Christopher Steed serves as the chief architect of Paladin Capital Group's national security and cyber strategy, joining in 2008 to lead development and implementation of the firm's multi-stage investment approach across global IT and cyber portfolios. He brings an unusual combination of ultra-high-net-worth wealth management experience from Merrill Lynch's Private Banking division and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst credentials to his role as a cyber-focused venture capital managing director.

• Deep focus on the cybersecurity landscape, particularly solutions that address specific threats like phishing, mobile security, and threat intelligence. He frequently shares milestones for security-focused portfolio companies, such as the growth and eventual acquisition of the anti-phishing platform PhishMe and funding rounds for defensive tech companies like Endgame and White Ops.
• Enthusiasm for frontier technologies and deep tech innovation beyond standard SaaS. He highlights investments in complex sectors like quantum computing and AI through companies such as SandboxAQ, as well as space technology and satellite intelligence via Ursa Space Systems.
• Advocacy for safety tech and the broader societal impact of digital platforms. He promotes initiatives that aim to clean up the internet by reducing harassment and disinformation, evidenced by his sharing of a commissioned report analyzing the billion-dollar US safety tech market.
• Engagement with academic ecosystems and regional innovation hubs to source talent. He actively supports university-led events, such as a cybersecurity pitch competition involving major institutions like Duke and Georgia Tech, demonstrating an interest in fostering entrepreneurship at the collegiate level.