Mission Matters Podcast

After a 6 month lapse, the SBIR program is officially back following Congressional reauthorization.In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, we sit down with Chris Benson, the CTO of Istari Digital and an Air Force acquisition pioneer who was one of the architects behind the modernization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program during his time at AFWERX.We discuss:• How SBIR evolved from a slow, lab-driven R&D program into a real commercialization pathway• Why Open Topic and TACFI/STRATFI changed the game for venture-backed defense startups• What the new Strategic Breakthrough Awards mean for scaling to production• Why founders need to think about Phase III and production contracts from day one• How proposal caps, foreign due diligence, and other new rules could reshape the program going forwardAs always, please let us know what you think. And please reach out if you or anyone you know is building at the intersection of technology and national security.

Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen David Goldfein (Ret.) and former CIA Middle East expert Norm Roule break down recent U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran

Drones are re-defining modern warfare – and the U.S. is behind. On the latest Mission Matters episode, we sat down with Andy Yakulis, CEO & Co-Founder of Vector Defense, to discuss what it will actually take to achieve American Drone Dominance.Vector isn’t just building drones. They describe their business model as “Modern Warfare as a Service.” Instead of waiting years to push hardware through traditional procurement pathways, they deliver integrated capability — technology, tactics, training, and battlefield feedback loops — under service contracts that tap into O&M funding.We discuss:- Why the Pentagon’s $1B Drone Dominance initiative is the clearest USG demand signal for attritable systems yet- How “Drone as a Service” business model unlocks O&M funding (the largest color of money)- Lessons from Ukraine & Israel (and why it’s not copy-paste for the U.S.)- Building a China-free supply chain and re-industrializing American drone manufacturing

Austin Link, Co-founder and CEO of Starfish Space, builds software-defined space tugs for satellite life extension and disposal. He talks about the Remora demonstration, how affordable software enables complex rendezvous and proximity operations, commercial and government use cases for Otter, and scaling via SBIR and StratFi while navigating classified work.

Johnnie Kaberle, former House Appropriations staff director and WestExec SVP, breaks down the $839B FY26 defense appropriations. Hear concise takes on where real funding lives, which tech areas snag money, how to read the Joint Explanatory Statement, and smart ways for startups to engage Congress without burning credibility.

A fast breakdown of the Department of War’s sweeping AI-first strategy and its seven pacing projects. They cover consolidation of innovation organizations and what ‘field activity’ status means for DIU and SCO. Discussion of GenAI.mil rollout, compute and data infrastructure investments, and new rules to open federated data catalogs. Practical pointers for startups aiming to work with the department.

H.R. McMaster, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and former National Security Advisor, shares his insights on Venezuela's geopolitical landscape. He discusses the complexity of modern warfare and the vital role of commercial technology in recent U.S. actions. McMaster highlights Venezuela's connections with adversaries like Russia and Iran, framing it as a strategic linchpin. He emphasizes the importance of behavior change over regime change and shares lessons on the risks of coercive diplomacy, while also addressing the implications for U.S. deterrence.

What does it take to build a serious profitable, sustainable, scaled defense tech startup? In the newest episode of the Mission Matters podcast David and I sit down with John Serafini, the CEO and founder of HawkEye 360 and a partner at Shield Capital, to discuss what it took to grow HawkEye into a profitable company with:🛰️ 30+ satellites on orbit💰 Nine-figures of ARR🤝 Customers across the U.S. government and allied nationsIn this episode, we unpack: 🔹 What it means to “build a serious company” in defense tech 🔹 Why trust, humility, and sustainability matter more than hype 🔹 The realities of working in classified environments 🔹 Lessons from the SPAC boom, capital discipline, and profitability 🔹 Where the real white spaces in space tech still exist 🔹 How to partner effectively with defense primes (without fear-mongering)This conversation is a must-listen for founders, operators, investors, and policymakers building at the intersection of commercial innovation, space, and national security, and includes some hot takes from John as well.As always, please reach out if you or anyone you know is building at the intersection of national security and commercial markets. And please make sure to subscribe to the Mission Matters podcast to hear more stories of what it takes to build at the intersection of national security and commercial markets.KEYWORDSHawkeye 360,radio frequency, satellite technology, national security, commercial space,signal intelligence, defense technology, space startups, classified customers,international markets, ITAR compliance, defense primes, profitability,fundraising strategy.ChaptersThe Warfighter Is the SunWhy startups must design around the customer, not themselvesWhat Hawkeye 360 Actually Does (RF from Space)Commercial signals intelligence, explained simplyFrom West Point to Founder & InvestorJohn Serafini’s background and path to building Hawkeye 360“Just Build a Serious Company”The advice that shaped Hawkeye’s operating philosophyTrust, Humility, and SustainabilityThe three principles every defense tech startup must internalizeSpaceX, Rocket Lab, and What Great Looks LikeLessons from the most successful space companiesIs It Easier to Work with DoD Today?How the defense innovation environment has changed since 2015The RDT&E Trap and the Valley of DeathWhy too many startups get stuck at TRL 4–6Buy What We Can, Build What We MustWhat’s actually different in today’s defense procurement climateThe SPAC Boom: Lessons LearnedWhy many space SPACs struggled—and what founders should avoidTurning Academic IP into a Scaled Space CompanyHow Hawkeye 360 spun out of Virginia Tech researchBuilding for Classified CustomersWhy practitioner insight and trust matter more than clever techIn-Q-Tel, Clearances, and Market EntryHow startups should realistically approach the ICPartnering with Defense Primes (Without Fear)Why primes aren’t the enemy—and how they can accelerate impactITAR, International Sales, and Allied CustomersHow Hawkeye built a global business despite regulatory hurdlesScaling a Space Hardware CompanyThe hidden challenges of moving from first launch to constellationCapital Discipline and Just-in-Time GrowthAvoiding overhead traps while scaling responsiblyWhen Should Hardware Startups Focus on Profitability?Why growth and profitability aren’t mutually exclusiveWhat John Looks for as an InvestorHow he evaluates early-stage space and defense tech startupsTech That Fell Short of ExpectationsWhy optical communications still haven’t scaled as expectedWhite Spaces in Space TechOn-orbit processing, data relay, and future opportunitiesWho Really Determines Success?The overlooked role of policymakers and appropriatorsFinal Thoughts: Building for Missions That MatterWhy discipline, trust, and seriousness define enduring companies

The podcast delves into the implications of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act for tech startups. Key discussions include the NDAA’s budget breakdown and its impact on acquisition reform. Insights on commercial space procurement highlight a shift towards buying space data services. The hosts also explore the Golden Dome missile defense priorities and what's missing from the bill. Additionally, they offer valuable advice for startups on navigating these changes and building connections within the national security sector.

In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Akhil and Maggie sit down with Andrew Puryear, the CTO of L3Harris, the 6th largest U.S. defense prime, to discuss L3Harris's "trusted disruptor strategy." As part of this strategy, L3Harris partners with startups to bring cutting edge capabilities to the warfighter. We cover:- How startups should approach working with large primes- What lessons the U.S. should (and shouldn't) be learning from the war in Ukraine- The role AI, electronic warfare, air and missile defense, and more will have on future battlefields- And much moreAs always, please reach out if you or anyone you know is building in the national security startup space.