Our Objective
The United States is lagging in the global techno-security competition and lacks effective policy, education, and coordination to compete with its rivals.
SVDG seeks to align and connect the people, capital, and ideas that will ensure allied democracies retain a durable techno-security advantage.
Our History
In 2015, Senator John McCain sought help from leaders in tech and finance to improve relations between the innovation hub of Silicon Valley and the technology demands of the defense market.
The result: The Silicon Valley Defense Group.
“More and more and more of the technologies that the US military will need to remain dominant are being developed by commercial firms, including those that traditionally have been deterred from doing business with the DoD. If the United States does not adjust to this new reality, we will fall further behind.”
— Senator John McCain
“Techno-security states are defined as innovation-centered, security-maximizing regimes that build tech capabilities to meet expansive national security requirements based on heightened threat perceptions and domestic security coalitions.”
— Dr. Tai Ming Cheung, UC San Diego
Our Founding
After meeting with Senator McCain, our founders continued to engage policymakers to help bridge the gap between government and Silicon Valley. Before officially becoming a 501C3 in 2020, SVDG operated for several years as an informal working group, uniting the people, capital, and ideas necessary to ensure allied democracies retain a durable techno-security advantage.
Pictured from left to right are SVDG Cofounder James Cross, Former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and current SVDG Advisor Fmr Rep. Mac Thornberry, SVDG Cofounder Chris O’Donnell, and industry leader Sean Singleton.
Our Founders
Purpose & Principles
Our Vision:
Ensure the U.S. and its allies achieve a durable advantage in the global techno-security competition.
Our Mission:
Create the nexus of pioneering ideas, people, and capital that will unlock new sources of innovation for national security and power the digital evolution of the defense industrial base.
Our Values
Independence
Independent of specific interests and nonpartisan, we seek to strengthen the collective ecosystem of defense innovation.
Ingenuity
We encourage new, creative ideas in tech and finance that advance the strategic interests of the U.S. and our allies.
Interconnectedness
We foster a nexus of networks that promotes the innovative, market-driven solutions that further allied geopolitical advantage.
Actionable Realism
We undertake clear-eyed advocacy in pursuit of challenging but achievable goals.
What We Do
Creating the Premier Crossroads of Capital and Dual-Use Innovation
SVDG aims to develop cross-cutting relationships between Silicon Valley startups, investors, and the defense ecosystem. To achieve this goal, SVDG seeks to engage and motivate dual-use innovators and venture capitalists to support the broad mandate for defense innovation.
-
![]()
Events
SVDG holds both public and private events that help to bridge the gap between government and various technology companies with the goal of promoting innovation within the national defense ecosystem.
-
![]()
Policy Papers & Reports
SVDG shares the insights fostered through discussions between and amongst industry leaders as well as members of government.
-
![]()
Other Resources
Throughout the year, SVDG publishes resources designed to promote entrepreneurship and private investment in national security, and to increase the tech acumen of defense personnel.
Sponsors
Support Our Work
We are on a mission to transform the global allied defense industrial base to ensure it is innovative, strategic, and competitive in its ability to effectively meet 21st century threats. To achieve our mission, we are convening a group of backers who will power our launch.