Peter Barrett

Engineer, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Investor, Parent, Technologist, World traveler

I am a General Partner at Playground Global, a deep tech venture firm in Palo Alto, CA. I believe the computing revolution—and arguably even the industrial revolution—haven’t happened yet. I am drawn to the toughest challenges at the boundaries of deep tech and hard science. I serve on the board of transformative companies in computation, AI, and decarbonization, including PsiQuantum, which is building the world’s first useful quantum computer, Universal Hydrogen, which is pioneering emissions-free aviation with 50-passenger planes fueled by modular hydrogen, and Element Zero, using renewables to transform Western Australia from the world's mine into the worlds green metal foundry. Prior to Playground, I created the first widely used video codec in the early ’90s, served as a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, and gave Elon Musk his first Silicon Valley job. I hold over 100 patents.

Climate change, quantum computation and materials, agency over biology, hydrogen aviation, semiconductors, and civilization.

We have large and growing set of technologies to tackle our most pressing problems: health, climate change, equity. With the right focus and disciplined application of intellectual and actual capital these technologies can quickly move civilization forward.

AI, Automation, Decarbonization, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Semiconductors