Amanda Foxton, PMP on LinkedIn: More ex-military officials are becoming VCs as defense tech investment… (2024)

Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it?: Published reports detail how little DoD actually spends on new or start-up companies, even ones that have what the military says its looking for.The post Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it? first appeared on Federal News Network. #FederalNewsRadio #IDefense

Interesting summary of a real trend. But are 'revolving doors' always a problem? In this case, do we prefer U.S. startups be uninformed by #nationalsecurity? And isn't more diverse #military & #defense #business competition generally good?One could argue we actually need more, not less, revolving doors. What do you think?#inclusivenationalsecurity

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Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it?: Published reports detail how little DoD actually spends on new or start-up companies, even ones that have what the military says its looking for.The post Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it? first appeared on Federal News Network. @Poseidon-US #FedearlNewsRadio #News

Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it?: Published reports detail how little DoD actually spends on new or start-up companies, even ones that have what the military says its looking for.The post Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it? first appeared on Federal News Network. #FedearlNewsRadio #News

Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it?: Published reports detail how little DoD actually spends on new or start-up companies, even ones that have what the military says its looking for.The post Military leaders talk incessantly about innovation. Why don’t they buy more of it? first appeared on Federal News Network. @Poseidon-US #FederalNewsRadio #Innovation

"US-based companies in (defense) collected nearly $100 billion in VC funding from 2021 to now, a figure that's about 40% higher than what was invested in the seven prior years combined...VC's appetite for investing in defense tech isn't expected to slow down."Is this good news? Let's stop and think:1: Think about your own experience as a user of the Web over the last 25 years. Think about the effect that increased VC involvement has had on the systems and products that you love(d). Think about how much the Web has evolved from a single open community into a balkanized collection of social media communities that do not interoperate. Now consider that DoD's foremost technical aspiration is to do the opposite: to move from an enterprise with countless systems and networks and telecom standards, to one that allows warfighters, sensors, and weapons systems in every service—Army, Navy, Air Force—at every echelon—platoon, squadron, unit, company, brigade, wing—to be able to communicate with one another seamlessly, whether they are in the air, on the ground, or at sea. (Google “JADC2”) Do you think that flooding the defense marketplace with tech that is backed by VC funding and a business model that capitalizes on your data is going to give DoD the result that it wants? As Jed Sundwall said to me recently, the government should start being mindful of the business models behind the technology it has to procure.2: Think about WHY defense companies are bringing in more venture capital. Is it because lots of non-conventional companies are entering the marketplace? According to the National Defense Industrial Association - (NDIA), the opposite is happening: the number of companies in defense is actually going DOWN. https://lnkd.in/eKkkbBbX So why the huge spike in VC? Maybe it's because surviving the “valley of death” is so damn hard that the only shot you have is to take on debt from someone whose interests are unaligned with the mission.

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Discipline. Perseverance. Respect. Words that resonate in healthcare startup companies.Traits that are second nature in those who have served our country.I've witnessed the transformative impact military veterans have on healthcare ventures and startups. Their steadfast dedication and ability to see a mission through to completion are not just admirable traits but key ingredients of innovation and success.When a veteran joins a startup, they bring more than skills – they bring a presence that increases a company’s brand recognition and loyalty.It's in no small part a reflection of the public's respect for their dedication and service.Military veterans are adept at navigating the chain of command, yet versatile enough to wear multiple hats at once in the dynamic startup environment. Here's to the veterans enriching our important pursuit of an improved healthcare system – a system that is focused on access, convenience, affordability, and novel technological products and solutions.It’s an honor to have you on our team.

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As an European defense startup that continues to grow and innovate, we face both opportunities and challenges. Also, we can’t deny the need for advanced military technology, which positions us to drive innovation and exceed expectations. We would like to thank Sifted for including us in their tech market map on defense and dual-use technologies for 2024. We’re well-positioned to drive innovation and develop cutting-edge technologies that can save lives. The collaboration between startups and governments holds the potential to transform the defense sector, making significant contributions to both national security and the well-being of military personnel.Read more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/dFxSj2wB#DefenseIndustry #Innovation #MilitaryTech #Startups #Europe

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The potential returns on investment in the military and defence sector are significant: governments worldwide allocate substantial budgets towards defence and security, providing a stable customer base and they are often associated with long-term revenue streams and contracts that span anywhere from several years to decades, offering a reliable source of income. But working with the government isn’t as rosy as it sounds.If we take the US as an example, the sector has been dominated by the Big Five for decades. Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics have monopolised the industry making it notoriously difficult to enter and compete as a new supplier.Defence startups, for example Anduril, represent a shift in this traditional approach: while the U.S. military has historically prioritised hardware over software, Anduril places software at the heart of its defence philosophy. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision, Anduril pioneers the use of software-driven solutions in the evolving landscape of warfare.

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Here's how small manufacturers in #Kansas will have opportunities to solve challenges for the U.S. Defense Department. FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University secures new designation. #innovation #defenseindustry #defense #manufacturing #defensecontracting

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