Crossing the Valley

About PeterPeter is the Chief Product Officer of Maxar Intelligence, bringing his passion for maps and 12 years at Palantir Technologies to this renaissance story. At Palantir, Peter developed the famed “ontology” and mapping technologies, helping transition the company's defense business from intelligence operations to real-time operational support. His background in theoretical chemistry gives him a distinctive lens through which he approaches the relationship between models and reality—a tension at the heart of both cartography and defense technology.About Maxar IntelligenceMaxar Intelligence began as DigitalGlobe, a pioneering Earth observation company. In 2017, Digital Globe was acquired by MDA, which was renamed Maxar. The company underwent significant transformations—being sold in 2019, taken private in 2022, and split into two business units (Maxar Intelligence and Maxar Space) in 2023.Maxar's bread and butter is high-resolution satellite imagery, specifically 30-centimeter class resolution data. This exquisite imagery serves as a foundation for more sophisticated data products. The company's Legion satellites represent their newest generation of sensing technology.But beyond imagery collection, Maxar has invested heavily in creating deep integrations with classified government systems—expertise they're now leveraging to create partnership frameworks for smaller, newer space companies. For example, their Direct Access Program allows international customers to install radio antennas and directly task satellites locally, embodying the shift from centralized to distributed space architecture.For more about Maxar: https://www.maxar.comFor more on Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterwilczynski/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 JoshJosh Lospinoso isn’t your average hacker. Most hackers aren’t Rhodes Scholars. As a kid growing up in New Jersey during 9/11, Josh was drawn to service - but he had no idea he’d soon be hacking military weapon systems. As an Army Cyber Officer, he discovered critical vulnerabilities in mission essential platforms that revealed a sobering reality: these sophisticated weapons systems (flying computers!) were dangerously vulnerable to cyber threats. So after spending years building cyber tools at the National Security Agency, he founded (and exited) his first startup, a cybersecurity outfit called Red Owl Analytics. And then, he dove into an even bigger challenge, head-on. His background - Rhodes Scholar, PhD in Statistics, veteran - gave him unique credibility with both the defense establishment and the venture community. And today, he’s at the forefront of one of the most important missions: securing our operational technology systems.For more Crossing the Valley: www.valleycrossers.comFor more on Shift5: https://shift5.io/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalospinoso/Follow Noah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahsheinbaum/ 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 Our GuestsWhen Thomas "T-Rob" Robinson joined Domino Data Lab eight and a half years ago, the company was focused on helping pharmaceutical companies and financial institutions build better AI models. With a background in math, computer science, and enterprise finance technology, he understood that the hardest problems in AI weren't about algorithms - they were about enabling domain experts to build trustworthy systems at scale. Meanwhile, Joel Meyer was at the Department of Homeland Security, leading their first AI task force and grappling with fundamental questions about how government could effectively adopt AI technology. Joel, like a number of government-to-startup guests before him, recognized a vendor that held the potential to address the very problems he was working from the inside. Today, T-Rob and Joel are working toward the shared vision of bringing enterprise-grade MLOps to critical national security missions.For more about Domino: domino.aiFor more about T-Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomassrobinson/For more about Joel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeltmeyer/ 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

Shannon Clark, an early team member of Palantir and a leader in innovation efforts, uncovers the secrets behind the company's meteoric rise in the defense tech sector. She shares how a flat organizational structure promotes collaboration and communication among teams. Clark discusses the game-changing Project Maven, which leverages AI for military applications, and emphasizes the importance of user feedback in product development. Reflecting on her journey, she highlights the challenges of being a woman in tech while forging meaningful connections in her career.

About VardaFounded in November 2020, Varda Space is revolutionizing manufacturing by taking it off-planet. Their thesis is remarkably straightforward: microgravity enables the creation of materials impossible to make on Earth, and pharmaceuticals—the most expensive chemicals per kilogram—are the perfect starting point. In less than three years, they've designed, built, and landed the world's first commercial space factory. They're one of only three companies globally with commercial reentry vehicles, alongside SpaceX and Boeing. The difference? Varda's capsule, unburdened by human rating requirements, can do it cheaper and more frequently than anyone else. 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 Overwatch ImagingFounded in Hood River, Oregon, Overwatch Imaging is changing how the industry processes aerial sensor data through automation. Rather than building another drone company, they're creating technology that makes every aerial platform smarter. Their automated sensor operator software tackles a critical challenge: helping small teams process massive amounts of aerial data efficiently. The company, now 30 people strong, has evolved from supporting emergency response to providing crucial capabilities across defense and commercial applications. They're proving that you don't need to be in a traditional tech hub to build world-changing technology.For more about Overwatch: https://www.overwatchimaging.com/For more Crossing the Valley: LinkedIn | X | YouTubeFollow Greg: LinkedInFollow Noah: LinkedIn | X 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

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