The Future of NatSec100
The Future of NatSec100 brought together founders, investors, defense prime executives, and Department of War leaders for a forward-looking discussion on where defense and dual-use innovation is gaining momentum.
Hosted by Silicon Valley Defense Group in partnership with Franklin Templeton and RTX Ventures, the event spotlighted high-growth companies building capabilities across autonomy and sensing, deep tech development and manufacturing, and battlespace integration.
Through ecosystem briefings, a fireside chat on corporate venture as a catalyst for national security innovation, thematic pitch showcases, and curated networking, the program highlighted the companies and technologies shaping the future of the U.S. and allied national security industrial base.
We are grateful to Franklin Templeton for hosting us on its San Mateo campus and to RTX Ventures for partnering with us to bring this convening to life. We also want to thank the participating companies that shared their work and perspectives: Darkhive, Axilon, Lumafield, Dirac, Valinor, Code Metal, NODA AI, and Integrate.
The conversations throughout the day reinforced a central theme behind the NatSec100: defense innovation is no longer just about promising technologies. It is about identifying the companies that are scaling, engaging government and industry partners, and translating innovation into real-world impact for the warfighter.
Look out for the NatSec100 release on May 26, 2026 at www.natsec100.org.
With Love, The Valley
Hello DC, its Me, Silicon Valley. Let's Catch Up.
It's been a while.
We should hang.
A lot has happened since we were seeing each other back in the 80s. And wasn't that a great time, though? Us plus Reagan and Thatcher and the Pope and the Polish Union Guy with the hard-to-spell name and Charlie Wilson crushed the Russkie Commies while creating the internet, fiber optic networking, GPS, etc. These silly Zillenials don't even know what we did for them back in the day. They like totally owe us.
Hello DC, its Me, Silicon Valley. Let's Catch Up.
It's been a while.
We should hang.
A lot has happened since we were seeing each other back in the 80s. And wasn't that a great time, though? Us plus Reagan and Thatcher and the Pope and the Polish Union Guy with the hard-to-spell name and Charlie Wilson crushed the Russkie Commies while creating the internet, fiber optic networking, GPS, etc. These silly Zillenials don't even know what we did for them back in the day. They like totally owe us.
I really miss the old days. Sorry I haven't kept up so good. I got busy building Peace Dividend Tech and the fun defense companies we used to hang out with all merged, got sold off, got bored with us, I don't know. I never see them anymore.
But then who could even know but I bumped into a DOD person out here the other day!! I was like, whoa, where'd the decades go?? She invited me to meet her new Prime Contractor CVC friend. I used to love those Defense Primes - I said yes but I hope this newbie isn't too lame. Very exciting.
And I know you heard rumors about me hanging with those Chinese VC types.
Like I'm not sure what to say. I can't deny it. You had been gone forever already and they had fun stuff like movies, music, and video game deals. How was I supposed to know they were poaching IP, sneaking into all of America's living rooms through social media, and taking the democratic patches off of Maverick's flight jacket in Top Gun 2 filming...but they are gone now thanks to some savvy good ole American Industrial Policy. So you don't need to worry about them.
So anyway, just let me know which lawyers I need to talk to so I can get approval to email you about maybe getting a coffee in the next year or two when your scheduler can find time in your busy $800B schedule to catch up with an old non-trad special friend...kthx.
With Love,
The Valley