Crossing the Valley

Scott Sanders, Chief Growth Officer of Forterra and a former MARSOC team leader, shares insights into transforming defense technology. He emphasizes the crucial difference between customer needs and wants in developing ground autonomy systems. Trust and partnerships are vital in navigating complex military sales campaigns, such as the collaborative Rogue Fires project. Sanders also discusses the impact of innovative technology on military capabilities, focusing on enhancing firepower while keeping personnel safe, and addresses the evolving challenges faced by startups in the defense sector.

Kyle Olson's path to defense tech started in a firefight. As a Marine Raider Team Commander in Iraq in 2020, he found himself coordinating airstrikes with a broken military radio. The solution? A forbidden Iraqi cell phone and Signal messaging app. That moment crystallized something he'd long suspected: commercial technology had outpaced military equipment in many areas. Instead of heading to business school as planned, Kyle joined Fairwater Labs, where he's now COO, helping build the next generation of defense tech companies.Spun out of a major Bay Area VC firm, Fairwater Labs is productizing the defense innovation process. Unlike traditional venture studios that retain majority ownership, Fairwater gives founders control while providing deep operational support. They've developed a systematic approach to identifying market opportunities, matching them with the right founders, and supporting early growth. The model is working: their first company achieved a successful exit within 36 months, and they're on track to launch four new companies in 2024.For more on Fairwater: fairwaterlabs.comFor more about Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-o/For more Crossing the Valley: https://youtube.com/@crossingthevalley 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

In this engaging conversation, Logan Selby, CEO of DataShapes AI, and Kevin Larrabee, Head of Product, share insights from their experiences transitioning from military to tech leadership. They discuss the exciting evolution from healthcare to electronic warfare, highlighting challenges in technology integration. Trust-building in military operations and aligning projects with user needs are key themes. The duo also explores the future of data-driven growth and the collaborative prospects between defense and commercial applications, showcasing innovation in operational efficiency.

About Strike SolutionsFounded two years ago in Nevada, Strike Solutions is seeking to make sense of the IoT data explosion. Their flagship product, Thunderdome, is a multi-modular sensor fusion platform that processes spectrum data at the tactical edge. By correlating signals with video feeds for facial and license plate recognition, Thunderdome provides crucial situational awareness for operators.Strike also recently launched Prism, a packet capture solution that helps customers identify compromises in their tech stacks. Both products demonstrate Strike's ability to rapidly develop and deploy capabilities that solve immediate operational needs.For more:On Strike Solutions: strikesolutions.ioOn Emma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaprz/On Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-%E2%80%9Cpacman%E2%80%9D-spach-4ab077111/ 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

About the Garrett and DaveIn 2019, Marine reconnaissance veteran Garrett Smith looked at tactical operators' challenges and saw something most others missed. While the industry chased large, networked systems, Smith recognized a fundamental gap: warfighters at the tactical edge lacked the software tools to make sense of their growing data streams. As a former Reconnaissance, Intelligence, and Infantry Officer, a graduate of Stanford University's Ford Dorsey Program in International Policy Studies, and a former head of business development at Kespry, Garrett had the perspective, network, and know-how to do something about it.He’s joined on this episode by Dave Caudle, Reveal’s VP of Defense and Security, and an Army infantry veteran in his own right.Notably, both Garrett and Dave continue to serve in reserve units, maintaining direct connection with their user base. Their technical leadership includes a number of additional Silicon Valley operators who bring deep technical expertise to these defense challenges.For more on Reveal: https://www.revealtech.ai/For more on Garrett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgarrettsmith/For more on Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-caudle-10223270/For more Crossing the Valley: www.valleycrossers.com 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

About BazzeFounded in 2019, Bazze is an intelligence platform designed to transform how the defense and intelligence community accesses and utilizes commercial data. The company's platform enables users to know everything about a person, place, or thing using exclusively commercial data sources. Users of Bazze technology can quickly identify potential security risks and gather comprehensive intelligence using publicly available information.For more on Bazze, or if you’re interested in checking out their products, head over to bazze.ioFor more on Sammy, you can follow him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/semwangu/ 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

This summer, Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) at Georgetown published the paper Building the Tech Coalition: How Project Maven and the U.S. 18th Airborne Corps Operationalized Software and Artificial Intelligence for the Department of Defense (check it out here).Today’s episode dives deep into the case, highlighting a crucial illustration of successful defense innovation. 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

About ChrisChristopher Kirchhoff has been a key figure in many major developments in defense and national security over the past decade. He served as Obama's director for strategic planning at the National Security Council, was a senior civilian aide to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and authored influential reports on America's war in Iraq, the space shuttle Columbia disaster, and the Ebola response. Crucially, along with Raj Shah, Kirchhoff helped establish the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx), which has become a vital piece in bringing modern technology into the mission of national defense. 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

In this engaging conversation, John Goodson, CEO and co-founder of Darkhive, shares insights from his journey transitioning from a special operator to an entrepreneur in the tactical drone industry. He discusses the critical need for integration in defense technology and how his company addresses gaps in the sector. Goodson highlights the importance of aligning personal values with technology development, navigating government contracts, and fostering an ethos rooted in service and community. His experiences shed light on the evolving dynamics of military and civilian collaboration.

In this episode of "Crossing the Valley," we are joined by Ian Kalin, CEO and founder of Turbine One, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in bringing innovative technology to the defense sector.Key topics covered:- Ian's diverse background from Navy counterterrorism officer to tech entrepreneur- The mission of Turbine One and its focus on edge AI for warfighter safety- Navigating the complex landscape of defense contracting and acquisitions- The importance of exercises and field testing in product development- Overcoming obstacles in the "frozen middle" of defense procurement- The key elements needed for success in defense tech startupsIan shares candid insights on the realities of building a defense tech company, including dealing with industry incumbents, protecting intellectual property, and aligning with warfighter needs. This episode offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to make an impact in the defense and national security space. 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