SVDG Academy
SVDG Academy
A stage agnostic pipeline for initial entry into the federal market for high growth commercial companies and their investors
Cohort companies will have access to office space and networking assistance in San Mateo and Washington, DC for two (2) years from program kickoff
Access to advisors with deep experience in the Department of Defense, Civilian Agency, or Intelligence Community (IC) markets
SVDG will develop case studies on each cohort company to be shared in an opensource platform, expanding the number of entrants to the national security market
At completion, cohort companies and their investors will have a clear business plan for engagement with the federal government that fits into their existing commercial strategy
The Current Landscape
There is an opportunity to help top-tier emerging technology companies enter government markets earlier in their lifecycle
Typical Challenges
Defense market is viewed as a “Black Box”
Companies are unsure of where to start and who can help
Scared by perception of government rules and regulations as overly cumbersome
There is usually poor access to government end users
Typical Approaches
• Hire a federal business leader and hope for the best
• Go through primes/systems integrators
• Hire defense focused consultants
• Find an executive advocate inside government to sponsor pilots
There are not many options that help venture-scale companies enter the Defense & Intelligence Community markets
The Problem
Companies that will raise money from leading venture capital firms are under constant pressure from their investors to achieve scale, potentially ignoring Defense and IC
Many leading companies in intel- and defense-priority technologies are being led by the commercial sector, largely ignoring or delaying their entrance to the government market
It is difficult for “venture scale” companies to consider entering the defense/IC market as their technology matures
Program Residencies
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San Mateo, CA
During their week-long Residency in Silicon Valley, Cohort companies will gain exposure to venture capital investors, researchers, and other technology entrepreneurs. They will also have access to Franklin Templeton’s cutting-edge Frontier Technology Incubator.
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Washington, DC
Cohort companies will spend a week in Washington, DC to learn about the defense industrial ecosystem and to gain exposure to potential customers and strategic partners. They will have full access to SVDG’s offices as a landing site while engaged in the Academy.
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San Diego, CA
Companies in the Academy Cohort will travel to San Diego, CA- the second-largest defense market in the US. Here, they will gain exposure to a rich technology ecosystem and will meet firsthand with potential end users of their products.
Target Technology Focus Areas
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Artificial Intelligence
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5G
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Quantum Computing
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Autonomy
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Space
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Materials Science
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Cyber Security
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Robotics & Unmanned Systems
Target Company Profile
Ideal companies will have already found product-market fit in the commercial sector and are both eager to enter and well-suited for government markets
Stage Agnostic
Primarily backed by top-tier venture capital funds
CFIUS Compliant
Commercial product-market fit
Little-to-no national security customers, but defense/intelligence is a recognized target market
Anchor Sponsors
About the Silicon Valley Defense Group
SVDG is a 501c3 non-profit working 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
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 Vision
Ensure the U.S. and its allies achieve a durable advantage in the global techno-security competition