ATI @ Capital Factory House
Panel 1: Conversation with Dr. Radha Plumb: Looking back and looking forward with DoD’s former Chief Digital & AI Officer
March 8, 2025 | 10:00-11:00am | Watch Here
Description:
This conversation will explore Dr. Plumb’s insights on driving digital and AI transformation within the DOD, her leadership in acquisition and industrial base policy, and her perspective from senior positions in both the government and private sector. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of challenges and opportunities in driving digital and AI transformation, the evolving landscape of acquisition and industrial policy, and how public-private collaboration can accelerate innovation in national security.
Host: Josh Marcuse, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Google Public Sector
Guest: Dr. Radha Plumb, Former Chief Digital and AI Officer, Department of Defense
March 8, 2025 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Watch Here
Description:
So you’re ready to move into production, but don’t have the revenue yet to invest in the high-cost of land development, facilities, and equipment. Industrial campuses exist to address this model, providing shared space and equipment to help companies boost revenue and transition from prototyping to production.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Christopher “Z” Zember, President, Z Factor
John Burer, Founder, American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation
Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio, Vice President for Research & Innovation, University of Texas – Dallas
Al Puchala, CEO, CapZone Impact Investments
Panel 3: How to Avoid Falling Victim to Chinese Communist Party Influence – Tips for Emerging Industry
March 8, 2025 | 2:30-3:30pm | Watch Here
Description:
The Chinese government is actively seeking to influence companies of interest to the DOD, using tactics through US-based companies and investors, among others. Engaging with these entities (even unwittingly) can jeopardize your work with the DOD. Learn how to spot and avoid these pitfalls.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Dan Sheridan, President, 3rd Harmonic Strategies
Amanda Heller, Defense Innovation Unit
Dr. Oleg Svet, Founder and CEO, 5A Consulting
March 8, 2025 | 4:00-5:00pm | Watch Here
Description
States and localities around the country are expanding their package of offerings to attract emerging industry, beyond traditional tax incentives. Learn what to look for and how to find the best option for the current and future needs of your growing business.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Chris Peters, Serial Entrepreneur
Dr. Richard Clinch, Executive Director, Jacob France Institute, University of Baltimore
Leah George VanScott, EVP, Business Development and Strategy, Greater Rochester Enterprise
March 9, 2025 | 10:00-11:00am | Watch Here
Description:
Over the course of the past two decades, the DOD has developed and refined numerous approaches to rapid acquisition. National Security Policy has shirted towards Great Power Competition and operating forces are increasingly experimenting with prototypes during joint and Service-level large scale exercises. How can we incorporate what we learned from prior experiences with rapid acquisition and begin applying best practices and other lessons to move at the speed of relevance to secure necessary advantage for what will undoubtedly be a lengthy competition across multiple domains?
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Christopher “Z” Zember, President, Z Factor
Hon. Nickolas Guertin, PE, Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development & Acquisition), Founder of Guertin Tranformation Associates LLC
Hon. Andrew Hunter, Founder of Pax Per Consortia Strategies LLC, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition
March 9, 2025 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Watch Here
Description:
The growing alignment between DOD and private capital is well known and reported. Investors will share perspectives on what is working, where gaps remain, and what to do to make further improvements, accelerating impact for the DOD mission and U.S. economic resilience.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Josh Marcuse, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Google Public Sector
Morgan Hitzig, Vice President, Venrock
Morgan Mahlock, Investor, Cerberus Capital Management
Chris Moran, Senior Vice President, Lockheed Martin Ventures
David Rothzeid, Principal, Shield Capital
March 9, 2025 | 2:30-3:30pm | Watch Here
Description:
Every startup knows about venture capital, and most are hoping to grow enough to access private equity. At Capital Factory, we meet a lot of Defense Department offices offering non-dilutive capital. But what about other sources of capital? Join this session to learn about lesser-known funding sources to help you grow.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Justin Yang, Founder and CEO, DMV Bio and Advisor, Global Health Investment Corporation
Dr. Matt Laudon, Founder, TechConnect Division, Advanced Technology International
Dr. Walter Voit, Director, Center for Engineering Innovation, University of Texas – Dallas
Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes, Principal, Smoketree Resources
March 9, 2025 | 4:00-5:00pm | Watch Here
Description:
What are investors looking for? How do venture capitalists, private equity firms, banks and others assess companies seeking funding? What can government funding offices learn from these commercial vetting and evaluation approaches.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Joseph Kopser, Chair of the Board, Sustainment
Dr. Sara Brand, Founding General Partner, True Wealth Ventures
Evan Burfield, Co-Founder, Washington Office
Craig Cummings, General Partner, Moonshots Capital
Sean Singleton, Managing Director, Oglethorpe Capital and US Venture Partner, Beaten Zone Ventures
March 10th, 2025 | Apollo Room (off of the Voltron room) |11:30am-12:30pm
Description:
This panel explores the synergies between the major biomanufacturing sectors, highlighting how utilization of innovations and best practices can enhance defense capabilities, medical advancements, and industrial competitiveness.
Format: Panel
Panelists:
(Moderator) Dr. Mike Stebbins, Senior Vice President, Medical & Threat Countermeasures Division, Advanced Technology International
Dr. Shalini Prasad, Department Head, Bioenginering, UT Dallas and Co-Founder, EnLiSense
Dr. Rob Rennaker, Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering, UT Dallas and CEO, Xnerve Medical
Justin Yang, Founder and CEO, DMV Bio and Advisor, Global Health Investment Corporation
