EPISCI

3 FOUNDING ENGINEERS, 3 WEEKS.


ENGAGEMENT BRIEFING

  • CLIENT: $15B Defence Tech & Physical AI Company [NDA]

  • CAPITALISATION: $15 Billion Valuation [Series F]

  • OPERATING THEATRES: Washington D.C. | London | Stockholm

  • ENGAGEMENT LEAD: Steven Bourne, New Intelligence

  • REPORTING TO: European Head of Government & Defence



THE FRICTION: THE IMPOSSIBLE TRIAD
Traditional executive search fails in the modern defence-tech landscape because the ideal candidate profile sits at the intersection of conflicting market dynamics. We were tasked with extracting operators who possessed Silicon Valley-calibre C++ engineering, strict SC/DV government clearance, and the low-ego conviction required to abandon hybrid work for a highly demanding, strict 5-day in-office mandate.

The resulting talent pool was mathematically microscopic. We bypassed the open market entirely.











hiker in nature

DISPATCHES FROM THE SHADOWS.

what i'm seeing inside start-ups, the psychology of extraordinary people, and the art of headhunting at the highest level. one email a week.

hiker in nature

DISPATCHES FROM THE SHADOWS.

what i'm seeing inside start-ups, the psychology of extraordinary people, and the art of headhunting at the highest level. one email a week.

© STEVE BOURNE | 2026

© STEVE BOURNE | 2026