Building Tech For Tactical Decision Dominance | The Pair Program Ep90

In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Garrett Smith, Founder & CEO of Reveal Technology, and Les Craig, General Partner at Next Frontier Capital. Together, they explore how new technologies are reshaping the tactical edge and what it takes to build and fund defense startups that deliver real capability for operators in the field. From battlefield insight to venture investment strategy, the conversation highlights how founders and investors are working together to bring advanced tools into modern defense environments.

Key topics include:

1. How drone-based 3D mapping is improving situational awareness in real time
2. What it takes to build a defense startup that actually gets adopted by operators
3. The realities of scaling a venture-backed company in the defense ecosystem
4. Why capital efficiency and disciplined growth matter in defense tech
5. How founders and investors evaluate opportunities in the evolving defense market

About Garrett Smith: Garrett is the Founder and CEO of Reveal Technology, a defense technology company building software that transforms drone video into real-time 3D maps for operational environments. A Marine Corps Force Recon veteran and active reservist, Garrett combines frontline experience with Silicon Valley innovation to develop tools designed to improve situational awareness for teams operating in complex terrain.

About Les Craig: Les is a General Partner at Next Frontier Capital, where he focuses on early-stage technology investments. Prior to joining the firm, Les co-founded cybersecurity company RedOwl Analytics, later acquired by Forcepoint. His background also includes roles at the CIA, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and service as a U.S. Army officer supporting special operations missions.

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