Aerospace & Defense - Deep Tech Summit
AI, Autonomy, Space & Dual-Use Deployment
An evening at AngelList examining the frontier of aerospace, defense, and deep technology.
Join SFPlayground during Deep Tech Week for a high-signal gathering of founders, investors, operators, and technical leaders building across autonomous drones, defense systems, aerospace infrastructure, advanced materials, robotics, orbital platforms, fusion, and dual-use technologies.
Through panel discussion, startup demo tables, and curated ecosystem conversation, we’ll explore the systems redefining aerospace, national security, and advanced manufacturing. Dinner and drinks included.
Featured Speakers
🎤 Moderator | Myra Nawabi
Aerospace and defense program executive with over 20 years of experience leading complex systems across space, defense, mission delivery, manufacturing, supply chain, and enterprise operations. Myra has led multidisciplinary teams across Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, PLX / Orolia Defense & Security, and L3Harris Technologies, bringing deep experience in program execution, systems-level leadership, risk management, and high-stakes technical delivery.
🛰️ Speaker | Kayden Ozdemir
Founder at KHARROS and astrophysicist working across aerospace, AI systems, and defense technology. Kayden brings a technical lens on orbital systems, space security, and the next generation of aerospace infrastructure.
🛡️ Speaker | Michael Thiessmeier
Cybersecurity & AI executive, President of Cyber Eagle, and Executive Director of the U.S. National AI and Cybersecurity ISAO. Michael works at the intersection of AI, cyber defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and allied technology strategy.
🏛️ Speaker | Manveer Sandhu
Principal at Bow Capital, Fairfield Councilmember, and Air Force Reserve intelligence professional. Manveer brings experience across venture capital, defense, civic leadership, economic development, and startup ecosystem building, with prior work in venture and corporate development at Plug and Play.
Topics on the Table
AI, Autonomy & Human-Machine Teaming
How AI is changing mission planning, ISR, command and control, and autonomous defense systems.Cyber Resilience in Modern Defense Systems
How connected and autonomous systems stay secure, trusted, and operational under attack.Dual-Use Startups & Defense Deployment
How startups move from prototype to mission-ready technology across procurement, validation, compliance, and field reliability.
Startup Demos
Selected startup demos will be announced soon.
Startups building in aerospace, defense, AI, autonomy, drones, space, robotics, cyber, advanced manufacturing, or dual-use technology are invited to apply here .
What to Expect
Panel discussion with leaders across aerospace, defense, AI, cyber, venture, and mission-critical technology
Startup demo tables from emerging companies building in the space
Dinner, drinks, and curated networking with founders, investors, engineers, operators, and ecosystem builders
Schedule
6:00 PM — Doors + Check In
6:30 PM — Panel Discussion + Talks
7:30 PM — Dinner, Networking + Demo Tables
9:00 PM — Event Concludes
Registration & Attendance
This event is open to founders, investors, engineers, operators, researchers, and builders working across aerospace, defense, deep tech, and dual-use technology.
Designed for people building, funding, or supporting the next generation of AI, autonomy, drones, space, cyber, robotics, and national-security technology.
Sponsors & Partners
AngelList creates tools for fund managers, investors, and startups to accelerate innovation.
This event is part of Deep Tech Week. Create a free profile at deep-tech-week.com/register to help hosts approve your registration and build your schedule for the week.