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The Dual-Use Founder: Vets Now Building For America
12 segments available
In today’s world, the battlefield extends far beyond war zones—it’s embedded in our tech stacks, supply chains, and airspace security systems. So who better to solve these modern challenges than those who’ve served on the front lines? Recorded live at the third annual American Dynamism Summit in Washington D.C., this episode features a16z’s Matt Shortal—a veteran himself—moderating a conversation with three founders who transitioned from military service to building cutting-edge defense startups: John Doyle, founder & CEO of Cape David Tuttle, cofounder & CEO of Rune Grant Jordan, founder & CEO of SkySafe The panel covers their journeys from service to startups, how their time in uniform shaped what they chose to build, and whether veterans should go straight into entrepreneurship—or stop first at places like Palantir or Anduril. They also discuss how Ukraine changed the game, how dual-use tech is shifting the innovation landscape, and how to instill trust and culture in mission-driven companies. The big question: how do we win the next war—the asymmetric, fast-moving, tech-enabled kind—and build the industrial base we need to do it? Timecodes: 00:00: Introduction 00:31: Personal Stories: Joining the Service and Building Companies 04:36: Challenges and Opportunities in Military Logistics 05:43: The Impact of Drones on Modern Warfare 07:29: Lessons from Ukraine: Adapting to New Threats 14:52: Building a Startup Culture: Lessons from the Military 19:00: Balancing Dual-Use Technology and Company Values 23:42: Market Gaps for Startups and Innovation 26:27: Asymmetric Capabilities in Modern Warfare 28:01: Rapid Prototyping and Government Efficiency 32:33: Building Trust and Cohesion in Companies 36:39: Returning to Military Service Resources: See more from The American Dynamism Summit 2025: www. a16z.com/american-dynamism-summit Find John of LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-doyle-48633227/ Find David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtuttle1/ Find Grant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantjordansd/ Find Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-shortal/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Segments Timeline
The Stakes of Modern Warfare
The panel opens with a discussion on the importance of competition in defense and the challenges faced by military and federal organizations. They emphasize the need for innovation to win future asymmetric wars and the significance of meaningful work in this context.
"As taxpayers, as veterans, and as founders, we should want that level of competition. All of these large organizations face a lot of the same challenges that military or federal government face. How d..."
From Service to Startup: Personal Journeys
Founders share their personal stories of military service and the motivations that led them to entrepreneurship. They discuss how their experiences in the military shaped their perspectives on innovation and the desire to create impactful solutions in the defense sector.
"like to start with just hearing your initial story, what you did in the service and then also what inspired you to join initially. What inspired me to join initially was what I think inspires plenty o..."
Challenges in Military Logistics
The conversation shifts to the challenges and opportunities in military logistics. The founders reflect on their experiences and the need for improved logistics solutions to support military operations effectively.
"know when you were in the service and your problems you you work in airspace management logistics and then privacy first mobile care were those problems you saw while serving or did that help influenc..."
Drones: A Game Changer in Warfare
The panel discusses the impact of drones on modern warfare, highlighting the evolution of drone technology and its implications for military strategy. They reflect on the disconnect between traditional military systems and the new challenges posed by low-cost drone capabilities.
"was very very early in the era of DoD thinking about drones on the battlefield and thinking about especially small drones. What we would think about is like small inexpensive drones which at that time..."
Lessons from Ukraine: Adapting to New Threats
The founders analyze the lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict, focusing on how new technologies have been utilized by both sides. They discuss the implications for U.S. defense strategies and the need for adaptability in the face of evolving threats.
"you brought up Ukraine, I think obviously that's changed the whole paradigm in your space and then also you I think frankly I would say all three actually I don't want to speak for John but I think al..."
Startup Culture: Military Lessons Applied
The discussion turns to building a startup culture influenced by military principles. The founders share insights on instilling trust and cohesion within their companies, drawing parallels between military service and entrepreneurial leadership.
"let's pull out a thread that Grant kind of brought up and let's go culture and this you might have some good responses here culture in the military culture and startup land and then you could even add..."
Balancing Dual-Use Technology and Values
The panel explores the balance between developing dual-use technologies and maintaining company values. They discuss the ethical considerations and responsibilities that come with creating technology for both civilian and military applications.
"mentioned dual use and uh first of all, love you to define are you dual use? Would you consider all three of you dual use or not? And then any cultural issues with that bringing folks on board on the ..."
Identifying Market Gaps for Innovation
Founders discuss the market gaps they identified during their military service and how these insights led to innovative startup ideas. They emphasize the importance of addressing unmet needs in the defense sector.
"companies and when you served did you see any gaps there that you wish people would start looking to build companies? Any requests for startups? It's a big question. This is such an unfair question I ..."
Asymmetric Capabilities in Modern Warfare
The conversation focuses on the asymmetric capabilities required in modern warfare. The founders share their thoughts on how technology can level the playing field against adversaries with different strengths.
"touched on hardware software as we look at the future of war. We don't want to be fighting the last war. Obviously we want to fight the next war. We look at Ukraine perfect test case for all three of ..."
Rapid Prototyping and Government Efficiency
The panel discusses the importance of rapid prototyping in defense technology and how it can enhance government efficiency. They highlight the need for agile development processes to keep pace with technological advancements.
"things we need to look at is how do we do these things faster, right? At least as a software company, right? The idea of a 20month prototyping effort to potentially get to something that then maybe a ..."
Building Trust and Cohesion in Companies
The founders share strategies for building trust and cohesion within their startups. They reflect on the lessons learned from military service and how these principles can foster a strong company culture.
"units are renowned for their trust and confidence, their cohesion. We all saw that, especially you and the special forces is how do you instill that in your companies? How do you build that teamwork, ..."
Returning to Military Service: A Personal Choice
The discussion concludes with reflections on the decision to return to military service after transitioning to civilian life. The founders share their motivations and the impact of their military background on their entrepreneurial journeys.
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