone. Today, technology has become the new currency of global power, determined by who leads in AI, who controls critical tech supply chains, and who drives breakthroughs in biotechnology and energy production. The language of diplomacy has evolved from arms treaties and trade pacts to semiconductor agreements and AI governance and data centers. 

This new reality is why we’re excited to welcome Brett McGurk to Lux Capital as our newest Venture Partner. At a moment when maintaining America’s innovative edge requires both scientific innovation and diplomatic sophistication, few people understand the intersection of technology and operational statecraft better than Brett McGurk. 

Brett brings decades of nonpartisan experience at the highest levels of U.S. foreign policy and national security. His diplomatic career spans four presidential administrations, most recently as Deputy Assistant to President Biden and White House Coordinator for the Middle East region. In this role, he spearheaded responses to some of the most complex diplomatic challenges of our time – from helping lead multi-month negotiations across the region to secure the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, to coordinating Israel's defense against the largest ballistic missile attacks in history, and to overseeing all aspects of American engagement throughout the Middle East and North Africa at moments of acute crisis and opportunity. 

Throughout his career, McGurk has been at the forefront of modern diplomacy’s evolution -- from championing new technology and energy corridors between India, the Gulf states, Israel, Jordan, and Europe, to witnessing firsthand how AI and computing infrastructure have become essential to maintaining strategic partnerships and global influence. He also has a first-hand understanding of how breakthrough defense technologies employed by U.S. military forces can deter future conflicts, provided the United States maintains its leading technological edge.

As Special Presidential Envoy for both Obama and Trump, McGurk built and then led a global coalition of more than 80 countries together with local forces on the ground to defeat ISIS and prevent future attacks into Europe as well as our own homeland. He also led secret negotiations with Iran to secure the release of American hostages, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaein, later receiving the James Foley Freedom Award for hostage diplomacy. As a senior White House official under George W. Bush, Brett was an early advocate for a change in war policy and helped develop “the surge” to better align the ends and means of U.S. strategy.  

During a brief period out of government service in 2019 and 2020, McGurk taught graduate courses on strategy and presidential decision-making at Stanford, and served on the board of a Lux company, Primer, which harnesses AI and natural language processing for real-time analysis in crisis and operational environments. It was there that we saw his talents first-hand and how he can help solve the real-world challenges confronting our founders.

“The technology industry cannot operate in isolation from geopolitical realities and operational necessities,” said McGurk. “Tomorrow’s breakthrough companies will need to understand not just the technology behind their innovations, but how to navigate an increasingly complex and contested international and public policy landscape. Lux stands out in recognizing that scientific advancement, commercial success, and strategic relationships are now inseparable.” 

At Lux, McGurk will help our founders navigate this new landscape where breakthrough innovation and international cooperation are increasingly intertwined. His unique combination of diplomatic experience and forging strategic partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to back founders building transformative companies that are reshaping the world. 

We’re thrilled to have him join the team. You can learn more about Brett’s distinguished background here.

~The Lux Capital Team