Human Capital, Informal Networks, and Defense Entrepreneurs Forum with Jesse Levin

Callye Keen and Chelsea Roberts (Meggitt) discuss the evolving landscape of the defense industry, particularly for small businesses. Chelsea shares insights on recent changes in government contracting, the importance of rapid prototyping, and the need for small businesses to adapt to new acquisition processes. They also explore the role of Collaborative Compositions in supporting small businesses and the common pitfalls to avoid in government contracting. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Defense Industry and Small Business Opportunities02:00 Recent Changes in the Defense Acquisition Landscape07:20 The Importance of Rapid Prototyping and User Feedback12:45 Navigating Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Acquisition Methods20:23 Chelsea Meggitt's Background and Collaborative Compositions28:46 The Need for Education and Resources in GovCon34:25 Advice for Innovators and Startups in the Defense SectorAbout ChelseaChelsea is the founder and CEO of Collaborative Compositions, a consulting firm dedicated to guiding small and mid-sized businesses through the complexities of federal contracting. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Chelsea specializes in helping clients launch and expand their government contracting ventures, ensuring they have the strategies and systems in place to secure and manage contracts effectively.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseadroberts/Website: https://collaborativecompositions.com/

Callye Keen sits down with community-builder Jesse Levin to explore why people, not hardware, are the decisive edge in modern defense. From grassroots networks in Ukraine to DEF’s “virtuous insurgency,” the conversation unpacks how informal connectors accelerate innovation and why manufacturing talent is America’s silent super-power.Topics We CoverHuman capital as the “non-sexy” but essential innovation layerLessons from two-plus years on the ground in Ukraine and the rise of 24-hour tech cyclesManufacturing-at-the-edge and fixing gear in theaterDEF 2.0, local AgorasRe-energizing trades & STEM talent for national resilienceKey TakeawaysHumans over hardware. Innovation succeeds when high-trust “movers and shakers” inside and outside the institution link up .Informal networks are a strategic capability. DEF’s community acts as a “bat-phone” that can move mountains during crises .Edge manufacturing is mission-critical. Ukraine proved that rapid repair skills often outclass shiny new drones .A cultural shift is coming. An emerging cohort craves purposeful, hands-on work—opening new on-ramps to defense tech .Highlights00:02 | Callye welcomes Jesse and sets the stage02:00 | Why human terrain beats shiny gear06:30 | Ukraine and hard truths about wasted hardware09:45 | Manufacturing at the edge & Building Momentum shout-out16:40 | Humanizing the defense industry for outsiders25:30 | DEF 2.0 launch, Agoras, and moving the convo to SignalResources & LinksDEF.org – Join an Agora or learn about DEF 2.0Tactivate – Jesse’s community activation workBuilding Momentum – Hands-on rapid-prototyping coursesConnectJesse Levin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-levin/Callye Keen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callyekeen/“Informal networks are a weapon system.” — Jesse LevinEnjoying the show? Leave us a review and share this episode with a friend.

Callye Keen and Matt Hawkins discuss the evolving landscape of market intelligence in the defense sector, emphasizing the importance of relationships, rapid technology integration, and the challenges faced by startups. They explore the significance of teaming strategies, the procurement process, and emerging technology trends, particularly in autonomy and material science. The discussion highlights the need for innovative solutions to address complex problems and the iterative processes required for successful technology development.TakeawaysRelationships are crucial in the national security ecosystem.Understanding the market landscape is essential for startups.Bureaucratic processes hinder innovationTeaming with other companies can enhance chances of winning contracts.Prototyping and iterative development are key to innovation.The government is increasingly interested in commercial technologies.Emerging technologies like autonomy and material science present significant opportunities.Boring problems often hold the key to successful innovations.Market fit is critical for technology adoption in defense.Navigating the procurement landscape requires strategic insight.

In this episode of The Startup Defense, host Callye Keen speaks with Sammy Semwangu, founder and CEO of Bazze, an intelligence targeting and early warning platform. The conversation dives deep into the strategic shift toward leveraging commercial data for defense and national security operations. Sammy shares his journey from the intelligence and special operations community to founding a startup that challenges how the U.S. government acquires and uses data.Bazze helps U.S. and allied defense organizations access real-time, unclassified commercial data—ranging from device location to satellite imagery—on a "query in place" basis, bypassing the inefficiencies and high costs of bulk dataset purchases. This allows for 10x efficiency in data discovery, enabling faster and more mission-relevant decision-making.Callye and Sammy also examine government procurement culture, the pitfalls of rotating talent, and how policy inertia slows progress. Sammy’s startup journey—from his first company to building Bazze into a profitable, venture-backed business—is an inspiring case study in resilience and clarity of mission.Key TopicsWhat Bazze Does A data marketplace that enables defense users to access specific commercial datasets Why Commercial Data Matters In a world of resource constraints and rising threats, harnessing unclassified commercial data is faster, cheaper, and more scalable than traditional classified workflowsGovernment’s Legacy Culture: Sammy discusses the government’s “build everything in-house” mindset versus buying commercial solutions, Callye compares it to reinventing the Raspberry Pi for millions of dollarsThe Talent Management Crisis: Insightful critique of how the frequent rotation of personnel in government projects kills innovation momentum. Sammy shares a firsthand example from a SBIR Phase II contract where the initiative died as champions PCS’ed (moved) midstreamStartup vs. Government Life: Sammy reflects on the cultural and operational differences between government service and startup life—from expectations and language to performance pressure and team dynamicsBazze’s Growth Path: With current deployments in the U.S., UK, Australia, and expanding into Northern Europe, Bazze is doubling its team size, hiring in SF, London, Canberra, and D.C., and raising a Series A to scale further.Quotes"Why send a team into the field when you can just buy the data online?" — Sammy Semwangu"Progress shouldn't rely on heroic effort." — Sammy Semwangu"Startups are like religions—you’re convincing people this is the future and asking them to believe." — Sammy SemwanguAbout Sammy SemwanguSammy Semwangu is the founder and CEO of Bazze, a platform transforming how government agencies access commercial data for national security applications. With over a decade in intelligence and special operations, Sammy is on a mission to modernize data strategy in defense. He previously worked at Red Owl and co-founded the U.S. Civilian Corps. 

Callye Keen interviews Nick Adams from Washington Office, discussing the intersection of technology and policy, particularly in the defense sector. They explore the importance of strategic communications, business development, and government relations for startups, emphasizing the need for effective representation in Washington. Nick shares insights from his legislative experience, including the Chips for America Act, and highlights the changing narrative around manufacturing and the opportunities that arise amidst the chaos in DC.TakeawaysA lot to be excited about in defense tech.Startups must actively participate in shaping the future.Speed is critical for startups seeking government contracts.Effective storytelling can amplify a startup's message.Building relationships in DC is essential for success.The narrative around manufacturing needs to change for better representation.Legislation like Chips for America is crucial for supply chain security.Understanding the political landscape is key for startups.Chaos in Washington can lead to new opportunities for innovation.

Callye Keen and Paul Gus Garcia discuss the intersection of innovation and national security technology. They explore the challenges and opportunities in bridging the gap between emerging technologies and military needs, emphasizing the importance of defining outcomes, effective prototyping, and the role of decision-makers in facilitating innovation. The discussion highlights the SigmaBlox initiative, which aims to connect innovators with military end-users to validate and implement new solutions.TakeawaysPaul is passionate about technology for national security.There is a significant digital divide in technology adoption.SigmaBlox aims to bring together a community around national security tech.Defining outcomes is crucial for effective innovation.Prototyping allows for rapid testing and feedback.Decision makers play a vital role in the innovation process.Many solutions are already available but not utilized effectively.Asking better questions leads to better technology solutions.The current procurement process is slow and needs to adapt.Engagement across sectors is essential for successful innovation.About Gu$LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-gus-garcia/

Callye Keen and Keith Palmisano discuss the innovative work being done at Rampart in the field of communication technology, particularly in defense applications. They explore the importance of understanding the physical layer of communication, the challenges of developing hard tech, and the significance of customer-centric product development. Keith shares insights on navigating the complexities of the startup landscape, including the 'valley of death' that many hard tech founders face, and emphasizes the need for collaboration within the startup community to drive innovation.TakeawaysRampart is innovating in the communication space, focusing on defense and commercial applications.Understanding the physical layer of communication is crucial for security."Layer Zero" security is foundational and often overlooked in cybersecurity discussions.Breaking the kill chain is essential for effective transmission security.Hard tech development faces unique challenges, including funding and commercialization.Customer-centric design is vital for successful product development.Navigating the valley of death is a common struggle for hard tech founders.Collaboration within the startup community can lead to transformative solutions.Product-focused thinking should evolve from simple solutions to complex systems.The right timing and market need are critical for startup success.About Keith PalmisanoKeith Palmisano has over two decades of experience in cybersecurity — the majority in the US Executive Branch, as a research scientist, operations officer and technical leader. He’s made a career of researching vulnerabilities, leading teams of engineers and analysts, and communicating vetted and valuable intelligence to US policymakers. He is a recognized leader in wireless communications, offensive and defensive information security, and physical layer security. Keith holds a B.S. degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Grove City College.LinksWebsite: https://rampartcommunications.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpactual/ 

Callye Keen interviews Chase Blanton from SatCube, delving into the evolving landscape of the space economy and advanced communications. They discuss the future of wireless communication, the challenges of navigating national security in defense tech, and Chase's personal journey from military communications to leading a tech startup. The conversation highlights the importance of user experience in technology, the potential of quantum computing, and the need for agility in the rapidly changing tech environment.TakeawaysThe space economy is rapidly evolving with new technologies.Quantum edge computing will revolutionize communications.The future of connectivity may eliminate the need for physical cables.Chase Blanton's military background shaped his approach to leadership.Navigating national security is complex for foreign partnerships.SatCube focuses on user experience in their products.The defense tech industry faces unique challenges in agility and innovation.Sales in tech can be a form of problem-solving.Transitioning veterans often find their way back to defense tech.The future of communication is moving towards a wireless, interconnected world.LinksSatCube: https://satcube.com/Chase Blanton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-blanton/

 Callye Keen talks with Luke Fischer, CEO and co-founder of SkyFi, about democratizing satellite technology. Luke shares his journey from military service to tech entrepreneurship, detailing the innovations at SkyFi that make satellite imagery and data more accessible and affordable. They discuss into the challenges of satellite technology, the future of the industry, and Luke's role in the upcoming community event "Austin 4 America." SkyFi is changing the landscape by allowing users from various sectors to easily task satellites and utilize earth intelligence like never before. Episode Highlights:Luke Fischer's Journey: From serving in the army and working at Uber to co-founding SkyFi. Luke's diverse background from military service to tech innovation has equipped him with unique insights into both the defense and commercial sectors.What is SkyFi? An earth intelligence platform that simplifies the process of accessing satellite and aerial data for various uses—from agriculture to defense.The Power of Satellite Imagery Today: Luke discusses how SkyFi enables anyone from government agencies to private individuals to task satellites and gather real-time data, which was once a capability reserved for a select few.Challenges in Satellite Technology: Luke talks about the technical and regulatory hurdles they face and how SkyFi is navigating these challenges.Democratizing Space Data: A deep dive into how SkyFi's platform allows users to access satellite technology without the traditional barriers, significantly lowering costs and opening up new possibilities for innovation.Future of Satellite Technology: Insights into the future advancements in satellite tech and how these will impact various industries globally.Austin for America: Luke shares his upcoming initiative, a community event in Austin that aims to foster collaboration among defense tech companies, showcasing how the city is becoming a hub for defense and tech innovation.Luke Fischer is the CEO and co-founder of SkyFi, a revolutionary platform that simplifies the tasking of satellites for imagery and data collection, making it accessible to a wider audience. Prior to founding SkyFi, Luke served 16 years in the U.S. Army, where he specialized in aviation and participated in numerous deployments. His post-military career includes significant roles at Uber and Joby Aviation, and he brings a wealth of experience from the defense, technology, and transportation sectors to his current role at SkyFi.Relevant Links:SkyFi WebsiteSkyFi AppAustin 4 AmericaLuke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukemfischer/ 

Greg Davis, founder of Overwatch Imaging, shares insights into his journey from working in large aerospace companies to starting his own venture. He discusses the importance of community, collaboration, and partnerships in the defense tech industry, as well as the innovative solutions Overwatch is developing to automate overhead intelligence collection. Greg emphasizes the challenges of building a startup in a complex market and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.TakeawaysGreg is passionate about making a big impact through Overwatch Imaging.The journey from corporate to startup is driven by market opportunities and personal challenges.Community and collaboration are essential for startup growth.Navigating the defense tech landscape requires understanding complex ecosystems.Partnerships with larger companies can accelerate growth and innovation.Overwatch focuses on automating overhead intelligence to improve efficiency.The bottleneck in intelligence collection is often human resources, not technology.Teamwork and shared values are crucial for startup success.Entrepreneurship is challenging but rewarding, requiring focus on impactful solutions.Aspiring entrepreneurs should embrace the startup experience for personal and professional growth.About Greg Davis Founder and CEO of Overwatch, a cutting-edge company specializing in advanced defense technologies. With a background in military operations and technology development, Greg has spent over two decades leading innovations that bridge the gap between commercial and defense sectors. Overwatch focuses on enhancing operational capabilities through autonomous systems, AI-driven solutions, and data analytics, empowering defense forces to maintain superior strategic advantage. Greg's leadership and vision have positioned Overwatch as a key player in the evolving landscape of defense innovation. Websitehttps://www.overwatchimaging.com/