Infra-tech: New definitions & funding modes

​The hosts:

• ​Shakil Karim, Actia Capital Partners

• ​Toba Spiegel, Loom Ventures

​What is this Ripple about?

​As infra tech evolves (including blurring dividing lines), so do business models and funding. This is an exploration of what's new.

​⁠Why this topic timely or urgent in 2026

​Timely (& urgent): AI demand > supply > planetary boundaries with current infra. Need continued innovation and acceleration in this area.

​⁠Key questions or challenges being explored

• ​How has infratech evolved (practical definitions, what have we learned)?

• ​What are some of the emerging models?

• ​To what extent are we seeing new ways to support these capital-wise?

​⁠The main tension or debate at the heart of this discussion

​Who would get the most value from attending this Ripple?

​Founders (comparing notes and learning about scaling options), Investors (comparing notes on view of this space), Incubators/Government organizations/Ecosystem players (identifying connective-tissue points that are relevant for their programs)