Breaking into Selling to the Government: Why It Matters & How to Win
💡 Unlock $1M+ in Non-Dilutive Capital & Navigate the Path to Government Partnerships
Light dinner will be provided.
Dinner Menu
Beef Brisket
Grilled Chicken
Potato Salad with Bacon
Mac & Cheese
Bolognese Pasta
[Vegetarian] Mushroom Risotto
[Vegan] Salad
Government contracts and funding present a massive, often-overlooked opportunity for startups. Join us for an exclusive panel discussion featuring founders who have secured over $1M in non-dilutive capital and insights from IQT (In-Q-Tel) on how venture-backed startups can align with national security priorities.
🔥 What to Expect:
Proven strategies for securing SBIR/STTR grants, government contracts, and non-dilutive funding
Insights from founders who have successfully worked with the government and scaled their businesses
IQT’s perspective on how startups can break into defense, intelligence, and other key sectors
How to obtain a classified clearance and what it takes to work on sensitive government projects
Networking with entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals interested in government funding opportunities
🎯 Who Should Attend?
Startup founders & entrepreneurs
Investors interested in government-backed innovation
Business leaders exploring non-dilutive capital
Professionals interested in securing classified clearance for government contract
Panelist Bios
Charlie McGillis
Transformational Leader | Space Ops & Policy | TEDx Speaker | Board Member | Advisor | Mentor | STEM Advocate
Charlie McGillis is the VP, Public Sector at The Provenance Chain™ Network, where she leads their federal business and has been successful in winning government contracts. She was previously SVP at Slingshot Aerospace where she helped lead 2 M&A's and 4x growth including a STRATFI. She served over 26 years in the USAF as an intelligence officer and brings space operations, policy, and strategic leadership. As a board member and advisor, Charlie connects industry and government leaders to drive innovation and space sustainability. She is passionate about STEM education for young girls, so she actively participates in programs through AstraFemina and is an avid golfer.
Capella Kerst
Founder & CEO, geCKo Materials
Capella Kerst leads geCKo Materials, a revenue-stage startup revolutionizing adhesion technology. Her company has developed a patented process mimicking gecko-inspired nano-adhesion with major industry clients such as NASA, GE, Honda, Ford, and Samsung. With $1M in revenue from pilot projects and an oversubscribed $8M seed round, geCKo Materials is poised for rapid growth in the semiconductor, automotive, and space industries. Capella holds a PhD in engineering from Stanford and has built a seasoned leadership team to scale the company.
Chase Brignac
Senior DevOps & AI Engineer | NASA | Former YC S22 | Founder
Chase Brignac is an accomplished DevOps and AI engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with expertise in spacecraft operations, AI-driven automation, and DevOps for mission-critical applications. His past work includes testing and calibrating mass spectrometers for Martian rovers (Curiosity & ExoMars) and the MAVEN satellite. Chase has also played a key role in maintaining the operational success of Landsat 8, ensuring 100% uptime in data capture. With experience as a startup founder in the YC S22 batch, he brings a unique perspective on merging AI, automation, and getting classified clearance.
Allison Skager
Government Contracts Attorney, Crowell & Moring LLP
Allison Skager is a seasoned attorney specializing in government contracts, procurement law, and regulatory compliance. She advises startups and established enterprises on navigating federal procurement processes, compliance challenges, and securing government contracts. As a key legal expert in the field, Allison helps companies understand the complexities of selling to government agencies and avoiding common legal pitfalls in contracting.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how government partnerships can fuel your company’s growth without giving up equity.