Lucien Zeigler
Lucien Zeigler (born 1985) is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and defense industry executive. He is co-founder and General Partner of MASNA Ventures, Saudi Arabia’s first defense-focused venture capital firm, and Chief Executive Officer of REDSALT Defense, a U.S.–Saudi defense technology and industrial acceleration platform . He is also the creator and co-host of The Twenty30 Podcast, an English-language series examining Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and global innovation trends .
Career
Zeigler has worked in cross-border investment and Middle East market development for more than a decade. Prior to focusing on defense technology, he led Middle East and North Africa expansion efforts at California-based venture firm Pilatus Capital. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and partner of REDSALT Defense, where he focuses on localizing advanced U.S. and allied defense systems into Saudi Arabia through joint ventures and industrial partnerships. Through REDSALT Defense, he is an executive at SR Advanced Strategic Systems (SR2), a U.S.–Saudi joint venture designed to integrate Western defense platforms into Saudi manufacturing and operational ecosystems.
In 2026, Zeigler co-founded MASNA Ventures with investor Nehal Farooqui. The firm launched with a target of approximately $100 million for its first fund, backing early-stage defense and dual-use technologies while supporting localization of manufacturing in Saudi Arabia. Speaking about the firm’s strategy, Zeigler said MASNA aims to “translate technological edge into defense superiority by backing world-leading, trusted U.S. and allied technologies and scaling their manufacture in Saudi Arabia.” In comments to AGBI, he described the fund as structured to align venture investment with Saudi Arabia’s defense industrial policy, noting that localization requirements are reshaping how foreign defense technology companies approach the Kingdom’s market.
He has also emphasized that MASNA is designed not only to provide capital but to help portfolio companies navigate industrial partnerships and regulatory pathways, positioning localization as a strategic growth lever.
Media and Public Engagement
Zeigler is the creator and co-host of The Twenty30 Podcast, an English-language program focused on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms, investment climate, and strategic sectors including defense and advanced technology. The program publishes long form interviews with Saudi "change makers," including business and industry executives, cultural leaders, athletes, and others.
He is a frequent public speaker in Saudi Arabia, participating in economic forums, defense industry summits, and investment conferences where he discusses defense localization, venture capital, and cross-border industrial strategy.