Defense Mavericks

Overcoming Bureaucracy in Defense Innovation with Jon Gruen

Mar 19, 2024

Former Navy SEAL turned CEO, Jon Gruen, discusses counter-drone strategies and challenges in defense innovation. Highlights include the under-resourced counter UAS efforts, evolution of drone threats, and the need for more than just innovation programs. Insights on succeeding as a startup in the DoD and protecting innovation from budget cuts. Also, an interesting mention of grilled cheese in hot chocolate.

29:32

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Episode guests

Jon Gruen

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Innovation in defense requires active engagement with field exercises and industry partners for technology development.

Startups in defense face obstacles like bureaucratic inefficiencies, budget limitations, and delayed production starts.

Deep dives

Innovative Business Approach in Defense Industry

Developing advanced defense technologies requires being actively engaged with field exercises, labs, warfare centers, and industry partners. The guest, John Gruen, CEO of Fordome Technologies, shared insights into their focus on counter-drone technology within the DOD. His diverse background from Navy SEAL to working at Lockheed Martin and in venture capital highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities and adapting to different sectors.

Introduction

3min

From Navy SEAL to CEO: A Transition in Leadership

5min

Navigating Challenges in Defense Innovation for Startups

17min

Exploring Historical Fiction, Biographies, and Language Learning for Personal Growth

2min

Exploring Food Pairings and Educating the Younger Generation in Defense Innovation

2min

This week, Bonnie is joined by Jon Gruen, CEO of Fortem Technologies and former Navy SEAL, to discuss counter-drone strategies and the challenges of fostering innovation in the defense space. Jon shares his insights on the intricacies of operating in the DoD, the capital-intensive nature of defense technology development, and the importance of education and partnerships in driving innovation within the industry. Tune in for an honest conversation on the current defense landscape and what is needed to overcome the bureaucracy within it.

TIMESTAMPS:

(4:04) Jon’s journey from Navy SEAL to CEO

(9:20) Why counter UAS was under-resourced

(11:42) The drone threat evolution

(16:59) Why innovation programs are not enough

(19:53) How to protect innovation from budget cuts

(24:01) What it takes to succeed as a startup in the DoD

(26:09) Jon does this every time he goes to a new country

(28:25) Grilled cheese in hot chocolate?

LINKS:

Follow Jon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-d-gruen/

Follow Bonnie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-evangelista-520747231/