Embracing Innovation: A Call to Small Businesses in the Era of Great Power Competition

For decades, the US intelligence community and government have faced an ever-evolving set of challenges. Today, as an expert in both US intelligence and government innovation, I assert that our challenges in the Great Power Competition against China, Russia, and Iran underscore the imperative for continuous innovation.

Anomaly Six is one of these companies focused on innovation to support client requirements, adversarial deterrence against Great Power Competition, ensuring new technologies and data access maintain or exceed pace compared to our adversaries.

The Landscape of Great Power Competition

The global landscape is now shaped by an intricate matrix of political, economic, technological, and military rivalries. Whether it's China's assertive stance in the South China Sea, Russia's influence campaigns, or Iran's regional ambitions – we are at a pivotal moment. To maintain our strategic advantage and uphold the rules-based international order, it's crucial that the US and our NATO and INDOPACOM allies invest in innovative technologies.

Why Small Businesses Must Step Up

While large defense contractors have traditionally dominated the government technology development sphere, the agility, adaptability, and innovation that small businesses bring to the table can no longer be sidelined.

1. Agility & Rapid Prototyping: Unlike behemoth corporations, small businesses can pivot quickly, adapting to the changing demands of modern warfare and intelligence operations. This agility is invaluable, enabling the rapid prototyping of tools, platforms, and solutions that can be game-changers on the global stage.

2. Niche Expertise: Small businesses often house niche expertise that isn't readily available in larger entities. Such specialized knowledge can be harnessed to address very specific intelligence and defense challenges.

3. Cost-Effectiveness: Small businesses, with their lean operations, can often provide cost-effective solutions without the overheads that sometimes bog down larger corporations.

Investing in the Future

The future of our national security will be shaped by data access and exploration, AI, cyber capabilities, advanced sensors, quantum computing, and more. By collaborating with the government, small businesses can gain access to resources, knowledge, and partnerships that can amplify their impact.

Additionally, by contributing to our nation's defense and intelligence apparatus, these enterprises not only fortify our national security but also bolster their own growth, tapping into a multi-billion-dollar industry and forming symbiotic relationships with the government.

A Shared Endeavor

In conclusion, while the challenges we face in the Great Power Competition are vast and complex, they also present immense opportunities. Small businesses, with their unique assets, are positioned to be at the vanguard of this new era. It's not just about business growth; it's about safeguarding our way of life and supporting our allies. By investing in government technology development, small businesses don't just drive innovation; they become essential pillars in our collective security.

We need all hands on deck to thrive in this new geopolitical landscape. Let's innovate, collaborate, and work together for a secure, prosperous future.