What does it take to actually build and scale physical innovation in GovCon?

In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Callye Keen, CEO of KForm and host of Startup Defense, to explore the real challenges of bringing new defense technology to market from startup myths to manufacturing realities.

We cover:

🛠️ The hard truths of scaling defense tech

📉 Why most SBIR-funded startups never transition

💡 What “innovation as a service” actually looks like

🤝 Why partnerships (not pitches) win contracts

🧠 A smarter approach to requirements development

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Personal intros and podcast history

[06:04] – Callye’s journey from machine shop to full-scale innovation hub

[10:36] – Why he works mostly with defense startups

[14:10] – The gap between cool demos and real manufacturing

[20:08] – Why success in GovCon needs a new startup playbook

[28:57] – Market signals, not just funding, matter

[34:53] – How Callye designs products around user feedback

[41:31] – The missing middle in DoD prototyping

[46:16] – Packaging innovation into services government can buy

[53:11] – Why speed (not scale) is your first defense milestone

Links and Resources:

• KForm Website

• The Startup Defense Podcast by Callye Keen

• Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile