Michael Steed is a venture capital investor at Paladin Capital Group who chairs the investment committees for the firm's cyber-focused funds while simultaneously serving on the Board of Directors of Harvard's Belfer Center Defending Digital Democracy Project. He brings an unusual background to venture capital, having started as a prosecutor before serving as Special Counsel to the Chairman and National Director of the Democratic National Committee in the early 1980s, and continues his democracy-focused work as a founding board member of the National Democratic Institute and executive producer of the documentary Bad Faith, which examines threats to American democracy.

• Prioritizing cybersecurity solutions that defend critical infrastructure, such as healthcare, energy grids, and water systems. He frequently points to real-world incidents, such as the cyber attack on Unity Health that disrupted prescription payments, to illustrate the urgent need for defensive technologies that protect essential American services.
• A strong focus on the intersection of national security and technology, particularly regarding threats from foreign adversaries like China. He often shares concerns about state-sponsored espionage campaigns, such as the Volt Typhoon malware found in US systems, to emphasize the necessity of building resilient domestic defenses.
• Advocating for the safety and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence as a prerequisite for its widespread adoption. This interest extends to supporting regulation and government initiatives, such as the White House's voluntary AI commitments, and backing companies like CalypsoAI that help enterprises deploy these tools securely.
• Supporting the expansion and education of the cybersecurity workforce to close the talent gap. He highlights investments in platforms like Hack The Box and RangeForce, which provide training and upskilling, noting that leaving cyber vacancies unfilled weakens national defense capabilities.
• Valuing deep collaboration between the private sector and government policy leaders. He frequently promotes the work of the Paladin Global Institute and praises the appointment of former government officials, such as those from the NSA or the Office of the National Cyber Director, to corporate boards and advisory roles.