My first SXSW experience
My SXSW experience.
On Thursday (3.9.23) I left my home in Washington, DC to the warm embrace of Austin, TX for my first SXSW experience. For years I have heard this event helps showcase the very essence of Austin, from its famous live music venues to its growing importance on the technology innovation stage — spoiler, it did not disappoint.
The last few years, national security enthusiasts, buoyed by the presence of Army Futures Command, AFWERX, and Defense Innovation Unit have carved out a niche during this seminal event. This year I was honored to speak at three separate events to discuss the 1) emerging importance of third-party capital in the National Security ecosystem, 2) how the government can best leverage emerging artificial intelligence trends, and 3) understanding the pathways for start-ups to work with the Department of Defense. The audiences included entrepreneurs, defense procurement officials, fellow investors, value-added resellers, defense consultants, and congressional staffers.
Beyond the panels, and despite the ominous backdrop of the Silicon Valley Bank situation, I had the honor to speak with Army non-commissioned officers about how they are using augmented reality to increase maintenance proficiency, mentor newly commissioned Air Force officers in their fledgling military careers, and provide insight to Senior Air Force officials behind closed doors how they might better partner with the commercial industry to accelerate their priorities.
Between the multitude of happy hours, I caught up with SHIELD portfolio company founders, and was pitched by a half-dozen entrepreneurs on their vision to disrupt or enhance existing markets. Over live music I reconnected with old friends I once served with on how they continue to serve in new capacities, while trading deal-flow insights with fellow investors that would otherwise be relegated to Zoom.
The music flowed, BBQ devoured, and sleep punted for another time, but our resounding commitment to the growing National Security innovation ecosystem could not be understated. And while none of us are satisfied with the current pace of change, the atmosphere unleashed a torrent of optimism that we are on the cusp of something special.
As I head back to DC dreading an unkempt inbox, I can’t help but feel motivated to keep pushing despite the overwhelming obstacles in our way. My challenge to those who feel as I do is to find something small you can commit to and make happen before next year’s SXSW. No one commission or single government official can change the system that feels intransigent and unrelenting, but collectively if we do what we can, in the place that we’re in, the progress will beget more progress. After all, we just witnessed the collective power of government and industry coming together in order to mitigate what could have been an absolute disaster for our broader innovation ecosystem - the best advantage we have over our adversaries. Let that be a sign we might build on and thank you Austin for keeping it weird!
