Program

Keynotes

  • Trae Stephens

    Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Anduril
    Partner, Founders Fund

  • Admiral (ret.) John Aquilino

    Former Commander, United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)

Key Panels

The Future of War

  • Technological developments are reshaping the face of warfare. In Ukraine and the Middle East, on land, in the air, in space, at sea, and in cyberspace, we have recently witnessed new capabilities and platforms make their presence felt on the battlefield. This panel explores the broad sweep of what we have learned, presses on which technologies matter most, and asks what will change versus stay the same in future conflict. Panelists will also assess how well the United States and our allies are doing at testing and incorporating new technology, relative to our adversaries.

  • Shyam Sankar

    CTO
    Palantir

  • Major General (ret.) Volodymyr Havrylov

    Former Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense

  • Shaun Maguire

    General Partner
    Sequoia Capital

  • Brad Boyd

    Visiting Fellow
    Hoover Institution

Defining Success in Defense Tech Investments

  • Bringing together leading experts in defense technology and venture capital, this panel will delve deep into the intricacies of investing in defense and dual-use technologies. As global security dynamics evolve at an unprecedented pace, understanding what constitutes success in defense tech investments has never been more crucial. The discussion will encompass critical topics such as navigating regulatory landscapes, balancing innovation with security requirements, and identifying emerging technologies that have the potential to redefine defense capabilities. Attendees will gain insights from a diverse range of perspectives, drawing on the expertise of seasoned professionals who are actively shaping the future of defense innovation. This panel aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the defense tech investment landscape, equipping investors and innovators alike with the knowledge to make informed decisions in this complex and high-stakes sector.

  • Raj Shah

    Managing Partner
    Shield Capital

  • Steve Bowsher

    Chief Executive Officer
    In-Q-Tel

  • Chris Mintle

    Managing Director, Aerospace & Defense
    Lazard

  • Asad Akram

    Deputy Director (Strategy)
    DOD Office of Strategic Capital

  • Sarah Hess

    Operating Partner
    Point72 Ventures

Breakout Panels

Breakout Panel Session #1

Building Teams for the Future of Defense

  • The new era of defense is here, marked by a shifting toward fast-moving commercial companies as opposed to the existing primes, along with a return to dual-use. What insights, what team compositions, what public and private partnerships, and what general strategies do these startups need to use to actually sell into the US government? On this panel, founders and venture capitalists alike seek to answer what it takes to build a generational defense company in this new era.

  • Nini Hamrick

    Co-Founder & President
    Vannevar Labs

  • Cameron McCord

    Co-Founder & CEO
    Nominal

  • Ian Cinnamon

    Co-Founder & CEO
    Apex

  • Akhil Iyer

    Principal
    Shield Capital

The Future of the Industrial Base: From Steel to Silicon

  • This panel will explore the evolving industrial base that underpins national security in the 21st century. As modern defense systems become increasingly reliant on advanced technologies, while still requiring some of the fundamental manufacturing capabilities of the 20th century, the panel will focus on the industrial base that underlies these systems, ranging from traditional and advanced manufacturing of metallic structures to advanced semiconductor products.

    Panelists, including experts from industry, venture capital, and government, will discuss the challenges of supply chain security, the global competition for critical materials, and the need for resilient production capabilities in the various verticals necessary for national defense. They will address policy, technology, and investment strategies needed to ensure the U.S. industrial base remains competitive and adaptable in an era of rapid technological and industrial change. The session will also consider the role of public-private partnerships and the importance of innovation ecosystems in sustaining national security, concluding with insights into the future of the defense-industrial nexus.

  • Paul Kwan

    Managing Director
    General Catalyst

  • Matt Gratias

    VP, Federal Programs
    Relativity Space

  • Chris Baker

    VP, Operations
    Hadrian

  • Mark Dickinson

    Director, Virgnia Class Submarine Construction and Industrial Base Coordination
    Naval Reactors

  • Alex Lubkin

    MBA Candidate
    Stanford University

Space: Launch, Observation and Development

  • This panel will explore the rapidly evolving space technology landscape, focusing on key challenges and opportunities for both commercial companies and government agencies. Discussion topics include the demand for emerging technologies, alignment between commercial innovation and government needs, and obstacles faced by new companies entering the industry. Additional themes will cover technology acquisition processes, the role of dual-use technologies, and funding challenges for space startups. The panel will also examine successful collaborations between industry and government, strategies for scaling technological development, and future trends in space technologies that will shape the next decade of national security and innovation.

  • Jonny Dyer

    CEO
    Muon Space

  • Daniel Owins

    Chief, In-Q-Tel Interface Center
    National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

  • Mark Seidel

    CFO
    True Anomaly

  • Nirav Patel

    Senior Scientist & Program Manager for Remote Sensing
    Defense Innovation Unit

  • Andrew Paulmeno

    MBA Candidate
    Stanford University

Breakout Panel Session #2

Innovation in the Intelligence Community

  • Advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics are revolutionizing the Intelligence Community (IC), transforming how intelligence is processed and applied. Commercial partnerships and the integration of emerging technologies like quantum computing and advanced cybersecurity solutions are pushing the boundaries of IC capabilities. However, legacy systems, bureaucratic hurdles, and the challenges of incorporating commercial tech into classified environments remain significant obstacles. For venture capitalists, the IC market offers high-impact opportunities with high barriers to entry, ensuring exclusivity and long-term contracts. A strong track record, unique technological innovations, and proven adaptability to the IC’s rigorous demands are crucial for securing investments. While smaller than the DoD market, the potential for substantial impact and sustained relationships makes the IC an attractive target for investment.

  • Nand Mulchandani

    CTO
    CIA

  • Larsen Jensen

    Founder & GP
    Harpoon Ventures

  • Jonathan Clifford

    Professional Staff Member for Technology & Innovation
    House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

  • Samuel Semwangu

    CEO
    Bazze

  • Brian Katz

    Business Unit Lead
    Vannevar Labs

The R&D Ecosystem for Critical Technologies

  • Many of the emerging technologies that underpin today’s defense tech startups—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology—are deeply rooted in the research and development ecosystem. This panel will delve into how the U.S. can strategically cultivate these critical technologies by leveraging public-private partnerships, tapping into the expertise of academia and research PhDs, and capitalizing on the unique capabilities of government research labs. Core questions to be explored include how the R&D ecosystem can better align with national security needs, the most effective models for collaboration across sectors, and how the U.S. can stay ahead in the global race for technological dominance. The discussion will also grapple with the challenge of balancing fundamental, long-term research with the pressing need for applied solutions that translate into deployable capabilities for national security.

  • Bilal Zuberi

    General Partner
    Lux Capital

  • Subodh Kulkarni

    CEO
    Rigetti

  • Patricia Falcone

    Deputy Director for Science & Technology
    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Ali Keshavarzi

    Adjunct Professor for Electrical Engineering
    Stanford University

  • Fritz Prinz

    Leonardo Professor, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and of Materials Science and Engineering
    Stanford University

  • Ethan Klein

    MBA Candidate
    Stanford University

Innovation and Investing in Critical Minerals Resilience

  • The United States' increasing reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals has profound implications for national security and technological advancement. These essential materials, vital for constructing advanced weaponry are often sourced from nations that may not align with U.S. interests—or even pose potential threats. Despite historical efforts to mitigate such dependencies, we find ourselves more entwined with adversarial supply chains than ever before, highlighting systemic challenges in our innovation and investment ecosystems.

    This panel will explore how the U.S. can leverage its strengths to improve the independence and resilience of critical material supply chains. We will delve into the complexities of fostering innovation within a free-market economy, especially when competing against state-controlled enterprises that use strategic resources as instruments of national power. Key questions include how investors and the government can better support companies commercializing novel technologies for critical minerals, and what roles federal initiatives should play in setting conditions for enhanced resilience.

  • Chris James

    Founder & CIO
    Engine No. 1

  • Taso Arima

    CEO
    IperionX

  • Vy Nguyen

    Deputy Director of Industrial Policy and Analysis
    Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment

  • Matthew Sloustcher

    Senior Vice President of Communications and Policy
    MP Materials

  • Nathan Ratledge

    CEO
    Alta Resource Technologies

  • Barclay Jones

    MBA Candidate
    Stanford University

Breakout Panel Session #3

Crypto, Web3, and National Security

  • As cryptographic technologies and decentralized networks (Web3) advance at an unprecedented pace, national security faces both transformative opportunities and complex challenges. This panel brings together leading experts in cryptography, blockchain technology, cybersecurity, and defense policy to explore how these innovations are reshaping the security landscape by examining cryptography's dual role in protecting sensitive data while potentially enabling adversaries to obscure malicious activities; analyzing the implications of decentralized platforms on intelligence gathering, surveillance, and control of information; exploring how distributed ledger technologies can enhance supply chain security, identity management, and secure communication within defense infrastructures; debating the balance between fostering innovation in crypto technologies and implementing regulations to prevent misuse by hostile entities; and identifying new vulnerabilities introduced by crypto and Web3 technologies alongside strategies to mitigate associated risks.

  • Gus Lersten

    Co-Founder & CEO
    Labrys

  • Daniel Goldsmith

    CEO
    Heights Labs

  • Frank Liddy

    Partner
    Terranet Ventures

  • Jay Long

    Founder & COO
    Parlay

Powering the AI Future

  • Our electrical supply is our key chokepoint in the U.S - China AI race. China has built 81x more grid capacity than the US over the last 20 years. Last year they installed more solar capacity that the rest of the world combined. Come listen to discussion between incredible thought leaders in the energy, data centers, and china policy...From the former CEO of the largest grid operator in the US (PJM) to the Defense Innovation Unit's Senior Military Advisor for their Energy Portfolio as we discuss how our grid capacity effects our AI future, what barriers and solutions they see in increasing our grid capacity, and how China is solving these questions.

  • Jeff Cox

    Chief Innovation Officer
    Tract

  • Andy Ott

    Head of Technical and Partner Operations for Tapestry
    X, The Moonshot Factory

  • Newt McKissick

    Senior Military Advisor, Energy Portfolio
    Defense Innovation Unit

  • Emily Jin

    China Analyst
    Datenna

  • Nico Enriquez

    MBA Candidate
    Stanford University

Autonomy in Action

  • "Autonomy in Action" will explore the rapidly evolving shift from human-led to autonomous systems as the next major frontier in warfare. Bringing together visionaries from the government and private sector, we will discuss how autonomous technologies are being developed, integrated, and scaled to meet today’s operational needs. We'll discuss the evolution of autonomy in a variety of domains, the challenge of retaining mission focus amidst diverse stakeholder agendas, and the future of multi-domain operations. Join us as we discuss the immense potential and obstacles that lie ahead.

  • Dino Mavrookas

    Co-Founder & CEO
    Saronic

  • Stephanie Bonk

    Co-Founder & President
    Overland AI

  • David Michelson

    Director, Autonomy Portfolio
    Defense Innovation Unit

  • James Carlson

    Chief Legal and Information Officer
    Shield AI

  • Connor Love

    Partner
    Lightspeed Ventures

Breakout Panel Session #4

Spectrum Dominance and Electronic Warfare

  • The rapidly evolving EW tactics observed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict highlight the imperative for agility in the electromagnetic spectrum. The defense tech industry is responding with scalable, flexible technologies that outpace traditional systems. Innovative startups are at the forefront, offering agile, cost-effective, and distributed solutions that disrupt conventional models. This panel will examine these lessons and explore EW planning in the Pacific theater, where near-peer conflicts will require a sophisticated integration of kinetic and electronic capabilities, positioning EW as a decisive element of modern military strategy.

  • Nathan Mintz

    Co-Founder & CEO
    CX2

  • John Davies

    Program Manager, Microsystems Technologies Office
    DARPA

  • William "Dollar" Young

    fmr. Commander, 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing
    U.S. Air Force

  • Yaroslav Kalinin

    CEO
    INFOZAHYST

  • Justin Asuncion

    Graduate Student
    Naval Postgraduate School

Best Practices for Dual-Use Technologies

  • The "Best Practices for Dual-Use Technologies" panel will explore the challenges and opportunities of developing technologies that serve both commercial and defense markets. Industry leaders from Maxar, Hermeus, and US Innovative Technology Fund will share their insights on navigating regulatory landscapes, hardware vs. software innovation, and offer strategic advice for companies weighing defense-only versus dual-use models.

  • AJ Piplica

    CEO
    Hermeus

  • Liz Stein

    Managing Director
    USIT

  • Peter Wilczynski

    Chief Product Officer
    Maxar

  • Andrew Couillard

    MBA Candidate
    Stanford University

Defense Applications for AI

  • As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a rapid pace, its applications in defense are revolutionizing modern warfare and national security strategies. This panel brings together leading experts in AI technology, military strategy, cybersecurity, and defense policy to explore how AI innovations are reshaping the defense landscape by enhancing decision-making processes through predictive analytics and real-time data processing; improving surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities with advanced image and signal recognition; automating defense systems including drones and autonomous vehicles; and introducing new ethical and regulatory challenges related to autonomous weapons and AI governance. The discussion will delve into the integration of AI in defense operations, the potential risks and vulnerabilities such as adversarial AI and cybersecurity threats, and strategies for ensuring responsible development and deployment of AI technologies in defense contexts to maintain a strategic advantage while upholding international law and ethical standards.

  • Matt Cox

    Founder & CEO
    Beacon AI

  • Greg Sands

    Founder & Managing Partner
    Costanoa Ventures

  • Lindsey Sheppard

    Deputy Director, Advanced Command and Control Accelerator
    Department of Defense Chief Digital and AI Office

  • Ahmad Nasir

    JD/MBA Candidate
    Stanford University