2012 saw Tinder burst onto the Silicon Beach scene as a culturally defining explosion to epitomise a technological movement which placed human connection at the forefront of innovation.
In the early 2010s, LA’s tech scene was taking off. Tinder, Snap, and Ring set the precedent for an era of lifestyle apps and social platforms, powered by optimism and a sense of endless possibility. Amid the backdrop of a city famous for its creative freedom, Rachel Lee Goldenberg’s recent biopic, a picture of cappuccino-fuelled entrepreneurship plastering over its immorality with beanbags and ping pong. Love was in the air, with a flurry of cash flying right alongside it.
Today, the city’s energy has shifted. In recent years, LA has quietly re-emerged with subtle sonic booms as a hub for defence and aerospace technology. Those engineers who once fine-tuned Cupidinian algorithms are now building autonomous drones, radar systems, and next-generation satellite constellations. Human connection has stepped aside in favour of national protection. Cupid’s Bow is now a surface-to-air missile.
Anduril is one of those leading the charge. The company reported around $1 billion in revenue in 2024, a 138% increase from the previous year, and is now valued at approximately $30.5 billion after raising $2.5 billion in new funding in 2025. It’s a sharp breakaway from consumer-focused VR headsets. And yet, Meta has reignited its partnership with Palmer Luckey – social connection has once again found itself hand-in-hand with defence tech.
LA now ranks among the top five global cities for start-up investment, with the defence industry alone seeing an uptick of more than 170% in funding since 2020. The result? We’re seeing huge swathes of emerging engineering talent drawn to the potential of VC-backed missiles, rockets, and satellites.
A New Kind of Cool
The cultural shift is just as striking. For years, defence work has been viewed with a sepia-toned and bureaucratic tinge. Indeed, the UK scene is still struggling with its red tape. On the contrary, today Los Angeles offers something uniquely mission-driven and innovative. In a world where geopolitical tensions are rising, a new generation wants to work on problems that truly matter, at a pace which is truly purposeful. Equally, for many graduates “Tech-for-Good” has evolved into “Tech-for-Protection”, and it’s resonating deeply with young engineers who care more about impact than office foosball tables.
So, it’s not all glamour. Defence tech rarely offers FAANG-level salaries or start-up luxuries. The projects can be complex, the pay modest, and the timelines tight. But for many, that trade-off feels worth it. Purpose is taking priority over perks.
LA’s position in this movement is no accident. The city has, of course, always maintained a deep connection to aerospace and defence, from Northrop to SpaceX. Combine that legacy with its film, design, and start-up culture, and you get a place where imagination meets engineering. It’s not just about building systems that work; it’s about building systems that break conventions and push boundaries.
The definition of “cool” in LA tech is changing. Where before we chased the next viral sensation, now the most enticing moonshots are far more literal. Joining an A&D start-up no longer feels passé; it feels relevant. For a city built on creativity and reinvention, this shift makes perfect sense. LA has always looked ahead. Right now, the future – and the funding – is married to technology which keeps the world secure.
