On October 25th, SVDG hosted a webinar focused on the DOD’s ability to scale autonomous systems through initiatives such as Replicator. The discussion, hosted live on LinkedIn, featured perspectives from Anduril and ShieldAI, along with insights from the Department of Defense.

Companies working on space-related technologies comprised over one-third of SVDG's inaugural NatSec100. In this report, we take a closer look at the commercial space industry and provide insights into a nascent yet growing landscape of dual-use space companies. Although this industry has flourished in recent years, more work remains to support these companies' advancement of critical national security space capabilities.

On September 21st , SVDG hosted a webinar focused on the venture-backed space industry’s role within our national security ecosystem. The discussion featured perspectives from the Department of Defense, venture-backed space companies, and additional insights from our recently published #NatSec100 report.

On Monday, August 14 at 3pm ET, SVDG hosted a webinar featuring Founders and CEOs from our inaugural #NatSec100 Report. They discussed the NatSec100 from a Founder & CEO perspective, and explored their perspectives on the benefits and challenges of working in the national security ecosystem as a venture-backed company.

In this webinar, we continue the conversation started by our inaugural #NatSec100 report last week, in which we ranked the top 100 venture-backed companies working in National Security. We discuss the development of the NatSec100 and why we created the list, our methodology in ranking companies, In-Q-Tel's prominence as an investor in the space, and answer live questions from the audience.

The NatSec100 is our newly developed, annual ranked list of the top venture-funded defense and dual-use startups. It was developed to offer a data-driven snapshot of the evolving techno-security ecosystem. The list is by no means a perfect indicator of the future success or failure of the companies it comprises; rather, it is intended to drive conversation around the emerging tech ecosystem in national security.

In the age of rapid technological advancement, the landscape of warfare is evolving at a breathtaking pace, opening doors to a future brimming with possibilities and challenges. In this conversation, we discuss Emerging Technology Readiness.

Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG) would like to congratulate Harvard Business School’s Aerospace & Aviation Club and MIT Sloan’s Defense Technology Club for hosting their second annual Technology and National Security Conference, of which Silicon Valley Defense Group is the Founding Sponsor.

What is it like working at the cross section of emerging technology and national security? Hosted by SVDG Executive Board Member and Managing Director and National Security Technology Practice Lead at Beacon Global Strategies, Lauren Bedula, this podcast explores the stories of individuals working at this critical juncture. Lauren is joined by SVDG Partner and Investment Officer at Flux Marine, Whitney Tallarico, and Second Front Systems COO Chrissy McGarry.

Silicon Valley Defense Group is proud to partner with the Naval War College Foundation to host, “U.S. and China Relations: Tension in the Indo-Pacific Region” on May 16th, 2023. 25th United States National Security Advisor, LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster will join in person to provide the keynote address.

Rapid advancements in technology, coupled with the evolving nature of threats, require the DOD to constantly explore and integrate new and innovative commercial solutions to stay ahead. Flexible funding is one way in which the Department of Defense (DOD) can create an emerging tech readiness ecosystem to foster innovation. In this conversation, SVDG Executive Director Sam Gray and SVDG West Coast Director Sarah Hess discuss flexible funding with Mac Thornberry, former Chairman of the United States House Armed Services Committee.

In the age of rapid technological advancement, the landscape of warfare is evolving at a breathtaking pace, opening doors to a future brimming with possibilities and challenges. As we embrace this new era, we witness the transformative power of trade, cyber-security, non-state actors, and social media algorithms, reshaping the very nature of conflict and national security.

SVDG Executive Director Sam Gray, along with SVDG Co-Founders James Cross and Chris O’Donnell, discuss Foreign Direct Investment with Jeff Field, Special Agent in Charge, San Francisco FBI Field Office, in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s failure. This conversation was recorded live at SXSW23 prior to the joint statement issued by the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, and FDIC outlining the protection of depositors at SVB.

Success in venture capital is often measured by a portfolio company achieving ‘Unicorn’ status (the company being valued at over $1B). As VCs invest more heavily in defense tech and the U.S. government cultivates increased commercial technology into its ecosystem, this conversation will explore whether this indicator will lead to the transformation the defense sector is in dire need of. With participant experience across Congress, VC-backed defense tech companies, venture capital firms, and the military, this will be a can’t-miss conversation.

This month the nation’s most prominent thought leaders from across the defense, congressional, technology innovation, and private capital communities convened once again at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California. Their charter was identical to that of years past: review and assess policies that strengthen America’s national defense in the context of the global threat environment. 

Whether you’re a software company entering the federal market or a government leader responsible for making sure your team has the best tools to accomplish their mission, the Authority to Operate (ATO) process can be a critical enabler, or a massive roadblock.

Join Silicon Valley Defense Group and Second Front Systems as we host an open conversation about the current state of ATOs and the implications it has for stakeholders across the software acquisition landscape. Register here.

During this exclusive six-hour event, “Harnessing AI to Advance National Security,” SVDG and our partners at the Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) will assemble leaders from the business, technology, academic and defense sectors to raise awareness and discuss national security considerations presented by advances in AI. Registration is now open.

The Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG) would like to congratulate Harvard Business School’s Aerospace & Aviation Club and MIT Sloan’s Defense Technology Club for hosting an incredible conference last weekend in Cambridge, MA. The conference featured opening remarks by Ash Carter, 25th Secretary of Defense, and 35th Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.

How strong is America's Defense Industrial Base (DIB) today? Where is it headed? How will trends in the DIB affect the venture ecosystem? How will economic drivers affect our national security? To explore the the debate over these crucial economic and military issues, Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG) is teaming up with NDIA to host a virtual event featuring the authors of the Vital Signs report.

The Silicon Valley Defense Group recently launched the SVDG Academy, a stage agnostic pipeline for initial entry into the federal market for high growth commercial companies and their investors. SVDG has identified an opportunity to help top-tier emerging technology companies enter government markets earlier in their lifecycle. Cohort companies gain access to office space and networking assistance in various markets across the United States.