Starts programs expose customers in the national security community to dual-use startup ventures that may be able to solve problems with analogous technology in the private sector. The Starts program aims to improve the sustainable growth of ventures that address both commercial and service member problems. We seek to promote deeper customer development in areas of problem identification, rapid contracting pathways, and cross-service collaboration.

Growing the Dual-Use Venture Ecosystem

Starts programs are held in regional innovation hubs across the United States. Past events have been held in New York City, Austin, Los Angeles, Denver and San Francisco. We have partnered with national and regional organizations such as Partnership for New York City, Defense Entrepreneurs Forum, The University of Southern California, and Founders Fund and with DoD customers such as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), F-35 Joint Program Office, Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence, and Networks (C3I&N), Hanscom Air Force Base. Starts programs also serve to catalyze a sustained dialogue about national security problem-solving in the regions in which our events take place. Driven by real-world service member needs, the Starts program connects senior DoD officers, entrepreneurs and the national security community in order to accelerate the adoption of solutions offered by dual-use ventures.