Defense Entrepreneurs Forum

We recently returned from an event in Indiana with our #MidWestMafia and partners in crime at the Defense Innovation Networking Group (D!NG). While we joke about the #FlyOver territory, #ChildrenOfTheCorn and the like, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division ecosystem is emerging as one of the most critical resource communities in the #NAtSec sphere. We are all well aware of the criticality of #rareearthminerals and #AI but when it comes time to reinvigorating our #DefenseIndustrialbase sheer production capacity and the workforce that can make it happen, look no further than Indiana and what the #DING team is conjuring up out there. Force modernization and adaption of the NatSec community writ-large is going to be a whole of nation effort to include #VC #UAS and the usual suspects, but what is often overlooked when thinking about the practicality and brass tacks of meeting the demands of the day is the requisite skilled workforce which is in short supply. The #MidWest is going to have a HUGE role to play and this organization is doing the work to organize and advocate for the players in the arena there to make sure they get connected and plugged into to the other critical tendrils of the innovation community from #DC to #Austin and everywhere in between. Thanks for hosting us along with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). We look forward to many future collaborations with the #DING team. If your looking for an #Agora in the MidWest #DING is it. Heath Murray Gregory Sapp Jack Ryan Tommy Jones Jack Ryan Steve Bryant, MBA Aaron Ramsey, MBA, F. A.M. Jeremy Brilliant Jesse Levin, The Mill

Join us for the DEF AI Agora Monthly Meeting on December 5th from 8 PM to 9 PM EST! We're thrilled to feature an open conversation with Alexis Bonnell, the Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory – the leading scientific research and development center for the United States Air Force. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights into the intersection of artificial intelligence and defense innovation. Engage with one of the leaders at the forefront of technological advancement in this field! Sign up today for the invite and be part of this enlightening conversation! Looking forward to seeing you there! Link https://lnkd.in/e5ZaHXDF ?#AI #Innovation #DefenseTech #Leadership #Networking #DEFIAgora?#DEF #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #DefenseTech #Startups #NationalSecurity Kristin Sargent Brad Halsey, Jen Sovada, Jay Long, Justin Fanelli, David Schiff Adam Tiffen, Evanna Hu, Jason Briefel, W. Ethan Eagle???? Jim Perkins Jon Margolick Joshua Marcuse, David Cook, Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) Conrad Hollomon, Jer McKoy, Alex McLeod, MBA, Adam Hesch, Callye Keen, Felicity Amos Luke Shabro, Trish Martinelli Jesse Levin Tactivate Mitchell Rubinstein Nick Kesler

As we wrap up an incredible year, let’s come together to celebrate our achievements and look forward to an exciting 2025! ?? ???When:?Wednesday, December 11th ???Time:?5:30 PM EST ???Where:?Highline RxR, 2010 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 This event is all about connecting, sharing stories, and enjoying some great company. Your entry fee includes one drink and appetizers, so come ready to relax and mingle with fellow professionals in our community! Let’s toast to the year gone by and the adventures that await us in 2025. We can’t wait to see you there! ?? ???Register Here:?https://lnkd.in/eUvZ9Yx4 #DEF #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #DefenseTech #Startups #NationalSecurity Kristin Sargent Brad Halsey, Jen Sovada, Jay Long, Justin Fanelli, David S., Adam Tiffen, Evanna Hu, Jason Briefel, W. Ethan Eagle???? Jim Perkins Jon Margolick Joshua Marcuse, David Cook, Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) Conrad Hollomon, Jer McKoy, Alex McLeod, MBA, Adam Hesch, Callye Keen, Felicity Amos Luke Shabro, Trish Martinelli Jesse Levin Tactivate #DEFDCHappyHour #Networking #EndOfYearCelebration #Community

“Innovation needs a career path. It needs permanency. It needs a seat at the table, a role in the DoD culture, and a Senior Champion (via that career path) in order to break the hurdles that Grant Tyson, Hinote and dozens of others have spotlighted.” We could not agree with Trish Martinelli anymore here. Is there a Chief Cultural Czar in our future? As a #NatSec community we continue to hone in and harp on the criticality of #humantalent and we have worked to create and #innovate around revised approaches to how we attract and activate requisite talent for todays threat environment. But the things we create like Direct Commissioning sound great on paper but are failing miserably in practice and execution for efforts to attract new talent from outside the force, and we still face all the issues of the Up or Out culture for talent within the force. When it comes to the #people side of the house what are we doing on the #CivilAffairs #FAO #InnovationOfficer side of the house as it pertains to culture. Is one large #PSYOP required to disrupt our own system to shake the tendrils of entrenched dogmatic lethargy, inefficiency and stagnated people policies free? Whose doing work around re-thinking how we, as a national security community, interact with the civilian populace to attract and activate the right talent (beyond revising conventional recruiting strategies)? Whose looking at next generation #FAO, #CIVAffairs and #innovationofficer training pipelines to include cultural shift dynamics and disruptive #intrapreneurial and #entrepreneurial approaches to coalition building to be applied both within and on the periphery of our force? #humantalent #cultureshift #whatsthehangup Nicholas Vandre Jay Long Clint Hinote Lauren Hansen-Armendariz Kris Saling Mike McGinley Jim Perkins Jer McKoy William Treseder Gapingvoid Culture Design Group Trish Martinelli Brad Halsey Jen Sovada Alexis B. Justin Fanelli W. Ethan Eagle???? Chaveso Cook, Ph.D. Nicholas Krohley, Ph.D. Raphael Hernandez Timothy T.

Looking for that polished diamond in the rough... The Techie that also enjoys interacting with and leading people. If this mythical creature exists, we suggest checking out this opportunity with the Air Force Research Laboratory to work alongside Alexis B. the slayer of #toil. #TechEatsToilForBreakfast #AFRL #DEF

We will be out visiting our friends at the Defense Innovation Networking Group (D!NG) also known as The #MidWestMafia on the 21st of this month. For all of those who ask if #DEF has any events coming up in the #FlyOver States in the near term.... We think this qualifies? Looking forward to seeing the #DoddFather and the wrest of the crew as they emerge from the corn fields to host this Roadshow event. #ChildrenofTheCorn #NSW #Crane Heath Murray, Jack Ryan, Mike Dodd, Tommy Jones, Jennifer Boughton, Chaze Patrick, MPA, Jeremy Brilliant, Zach Oshinbanjo Gregory Sapp

On this Veterans Day we celebrate the unflappable commitment and relentless drive to serve of our Veteran community. Despite shocks to the system, moral affronts, the endless inefficiencies and mind boggling hurdles, so many of our Veterans refuse to accept the status quo and ferociously search for continued ways to serve and to have positive impact. Today, in honor of this attribute, that so many within the DEF community exhibit, we are launching #DEFNET. There is no underestimating the power of informal networks to exact impact when and where it matters most. We are running a three month experiment designed to celebrate the impact potential of communities of practice made up of Veterans and fellow co-conspirators, by working to ensure critical doers and movers and shakers, both within and outside of the #NatSec sphere remain connected and able to coordinate even when the status quo is disrupted. Equipment has been shipped to select beta testers. For more information on this line of effort reach out to [email protected] For all that have and continue to serve - You fuel us and this community and we will endeavor to continue to explore ways to empower you to continue to fulfill that itch to serve. Iridium Icom America Inc. Steve Birnbaum, Jay Long, Nicholas Vandre, Alexis B., Dr. Jesus C., Evanna Hu, Brad Halsey, Kaj Larsen, Justin Fanelli, Synn?ve Marie Kvam Str?msv?g, Jesse Levin Jer McKoy #HearMeNow #SatCom #Resilience #VirtuousInsurgency

Its Game day. Nothing like swapping that Scar Heavy with the 3x EOTECH setup for some joystick action with the whole family. A great event to re awaken that inner warrior within you and to spend time with the family raising funds for important causes. As we leg into Veterans Day, we can think of few things more important that treasuring time with the family. If you are a Call of Duty sort of household give this event a look. Live Streaming today at 4:00 Est. #GamersandGuardians

To much goodness in one day. It was unknown to us that The United States Marine Corps shares a birthday with Sesame Street. Fitting in so many ways. Happy birthday to our Marines. #EatCrayons #SingSongs

We don’t know a whole lot about HR and we are not entirely sure what EEO means but we do know that Jason Briefel is the closest thing to a “Hill Whisperer” that we know of in the community. So if you have a need to figure out how to navigate anything on the #Hill and as of late, a lot of #DEF folks have reached out about the need to create a DEF advocacy capability to do just that, this is the man we think of when it comes to that sort of line of effort. Here is a chance to get in front of him. #stafferseatsanityforbreakfast #navigatethehill #advocacy #lobbyordie