What are the best questions for an investor or founder to ask?
Robert Seltzer
Product and Marketing Leader | AI and Strategic Advisor | Iraq War Veteran | ex-Intel , ex- SOCOM | Board Member | AI Newsletter | Real Estate Investor
(SemiIntelligent Newsletter Vol 3, Issue 16)
The Heilmeier Catechism. It is a set of questions originally developed by George H. Heilmeier, a former DARPA director, to help evaluate and prioritize research projects. The Heilmeier Catechism consists of the following questions:
These questions are designed to force researchers and project leaders to think critically about their proposed work, its novelty, potential impact, risks, and feasibility. The catechism emphasizes clear communication, understanding the current state-of-the-art, and defining measurable success criteria. It is widely used in various research and development contexts to evaluate and guide projects.
I decided to apply it to a problem that I have been considering for some time. It was much more challenging than I expected to get clarity and that is why it is a really good tool!
Objective
The objective is to develop a program that promotes career paths for leaders, enabling them to navigate between public and private sectors. This initiative will support the development of individuals through DARPA-funded projects that produce commercially viable technologies that are considered dueal-use.. The dual-use technologies are defined as those beneficial to national security agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), as well as to commercial private sector entities.
What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon!
The goal is to establish a program that prepares professionals to invest and engineer deep tech pertinent to both national security and the commercial sector, facilitating their transition between governmental and private industry roles. Moreover, this will have the added benefit of driving closer collaboration between the public and private sector. This is advantage present in countries like China and Israel today.
How is it done today, and what are the limitations of the present approach?
Currently, structured pathways for professionals to seamlessly transition between public and private sectors while engaging with dual-use technologies are limited. Challenges include cultural differences, the complexities of obtaining and maintaining security clearances, and insufficient incentives for professionals to move across sectors. In addition, ownership rights and financial incentives are lacking and confusing.
What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful?
The innovative approach includes financing the development of dual-use technologies through DARPA, coupled with a career development plan that supports the professional transitions between governmental and commercial sectors. This strategy is expected to be successful due to the alignment of incentives, shared goals across technologies, and the establishment of a talent pipeline that benefits both sectors.
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Who cares? If you are successful, what difference will it make?
Today, the time required for the government to deploy new technologies is equal to multiple product life-cycles in the private sector. The right incentives will shorten the path from invention to deployment for national security while at the same time reserving the value for commercialization. Professionals in these sectors would gain access to diverse experiences and enhanced career progression opportunities. The program is also likely to facilitate faster commercialization of government-funded technological innovations.
What are the risks and payoffs?
Potential risks include conflicts of interest, issues related to intellectual property rights, and the cultural integration challenges between sectors. Conversely, the expected payoffs are significant advancements in technology, economic growth, and a workforce that is both flexible and adept at handling dual-use technologies.
How much will it cost? How long will it take?
The financial requirements encompass funding for DARPA projects, administrative expenses, and incentives for participating professionals and companies. The implementation timeline envisages a phased approach, starting with pilot projects and progressing to a full-scale rollout over several years.
What are the midterm and final "exams" to check for success?
The midterm assessment will focus on the number of professionals who successfully transition between sectors, the development of successful dual-use technologies, and participant feedback. The final evaluation will measure the impact on national security capabilities, the launch of commercial products, and metrics related to talent retention and career advancement.
Summary
This analysis, guided by the Heilmeier Catechism, highlights the critical considerations, potential benefits, and challenges of the proposed program. It offers a detailed and structured evaluation of the concept, ensuring a thorough understanding of its objectives, innovative elements, impact, risks, and success measures.
Further Reading