What happens when you see a major shift coming… and act on it?
In this episode of Ticker Talk, Chris Barter (King River Capital) shares the moment he decided to step away from Goldman Sachs’ Russia business and how that decision shaped everything that followed.
From backing companies like Palantir to investing in AI and defence tech, this conversation dives into risk, timing and what it actually takes to make high-stakes decisions in uncertain markets.
We also unpack the future of AI, the risks of unchecked technology, and why responsibility matters just as much as innovation.
Timestamps:
0:00 - The moment he chose to leave Russia
1:00 - From Goldman Sachs to venture capital
2:10 - Starting King River in Australia
4:30 - Life outside work (surfing, music, balance)
5:00 - Ocean conservation & why it matters
9:00 - Why AI is his biggest focus
12:00 - The danger of bots, outrage & social media
14:00 - How he evaluates AI investments
15:10 - Gen AI, defence tech & what’s next
19:20 - Supporting Ukraine & global responsibility
21:20 - Biggest lesson from Goldman Sachs
22:40 - Using physics thinking in investing
