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Educating founders. Connecting capital. Accelerating secure autonomy.
The Secure Autonomous Systems Initiative is an education and capital-access platform for startups building autonomous technologies relevant to national security and defense. We help founders understand complex security markets and connect with venture capital and strategic investors who understand autonomy, defense timelines, and dual-use innovation.
Through educational programs and curated introductions, we reduce friction between startups, investors, and the national security ecosystem—so promising technologies can scale responsibly and effectively.
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Autonomous systems are reshaping how nations defend, deter, and respond to emerging threats. Yet for startups, entering national security and defense markets can be opaque, slow, and difficult to navigate—especially without prior government experience or domain-specific capital.
The Secure Autonomous Systems Initiative was created to close that gap.
We provide founders with practical education on how security markets function and facilitate trusted connections to venture capital, corporate, and strategic investors who are actively deploying capital into autonomy and defense-relevant technologies.
The Secure Autonomous Systems Initiative is not a trade association, advocacy organization, or government entity. It is a neutral, founder-focused platform designed to promote clarity, access, and informed engagement across the autonomy ecosystem.
For Founders
Building autonomous systems for security or defense applications requires more than great technology. Founders must understand mission needs, procurement pathways, regulatory constraints, and how investors evaluate risk in national security markets.
The Secure Autonomous Systems Initiative helps founders:
• Understand defense, intelligence, and dual-use market dynamics
• Translate technical capabilities into mission-relevant value propositions
• Navigate procurement norms, compliance considerations, and timelines
• Access investors with domain expertise and aligned expectations
What founders can expect:
• Educational briefings on security and defense markets
• Workshops on tech-to-mission translation
• Opportunities to present to curated investor audiences
• Introductions to venture and strategic capital aligned with autonomy
Participation is designed to be practical, non-theoretical, and directly relevant to startup growth.
For Investors
Investing in autonomous systems for national security presents unique opportunities—and unique challenges. Longer timelines, procurement complexity, and regulatory considerations require informed capital and realistic expectations.
The Secure Autonomous Systems Initiative provides investors with:
• Curated access to autonomy startups operating in security-relevant markets
• Insight into emerging technologies and mission needs
• Opportunities to engage founders earlier with better context
• A trusted forum for understanding market dynamics without advocacy or promotion
We work with venture capital firms, corporate venture arms, family offices, and strategic investors who are actively interested in autonomy, defense, and dual-use innovation.
Participation is selective and focused on meaningful engagement rather than volume
Events & Programming
The Secure Autonomous Systems Initiative hosts a series of educational and connection-focused programs throughout the year.
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Programming may include:
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Founder education briefings (“Boot Camps”)
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Investor roundtables
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Startup showcases and demo days
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Closed-door workshops with domain experts
Events are designed to foster candid discussion, practical learning, and high-value connections across the autonomy ecosystem.
Upcoming Events
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