​GSIX (Global Security and Information Exchange)

​Day 2: Industrial Base Resilience | Japan

​Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Prototype-to-Production Scaling

​Presented by: Q-Branch, Japan Deeptech Accelerator, Invest & Trade Western Australia, German Accelerator, + Pflugerville Community Development Corp

​Join Q-Branch and GSIX partners for a full day focused on industrial base resilience, prototype-to-production scaling, and U.S.–Japan co-development opportunities.

​Day 2 brings together Japanese founders, allied industry leaders, investors, and defense stakeholders to discuss how dual-use companies move from early traction to scalable production capacity.

​Agenda

​9:00 AM | Doors Open

​9:30 AM | Breakfast with Japan Industries
First introductions of the day with Japanese founders and investors

​10:00 AM | Keynote Fireside Briefing: LTC Sam Spencer-Pittman: Private Capital Integrator-Army PIT
‍- Capital & Command: Inside the Army’s PIT Framework
- A direct conversation on how Army PIT leverages private venture capital

​10:30 AM | Panel: Operational Advantage: Hiring Veterans to Scale Dual-Use Startups w FORT HOOD
How dual-use startups and investors can leverage military transition pipelines like the Career Skills Program (CSP) to recruit military talent and build defense-ready teams.

​12:00 PM - 2:30 PM | AUSA & NSIC Lunch
Join us at the Upcoming AUSA Luncheon at Q-Branch!

​Discussion w/ Army Ground Vehicle System Center (45 min), U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jon Velishka, Deputy Commanding General of Support for the 25th Infantry Division, and lastly, the 1st Armored Division Transformation in Contact leadership (30 min)

​3:00 PM | Defense Workshop 101: Scaling the Industrial Base (Open Workshop w/ COL Michael Fleming)
How to partner with primes and suppliers to scale faster

​4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Japanese Innovation Happy Hour + Showcase
Sponsored by Japan Deeptech Accelerator
High-signal networking and showcase with international entrepreneurs after a full day of sessions

​About the Sponsors

​Q-Branch is a dual-use and defense innovation firm based in Austin, Texas, supporting international companies as they enter the U.S. market, navigate government procurement, and connect with defense, capital, and industrial partners.

​Pflugerville Community Development Center - Located along the SH-130 corridor with immediate access to Austin's technology and defense ecosystem, Pflugerville has become a hub for advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, aerospace, and emerging technologies. PCDC's economic development strategy emphasizes attracting high-value industries, strengthening regional partnerships, and supporting companies that contribute to national security, resilient supply chains, and the future of American manufacturing.

​Japan Deeptech Accelerator
Japan Deeptech Accelerator is a Japanese commercial and government accelerator program, supporting Japanese founders entering the U.S. market. Japan Deeptech Accelerator is helping anchor the U.S.–Japan innovation collaboration and industrial base.

​Invest & Trade Western Australia
Invest & Trade Western Australia connects global companies, investors, and governments with Western Australia’s trade, investment, energy, defense, and industrial ecosystem.

​German Accelerator
German Accelerator empowers German startups to scale globally. Through highly-customized programs, mentoring from local experts, and access to a vast network of business partners and investors, German Accelerator takes high-potential companies on a fast-paced learning journey into the world's leading innovation hubs. German Accelerator is run by Start2 Group and is proudly financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

​Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) is the leading organization representing and advancing the Asian American and Pan-Asian business community in Central Texas. Through advocacy, education, strategic connections, and international engagement, GAACC fosters economic growth, supports entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes, and strengthens Austin's role as a global hub for innovation, trade, and investment.

​Ezakaya Created by Sake Generation, Inc. EZACAYA Sake Seltzer is a naturally refreshing choice for celebrating every moment—made with clean ingredients, gluten-free, sulfite-free, and with no artificial sweeteners. Beyond sake, EZACAYA offers a new experience for a new generation: a fun, refreshing way to connect, celebrate, and belong. Let's Kanpai together at the Japan Happy Hour!

​*Schedule subject to change. As part of your participation in our event, we collect, use, and store personal data (i.e. information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person). With your registration, you confirm that you are willing for us to share your details with partners of the event.*