a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Department of Defense is a black box, but we are trying to fix it by bringing in more companies to work on national security.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The real bottlenecks in the Department of Defense are cultural and procedural, not technical, and we can apply technology to address these issues.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We want to overwhelm the system with how much better it can be, and we have more companies than ever wanting to work on national security.

JF

Justin Fanelli

04/03/25

@ a16z

The CTO position within government came 30 years after it did in the private sector, acknowledging that commercial technology can be a disruptive force for the government.

JF

Justin Fanelli

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need to find innovations from non-traditional partners and scale them quickly, while also managing existing budget constraints and strategic spending.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

Startups should focus on developing a minimally viable product that can be productized and brought to market, rather than just a minimally viable prototype.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The black box of the Department of Defense was set up on purpose, but we are trying to cut through the bureaucracy to make it more transparent and accessible.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We want to help industry write better requirements so that we can effectively leverage available technology for our missions.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

Only superior military technology can credibly deter war, and we have more companies interested in supporting that mission than ever before.

JF

Justin Fanelli

04/03/25

@ a16z

We are shifting from a program of record approach to a portfolio approach, allowing for more data-driven decisions in procurement.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need to be more agile in our requirements because the pace of technology is so fast that we can't predict what capabilities will be developed in three years.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We are working to streamline the procurement process to ensure that the best solutions are implemented quickly and effectively.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need to treat the value of technology as the actual goal and flip the focus from cost and schedule to the actual value and time to delivery of military solutions.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Army has the flexibility to modify its organizations and equipment to meet mission needs, unlike other branches that have fixed assets.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

If you have solutions that work, the Army wants to engage with you directly to test them in the field.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

During the Global War on Terror, I could request equipment and receive it within 30 days, but we never fixed the underlying procurement system.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We're now focusing on scaling what works and transforming execution in the Army to adapt to new technologies effectively.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We're measuring outcomes with metrics that show whether we're moving the needle, rather than just assessing the technology itself.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need significant leaps in capabilities, not just incremental improvements, to maintain military overmatch.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Navy is consolidating identity management solutions to focus resources on more complex problems.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Department of Defense is working to break down silos and create shared services to improve efficiency across branches.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

Startups can help identify problems within the military, but they cannot solve the fundamental issues of how we articulate our needs.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

It's crucial for startup CEOs to spend time near the military units they aim to support to understand their needs better.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

In 1968, the government began directly budgeting for specific programs, which has evolved how we allocate defense spending today.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Army is only 21% of the defense budget, yet we have to predict spending needs 3 to 5 years in advance, limiting our flexibility.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need to transition advanced technology from the lab to the field quickly, but our current system is not designed for that speed.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

If someone has a significantly better capability than what we currently have, we need undeniable data to support its adoption.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need to focus on the total cost of ownership and the mission impact of new technologies to ensure they benefit those protecting us.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We must aim for precise solutions, even if they require manual processes, until we can scale effective solutions.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We want to see significant improvements in technology that can be rapidly deployed to enhance military capabilities.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Department of Defense is working to change its risk assessment culture to embrace innovation rather than just minimize risk.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We need to align the risk assessment metrics of the Department of Defense with the fast-paced nature of technology development.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

If we can scale half of what's currently working well, we can significantly enhance our military capabilities.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Army is moving forward with a consortium for next-generation command and control technology to improve operational efficiency.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We're learning from the conflict in Ukraine to develop automated systems that can respond to drone threats effectively.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

We are forming a consortium for autonomy to integrate various technologies and improve decision-making in combat situations.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The Department of Defense is committed to being more flexible and open-minded, especially when data supports policy changes.

a

a16z Cast

04/03/25

@ a16z

The biggest misconception is that the Department of Defense is outdated; we are actively transforming and adapting to modern challenges.

Can the Military Move at Startup Speed? How the Army and Navy Are Rebuilding

Takeaways