Gothic moonshots

Abstract

This article suggests that, by looking at Gothic cathedrals as examples of early moonshots, we might gain actionable insights into the contemporary production of moonshot goods. It argues that Early Gothic cathedrals emerged from decentralized, sequential and uncertain experiments, associated with knowledge spillovers. Extending this lens to contemporary venture-backed moonshots, especially in deep-tech, where multiple principals also finance experiments under uncertainty, it suggests that hybrid policy instruments could contribute to harnessing collective venturing toward more mission-oriented, transformative outcomes.