The Hon. Sue Gordon, President of Gordon Ventures, Member of the Defense Innovation Board, and former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Sean Blackman, Co-founder and CEO of Nooks, return for part two of our unclassified discussion on the challenges new entrants face in the defense innovation ecosystem. They examine obstacles for small businesses, including allies and partners, such as navigating classification rules, the clearance application backlog, and streamlining compliance processes. Mr. Blackman shares how Nooks simplifies these steps for businesses, and Ms. Gordon discusses the need to modernize outdated policies and foster collaboration between government, industry, and academia to create an ecosystem that balances security, drives innovation, and attracts top talent.

Nooks: https://nooks.works/

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Securing a place in the defense intelligence sector can be an uphill battle for small companies, universities, and other organizations aiming to participate in national security and intelligence-related projects. Today, we’re exploring the unique challenges faced by these innovative players as they navigate stringent security requirements, costly infrastructure upgrades, and the complex world of classified projects. Unlike large defense contractors, these emerging entities often struggle with limited budgets and resources, hindering their ability to contribute groundbreaking ideas to national security. Our guests, the Hon. Sue Gordon, President of Gordon Ventures and former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Sean Blackman, Co-founder and CEO of Nooks, offer insights into overcoming these obstacles and share the work currently being done to help small innovators bring their vision to the defense landscape. Nooks: https://nooks.works/ DIB Report: Lowering Barriers to Innovation: https://innovation.defense.gov/Portals/63/2_%2020240118%20DIB%20LBI%20Study.pdf To receive updates about the conference please join our mailing list here: https://www.emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org/sign-up http://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

Matt MacGregor, Fellow at the Acquisition Innovation Research Center and Senior Director for Strategic Growth at Anduril Industries, joins the podcast to discuss how Congress plans to fund Pentagon modernization programs. In this episode, they dive into the current state of the Congressional defense appropriations process and their implications for emerging defense technologies, including:

- Winners and losers in the House and Senate defense appropriations bills including research and technology programs.

- How high priority technology activities, like the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve, Replicator, and the Defense Innovation Unit, are faring in the appropriations negotiations - given Congressional concerns over innovation funds.

- New budget reform flexibilities like budget line consolidation and portfolio management being considered by Congress to give DOD more ability to move money faster to keep up with emerging technologies and threats, including how they are handling the recommendations of the PPBE Commission.

- Where the appropriations process goes from here in the current political climate.

Defense Tech and Acquisition News substack: https://defenseacquisition.substack.com/

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