Sanjana Polapragada hosts a two-speaker conversation with Robert Miller, a seasoned “startup statesman” who has advised companies such as CrowdAI (now acquired by Saab) and Hawkeye 360 (now valued at over a billion dollars), and Emma Bates, CEO and founder of Cachai, a dual-use tech company (for both civilian and military purposes) focused on collaborative autonomy and drone innovation in the national security space.

Together, they unpack how to navigate the national security startup ecosystem, secure government contracts, and cross the many “valleys of death” that mission-driven ventures face.

Aimed at anyone with a concrete, government-focused venture idea, the episode offers practical how-tos for entering and thriving in the field.

If you're curious about building a mission-driven venture in national security, this episode is your starting point.

Produced in partnership with the Pava Center for Entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins.

Researched and hosted by Sanjana Polapragada; edited by Vishal Gogusetti.