FAQs

Where will the conference take place?

The conference on Wednesday, October 9 will take place at the Hoover Institution on the campus of Stanford University. The Career Fair and Pre-Conference Reception on Tuesday, October 8 will take place on the front lawn of Encina Hall. A map of the Stanford campus can be found here. Information about visitor parking can be found here.

Are there opportunities to sponsor the conference?

Absolutely! Stanford DEFCON is extremely grateful of the support we have received from the defense tech community at large. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the conference, please email conference co-organizer Bryce Mitchell at bwmitch@stanford.edu.

Is there still space for my company to showcase at the career fair?

Yes. We would love to see your company at the career fair. Please reach out to Ethan Klein at eaklein@stanford.edu for details.

When will speakers be announced?

We are currently in the process of finalizing keynote speakers and panel participants, so stay tuned as we will have speaker announcements coming shortly! Last year’s event was keynoted by Dr. Steve Blank and Dr. Condoleezza Rice and speakers included C-suite executives from Anduril, Palantir, Shield AI, Scale AI, Saab, Vannevar Labs, Rebellion Defense, and more.

Are discounted tickets being offered?

We are happy to offer discounted tickets for current university students as well as government employees and active duty military. Discounted tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite at this link.

How do I redeem my free sponsor ticket?

Your sponsoring organization should have received a promo code to be redeemed at checkout on Eventbrite. If you require further assistance, please email conference co-organizer Ethan Klein at eaklein@stanford.edu..

Who is the intended audience of the conference?

This conference is designed for a broad audience passionate about the intersection of technology and national security. The agenda caters to scientists and engineers, investors funding emerging tech, government policymakers involved in shaping tech and national security policy, and academics from the fields of policy, science, technology, and engineering. Last year, we were fortunate to have speakers from all of these backgrounds and we are seeking a diverse representation of speakers for this year’s conference as well. Because this is a student-run conference, both undergraduate and graduate students with a keen interest in these areas or those eager to learn more are especially encouraged to attend.

How can I get involved?

If you are a current Stanford student or part of the Stanford alumni community, please send us an email at DEFCON_tech@stanford.edu to get involved with Stanford DEFCON.