Steve Payne

Steve Payne is a Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to joining the firm in 2023, he served as a Managing Director at In-Q-Tel from 2012 to 2022, managing a cybersecurity and artificial intelligence portfolio exceeding $500 million across more than 50 investments. His earlier career includes advanced technology research and development leadership roles at Lockheed Martin. Payne holds a doctorate in materials science from UC Berkeley and a bachelor's degree from Stanford University, and he recently led a $20 million investment in a European artificial intelligence defense startup. Additionally, he authored the 2023 book "Deep Tech Revolution" and frequently speaks at major international technology conferences. His current focus centers on scouting and accelerating global deep tech startups operating at the intersection of corporate venturing and government technology.