Crossing the Valley

Season 2 Ep 4: Vannevar Labs is Changing the Defense Tech Paradigm

Jun 26, 2024

Guests Brett Granberg and Nini Hamrick from Vannevar Labs discuss the company's rapid growth, profitability, and future plans in defense tech. They highlight building trust with customers, working with champions, and talent hiring strategies. The podcast explores the journey from idea to fundraising, early customer validation, and strategic decision-making in defense technology startups.

47:25

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Episode guests

Nini Hamrick

Brett Granberg

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Vannevar Labs focuses on mission outcomes over fixated solutions, driving product development efficiency.

Vannevar Labs' impressive growth trajectory, from a Stanford dorm room to $49 million in annual contract value, sets them apart in defense tech.

Engaging with end users and securing early pilots are crucial for validating problem-solving approaches and driving impactful solutions in defense tech.

Deep dives

Focus on Mission Outcome for Product Development

Product bets at Vannevar Labs are centered around solving a particular mission problem rather than fixating on specific solutions. This approach emphasizes generating mission outcomes for the products developed, ensuring alignment with the core purpose of the company.

Intro

3min

Journey from Idea to Fundraising in Defense Tech Startup

3min

Early Customer Validation and Strategic Decision Making in Securing Contracts

3min

Building Trust and Finding Champions in Defense Technology

12min

Growth and Mission Drive in Defense Tech Companies

24min

Rapid-fire Q&A on Partnerships, Sales, VC Funding, and Technology Preferences

2min

About Vannevar Labs

Vannevar Labs is building the next-generation “non-kinetic defense prime.”

Today, they're mentioned in the same breath as defense behemoths like Anduril and Palantir. Since founding the company in their Stanford dorm room in 2019, CEO Brett Granberg and President Nini Hamrick have grown the company dramatically. From $3.5 million in annual contract value in 2021, they did $25 million in 2022, before growing to $49 million last year.

What's even more crazy is, unlike most of their peers, they're already profitable. Brett and Nini know that defense modernization is not a fight that's going to be won by one company alone.

Check us out at ValleyCrossers.com and frontdoor.substack.com for the full writeup!

Timestamps

00:00:00-00:00:34 - Introduction to Vannevar Labs

00:00:34-00:01:50 - Founding Story

00:04:22-00:05:55 - Reactions to Starting a Defense Tech Company

00:09:29-00:11:55 - Building Trust with Customers

00:13:17-00:17:41 - Selecting and Working with Champions

00:26:30-00:28:51 - Transitioning to Larger Programs

00:36:30-00:39:58 - Future Plans and Growth of Vannevar Labs

00:40:09-00:45:50 - Talent and Hiring at Vannevar Labs

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.valleycrossers.com

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Crossing the Valley

Season 2 Ep 4: Vannevar Labs is Changing the Defense Tech Paradigm

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Focus on Mission Outcome for Product Development

Rapid Growth and Profitability

Early Customer Validation and Pilot Selection

Building Trust and Identifying Champions

Strategic Expansion and Multi-Product Approach

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts