Navigating the District
NAVIGATING THE DISTRICT: POLICY & FUNDING FOR CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY
Join us for an exclusive gathering where defense innovation meets venture capital on the West Coast, bringing DC insights to Santa Monica.
As the defense technology landscape rapidly evolves, the intersection of policy, funding, and critical technology has never been more crucial. This intimate forum brings together 60-80 key stakeholders from the defense innovation ecosystem, venture capital community, and policy circles for candid discussions on what's driving investment and strategic decisions in 2025.
What to Expect
Opening Brief (15-20 mins) Get insider perspectives from Cooley on the current VC investment landscape and DC policy developments that matter most to your portfolio and operations.
Interactive Panel Discussion Moderated by Travis DeMeester (DIU), our expert panel will dive deep into:
🏛️ Budget Realities: Navigate DOD/intel budget increases vs. potential cuts to NASA and regulatory agencies
💼 Deal Environment: Investment climate shifts, M&A trends, and evolving transaction approval processes
🛡️ Defense Policy Priorities: Geographic focus areas, use cases, onshoring implications, and foreign investment considerations
⚔️ Nature of Modern Warfare: From drones vs. anti-drone systems to GPS alternatives and emerging battlefield technologies
Who Should Attend
Defense Innovation Leaders: AUKUS, AFWERX/SpaceWERX, SOFWERX, DARPA, DIU, and other DoD stakeholders
Startup Ecosystem: Seed to pre-IPO founders building critical technologies
Investment Community: Established and emerging GPs, LPs focused on defense tech
Legal & Policy Experts: Regulatory specialists navigating the evolving landscape
Why Join
This isn't your typical conference. Expect frank conversations, actionable insights, and the kind of network-building that only happens when the right people gather in the right setting. Whether you're deploying capital, building critical technologies, or shaping policy, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of where the opportunities and challenges lie.
Limited to 60-80 attendees to ensure meaningful dialogue and networking.