Boundary Breakers: The don’t-miss DC event where national security meets storytelling

Over the last few years, two important developments have emerged on a nationwide scale that are incredibly important for the direction of our technology ecosystem in DC.

First, national security emerged as a viable category of technology innovation. China’s acceleration and the war in Ukraine transformed the geopolitical landscape, leading officials to rethink how we acquire and develop technology. At the same time, the seeds that were planted last decade by the likes of SpaceX, Palantir and Anduril have started to bear real fruit in terms of contracts and clout. It has all led to more startups, more venture dollars, and more energy around this space than we’ve seen in previous cycles. 

Second, in-person ecosystem building re-emerged as a major driver of DC’s local scene. Following the end of pandemic-era restrictions, meetups and pitch events returned at full throttle, and a new generation of leaders took up the torch. They’re focusing on specific industry verticals, and digging in on the practical application of the latest technology, including AI. Those of us who were there talk about how it feels like 2014. The tactics are the same, but the names are different.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, these two trends are set to come together at Boundary Breakers: A Showcase of Critical Technology Innovations in National Security.

Held at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center during DC Startup & Tech Week, the event is putting a spotlight on entrepreneurs who are working to solve some of the hardest national security challenges in disciplines that have been prioritized by US leaders for increased focus. This includes communications, autonomy, critical minerals and microelectronics. If Silicon Valley, the space program, GPS, and the internet are any guide, the innovation that results from this period can benefit all of society. 

Boundary Breakers speakers include:

• Edgar Garay, CEO, Falcomm (microelectronics)
• Emma Bates, CEO, Cachai (autonomy)
• Patrick Ho, President, Forager Station (critical minerals)
• Alex Marder, Cofounder, Revelare Networks (communications)
• Warren Su, CEO, SQUID3 Space (manufacturing)

These speakers will be giving lightning talks, a format that prioritizes storytelling over pitches. Back in the 2010s, events like Ignite and TEDx brought together the smart people who were convening around entrepreneurship, gave them a time limit, bought them pizza and created unforgettable nights that elevated passion and true learning above all else. These were “you had to be there” moments, without sales pitches. Tears were cried. Laughs were shared. Friendships were forged. The ecosystem is better for it.

This event isn’t Ignite or TEDx, but it will have a big stage, smart people solving real problems, and surprising plot twists. Thanks to our sponsors at Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures and Squadra Ventures, we’ll even have pizza.

Most towns bifurcate between the sweep and scale of a national trajectory, and the tight-knit tactics of the local lens. DC has the benefit of both. Let’s find out what it looks like to put them in the same room.