Sessions

12 sessions / 40 speakers / 1 day

8:30 am9:20 am

50 min

Registration & Breakfast

break

Join us for breakfast and socializing before we kick things off.

9:20 am10:00 am

40 min

Keynote Confirmed: To Be Announced

keynote

Join us for the opening keynote with a surprise guest!

Moderator

Ahmad NasirCo-President, Stanford DEFCON

10:00 am10:15 am

15 min

Coffee Break

break

We'll take a break for coffee and socializing before kicking things off again.

10:15 am11:00 am

45 min

Prime vs. Founder

panel

We’ll explore how early-stage companies can effectively partner with large defense contractors, from navigating procurement cycles to aligning on technical milestones and security requirements. Founders will share perspectives from their entrepreneurial journeys, while CEOs will bring insight from their leadership within established primes. While we anticipate a lively exchange of ideas (with some spicy takes), the ultimate goal is to showcase collaboration and shared purpose in strengthening the National Security ecosystem.

Moderator

Andrew CouillardCo-President Stanford DEFCON

Speakers

Linden P. BlueCEO, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Andy YakulisCo-Founder & CEO, Vector
James BrownCo-Founder & CEO, Schemata
Chris MoranGM Lockheed Martin Ventures
Cameron McCordCo-founder & CEO, Nominal

10:15 am11:00 am

45 min

Plugging In: Startups and Best Practices for End User Feedback

panel

We’ll examine how early-stage defense-tech startups can effectively capture end-user feedback from operational units. Panelists will share lessons learned from commanding in training and innovation environments—offering practical insights on how to integrate at the tactical level, navigate initiatives like Transformation in Contact, and translate field feedback into meaningful product iteration.

Moderator

MAJ Chris CioffolettiGeneral Wayne A. Downing Scholar

Speakers

COL Dave WebbUS Army War College
Dr. Jeff DeckerManaging Director, Technology Transition for Defense Program
LTC Nate FoustNational Security Affairs Fellow, Hoover Institution

11:00 am11:15 am

15 min

Coffee Break

break

We'll take a break for coffee and socializing before kicking things off again.

11:15 am12:00 pm

45 min

Reindustrialization

panel

This event explores how founders and investors are driving the resurgence of advanced manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and dual-use technologies to strengthen economic competitiveness and national security.

Moderator

Nate LowCo-President, Stanford DEFCON

Speakers

Billy ThalheimerCEO, Regent
Keith FlynnSVP of Production, Anduril
Scott SandersChief Growth Officer, Forterra
Dan McKeeGovernor of Rhode Island
Christian KeilVice President, Astranis

11:15 am12:00 pm

45 min

Lessons from the Modern Battlefield

panel

Defense experts bring firsthand perspectives on combat challenges and how technology can transform outcomes on the battlefield and beyond.

Moderators

Gauthier VasseurDTSA Accelerator lead, SRI
Dmytro KushnerukConsul General of Ukraine in San Francisco

Speakers

Artem RomaniukovDigital Innovations Lead, Ministry of Defense Ukraine
Iryna ParagrafChief of Detection and Intelligence Section, Special Operations, Ukraine
Michael ObodCo-Founder Moodro
Bohdan SasCo-Founder Buntar Aerospace

12:00 pm1:00 pm

1 hr

Lunch

break

We'll take a break for lunch and socializing before kicking things off in the afternoon.

1:00 pm1:45 pm

45 min

AI

panel

This event highlights the intersection of defense technology and AI, bringing together founders, investors, and operators who are shaping this critical space.

Moderator

Abby ReinholdCo-President, Stanford DEFCON

Speakers

Andy MarkoffCo-Founder & CEO, Smack Technologies
Jonathan PanCo-Founder & CEO, Exia Labs
Dan TradossHead of Public Sector, Scale AI
Brian KatzHead of IC and Interagency, Vannevar Labs

1:00 pm1:45 pm

45 min

Pitch Competition

Join our expert venture judges in watching and grading a pitch competition with companies pushing the line forward in defense.

Moderators

Veronica DaiglePresident, Red Cell Partners
Conor LovePartner, Lightspeed Venture Partners
AJ BertoneManaging Partner, In-Q-Tel
Eric MenserFormer Startups Fellowship Lead, Palantir
Mike BrownPartner, Shield Capital

2:00 pm2:45 pm

45 min

Senior Government Panel

panel

High-ranking officials from past and present highlight why defense innovation is vital for national security and economic resilience.

Moderator

Steve BlankAdjunct Professor Stanford University

Speaker

To Be AnnouncedFormer Secretary of Defense

2:00 pm2:45 pm

45 min

Cyber Panel

panel

Experts on cyber security discuss emerging threats and the technologies shaping tomorrow’s digital battlefield.

Moderator

Nate LowCo-President, Stanford DEFCON

Speakers

Jack CableCEO, Corridor
Patrick O'BrienCEO, Autonomous Cyber
Michael SulmeyerProfessor of the Practice, Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service; Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy
Yoav RavidMBA Candidate, Stanford GSB
Emily LongCEO, Edera

2:45 pm3:00 pm

15 min

Coffee Break

break

We'll take a break for coffee and socializing before the final sessions of the afternoon.

3:00 pm3:45 pm

45 min

VC Panel: Closing Panel

panel

Top venture capital investors from across the industry share how they evaluate, fund, and support the next wave of defense startups.

Moderator

Stephen RodriguezOperating Partner, DCVC

Speakers

Raj ShahManaging Director, Shield Capital
Erin Price-WrightGeneral Partner, American Dynamism, a16z
Steve BowsherCEO, In-Q-Tel
Larsen JensenGeneral Partner, Harpoon Ventures

4:00 pm4:30 pm

30 min

Closing Keynote: Qasar Younis

keynote

Qasar’s journey embodies the American dream: from engineer at GM and Bosch, to founder of a startup acquired by Google, and COO of Y Combinator while Sam Altman was President —where he partnered with companies including OpenAI, Cruise, DoorDash, GitLab, Coinbase, and Flexport. Now, as co-founder of Applied Intuition—valued at $15B and trusted by 18 of the top 20 automakers—he’s building the software backbone for safe, intelligent machines across defense and commercial industries. With immigrant grit, startup savvy, and deep tech roots, Qasar is a leading voice at the intersection of Silicon Valley and national security.

Moderator

Andrew CouillardCo-President Stanford DEFCON

Speaker

Qasar YounisCo-founder Applied Intuition, Former COO Y Combinator

Stanford DEFCON · Gordian Knot Center · Stanford University

Sessions — programme

Sheet03 / 08