Building in the Gray Zone: Founders on Defense Tech's Real Frontier

Dual-use doesn't come with a playbook. For the founders navigating regulatory complexity, security clearances, long sales cycles, and a capital market still finding its footing in defense tech, the real frontier is operational, not just technological. This panel brings together startup builders who have moved through the DIANA acceleration ecosystem to share what it actually takes to build in this space: how they positioned their technology, what capital conversations look like, and where the culture of defense is shifting to meet them. A candid, founders-first look at the realities behind the sector's fast-rising profile.

Jun 3, 2026 — 10:10 am - 10:40 AM
Playground Stage

Tech Shift