Crossing the Valley

Darkhive, founded in the fall of 2021, aims to address the critical gap in the defense community by building affordable, high-performance tactical drones that are designed with the end-user in mind. The company places a strong emphasis on open, discoverable systems that can be easily integrated with existing infrastructure, ensuring that their products remain useful and adaptable over time. Darkhive has secured multiple government contracts, including a Phase III award from Autonomy Prime, and has received widespread support from various branches of the military, including the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. 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 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

David Brown, CEO of CounterCraft, joins Noah to discuss the company's journey in the digital security industry. David covers the company's foray into the American market, its partnership strategies, and plans for future growth. Timestamps:00:00-00:45: The Evolution of Deception in Warfare and IT 03:04-03:26: Spanish Cybersecurity Startup's Unique Approach 04:37-06:10: Countercraft's Deception Platform 09:16-12:43: Early Days: From Commercial to Government 13:39-16:52: Scaling through Partnerships 29:06-31:38: Democratizing Deception Technology 35:33-36:12: What's Next for Counter Craft 36:31-37:43: Advice for Startup Founders For more visit: https://www.countercraftsec.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

Ben Kohlmann, a retired F-18 pilot turned defense investor, and Dan Magy, a seasoned defense founder and CEO of Firestorm Labs, dive into the evolving defense landscape. They explore the revolutionary role of drone swarms in modern warfare and the hurdles startups face in military innovation. They discuss the missed opportunities in the Ukraine conflict and the importance of real-world testing. With a focus on building relationships for defense tech startups, they highlight strategies to navigate government procurement and the art of effective storytelling in Congress.

In this week’s Crossing the Valley, Noah sits down with Hank Holland, CEO of Amaero International, a modern manufacturing company that’s increasingly involved in modernizing America’s industrial base. 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 episode of Crossing the Valley Noah sits down with Greer Carper, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Fortem Technologies. Timestamps: 00:00-03:59: A Journey through Defense Technology Development 03:59-07:04: Moving from Investing to Operating in a Growing Company 07:55-08:47: Navigating Strategy Roles in Startups 10:00-12:38: From Commercial Markets to the Defense Space 18:45-22:02: Leveraging RDTE Funding 22:50-24:23: Navigating the Trade-offs in Counter-UAS Systems 26:10-27:00: International Expansion 27:30-28:45: Next Steps in Defense Contracts and Counter-UAS Innovations 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 episode of Crossing the Valley, I had the pleasure of speaking with Misha Govshteyn, the CEO of Macrofab, a Texas-based cloud manufacturing company that is working to revitalize American manufacturing. With a network of over 100 factories across the United States and Mexico, Macrofab supplies defense contractors and helps them produce goods quickly, cost-effectively, and at a higher quality, all while keeping production closer to home. 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

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.

In this episode of Crossing the Valley, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jade Baranski, the founder and CEO of Mobilize. Mobilize is a company that connects end users within the federal government to the companies that provide the capabilities they need.Jade shares the story of how VISION came to be, starting with their participation in an Air Force pitch competition, with twists turns and pivots along the way. The end result is Vision, a data platform, has changed the way data is used in the defense “innovation” and acquisition communities to match buyers and sellers.For more on the Mobilize team, check out mobilizevision.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

CTV Subscribers,I’m excited to bring you this timely episode of "Crossing the Valley." I had the opportunity to sit down with Kara Kramer, the Director of Business Development at AeroVironment, and winner of the first Replicator award!In this episode, Kara spills the beans on AeroVironment's recent win, and goes in depth on the Switchblade loitering munition. We dive into the details of the program, the future of autonomy in the defense industry, and AeroVironment itself.Kara shares valuable insights on the importance of focusing on customer requirements, the benefits of working with both startups and large companies, and the significance of scalability in defense innovation.If you're interested in learning more about AeroVironment, their role in the Replicator initiative, and the future of autonomy in defense, this episode is a must-listen.If you’d like to learn more about AeroVironment, or to join the team, check out avinc.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