Agora-In-A-Box

Join us as DEF's Executive Director sits with Dr. Marina Theodotou, Lolita Horne and Eric Farraro of DAU! Using industry and academic research, and insights from the workforce, the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) created the Innovation Competencies and Skills Model. The model includes a self-assessment and personalized learning recommendations based on assessment results. This video introduces viewers to several members of the Innovate to Win (Phase I ) team,  describes the Innovate to Win initiative, as well as provides an overview of the Innovation Competencies and Skills model,  self-assessment, and curated learning pathways. It concludes with an invitation for viewers to participate.

The Masked Innovator is a new take on Podcasts from the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum! Take a listen and see if you can figure out who the guests are before the end! No self promotions, no sales pitches, just honest opinions on the topic of innovation within the Department of Defense!

Come learn how to navigate the challenging world of SBIR's and STTR's!

DEF's executive director Trish Martinelli talks with Heath Murray, the Indiana Agora lead, about the recent DEF Drink and Think and the importance of local Agoras in the national DEF ecosystem. Trish and Heath also discussed the unique nature of the DEF community and how it connects and empowers innovative thinkers in the national security space.

DEF's executive director Trish Martinelli talks with Nicholas Marchand, the lead for the 757 Agora. Nick hosted one of many DEF events on November 10, 2022, now unofficially known as National DEF Day.  Trish and Nick discussed the 757 Agora, its unique position in the national security ecosystem, and the value local Agoras add to DEF's mission to inspire, connect, and empower.

DEF's executive director Trish Martinelli talks with Alex Gorsuch, the Chicago Agora lead, about his recent DEFx event, the Chicago entrepreneurial ecosystem, and his company Ascent. Trish and Alex also discuss future plans for the Chicago Agora and for DEF overall, and why individuals interested in the national security innovation space should get involved.

DEF's executive director Trish Martinelli talks with Alexis Bonnell about her time as a facilitator at I Am Remarkable, a Google project seeking to inspire and empower working people to take pride in their achievements. This kind of empowerment is a critical component to true success and fulfillment in both the defense and innovation spheres. 

The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN “Esign”) runs a program called “Foundry” that matches DOD technology with Entrepreneurs with the goal of creating private entities to sell the DOD technology to both the commercial and public/DoD sector.   Featuring: Mark Anholt – Program Manager of Foundry, can speak to program, selection critea, historical successes, and goals to increase women’s participation Trish Martinelli – Executive Director of DEF, Regional Director at NSIN Ellen Chang – BMNT “Hacking For” Executive Emily Harman – Senior Executive (retired) from Department of the Navy, expert in small business with the DoD VR Small – Founder and CEO of Veterans Women’s Enterprise Center Heather Jo Richman – BMNT VP, DoD and IC Innovation lead Emily McMahan – Academy Investor Network, Supporting Dual Use entrepreneurs Tai Sunnan – NSIN University of Southern California (USC) University Program Manager and Harvard Instructor of leadership development and PhD in Social Entrepreneurship

On January 31st, 2022 we hosted our first Agora Launch party. An event where we 'unboxed' the Agora-In-A-Box tool and demonstrated the process it takes to start a new Agora. We had a great turnout and are excited to see how many Agora will emerge in the coming months.  If you weren't able to attend you can now listen to the recording from the event. If you have any questions or are interested in starting an Agora in your city shoot us an email to [email protected].

On the 29th of January as another big storm bore down on the Northeast, the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF) held it’s quarterly volunteer summit, and the first Summit under the new Executive Director Trish Martinelli. More than 15 volunteers, leaders, staff, past and present Executive Directors, and DEF Board members kicked off the Summit and invested 4 hours in charting the way ahead for DEF in 2022. The meeting was led by Lee Gimpel by Better Meetings. If you are interested in enhancing the quality of your meetings, visit their website https://bettermeetings.expert/  About DEF The mission of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum is to inspire, connect and empower people by convening events, forging partnerships and delivering tangible solutions. We do this in order to promote a culture of innovation in the U.S. national security community. We are united in this purpose through service to our nation and the desire to bring new ideas and innovations to the national security ecosystem. We recognize that large, multi-tiered organization can stymie new ideas and ways of solving problems. Within any such group, there are people driven to find new, better, faster, cheaper, easier and more effective solutions. DEF unites those people, enabling them with avenues to express themselves, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain the insights, mentorship and support necessary to bring their ideas to execution. If you have an interest in national security, regardless of whether you work in government, academia, a startup, policy or industry, you may also be a virtuous insurgent. Find out more and join us at DEF.org.