Investing in the Future: Funding Dual-use & Autonomous Tech Startups[VS04]

​LaunchT, an initiative of DC Startup & Tech Week, in collaboration with VC in DC, are thrilled to present "Investing in the Future: Funding Dual-use & Autonomous Tech Startups."

​This is your direct link to unlocking crucial capital and forging strategic partnerships in the booming world of autonomous and dual-use technologies. If you're a founder building innovations that serve both commercial markets and public/defense sectors, this event is for you.

​We're bridging the gap between visionary founders and the diverse investors eager to fund these high-growth areas. Explore the unique funding landscapes for dual-use ventures—from government contracts and specialized defense VC to traditional commercial investment. You'll gain invaluable insights into investor expectations, master pitching strategies tailored for dual-use applications, and learn to powerfully articulate your value proposition to attract significant capital.

​What You'll Learn:

​This conversation will provide actionable strategies and deep dives into:

• ​Navigating the Dual-Use Investment Landscape: Understand the unique opportunities and challenges in funding ventures that serve both commercial and public/defense sectors.

• ​Differentiating Due Diligence: Learn the key differences in investor expectations and due diligence processes for commercial versus defense/government applications.

• ​Articulating Your Dual-Use Value Proposition: Master pitching strategies tailored for dual-use applications and effectively communicate your value proposition across different markets.

• ​Scaling Simultaneously: Gain insights into how founders can successfully navigate government contracts and commercial scaling in parallel.

​Featured Speakers:

• ​Moderator: Thomas Higginbotham is the Founder and CEO of Kestrel Intelligence, a venture-backed company that builds agentic AI software for defense and intelligence. An Air Force veteran and former F-15E instructor, he previously worked at Google X and C3 AI. Thomas holds graduate degrees from Stanford and Villanova, blending deep technical, operational, and business expertise to lead Kestrel in automating sensor networking for scalable insights.
  

• ​Jamie Roberts, Head of North America Venture Studio at Stellantis Ventures Jamie is responsible for developing Stellantis’s North American startup ecosystem, sourcing startups for investment and strategic partnerships. He also oversees the global electrification startup strategy, driving innovation and aligning efforts with the company’s long-term objectives in EV batteries, energy autonomy, energy management, and energy solutions.
  

• ​Kaija Gisolfi-McCready, is an investor at Lockheed Martin focused on early-stage defense technologies spanning both advanced hardware and software systems. Her work centers on dual-use innovations in autonomy, AI/ML infrastructure, sensing, and secure communications, particularly those with applications across national security and commercial sectors.
  

• ​Lloyd Dabbs, Lloyd Dabbs is Director of Public Sector Business at SandboxAQ, an AI and Quantum start-up which recently closed a nearly $1B Series E round. He partners closely with leading technology experts, engineers, and scientists to educate federal partners on the criticality of American leadership in all areas of quantum technology.
  

• ​Tom Huntley, the General Manager of REGENT Defense, where he oversees all aspects of the company’s defense and government relations. With 22 years of experience in the Coast Guard as a helicopter search and rescue pilot and later as a budget director, he also served on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, overseeing the Department of Homeland Security's $80 Billion budget. This blend of military, aviation, and government expertise is crucial for the development of REGENT's revolutionary Seaglider.

​Who Should Attend:

​This discussion is designed for founders and technical leaders building cutting-edge autonomous and dual-use tech startups, as well as investors interested in these high-growth sectors. Whether you're building in Silicon Valley, London, Berlin, or beyond – this event is for you!

​Special Thanks:

​This event is made possible with the invaluable support of our partners:

• ​VC in DC

• ​The AI Collective

• ​E2MC

• ​NEXT by Shulman Rogers

​Sponsors

• ​​Golden Triangle BID

• ​​DC Startup & Tech Week