The Future Frontlines of Defense: 3D Drones and Strategic Logistics | The Pair Program Ep59

Dive into the future of defense technology with Chad McCoy of Firestorm Labs and Jeff Wright, military strategist and special ops veteran. Explore how 3D printing drones and new logistic strategies are paving the way for innovative solutions in the INDOPACOM theater. We’ll discuss everything from the myths of Pacific warfare to practical tech integration at the edge—where logistics meet frontline operations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Debunking Pacific Warfare Myths: Reassessing historical assumptions about INDOPACOM conflicts.
• 3D Drone Innovations: Highlighting rapid drone manufacturing and its impact on defense logistics.
• Logistics XCELL Solutions: Exploring its role in streamlining operations in contested regions.
• Tech Deployment at the Edge: Discussing the strategic importance of proximity and connectivity.

About Jeff Wright: Jeff is a technology-focused strategist, currently transitioning from a career in special operations to lead his drone startup full-time. As the former architect for autonomous systems employment at USINDOPACOM, his work directly contributed to the DoD’s “Replicator” initiative. He is the Founder & CEO of SplashOne Robotics, dedicated to developing small, purpose-built ‘fighter drones’ to redefine air superiority.

About Chad McCoy: Chad is a retired Senior SOCOM leader and former Pararescueman with 23 years of military experience. After serving as AFRL-RW Munitions Innovation Institute Director, he co-founded Firestorm to revolutionize defense technology. His company develops rapid-production unmanned aerial systems (UAS), reshaping tactical applications in national security.

About Rob Murtha: Rob is the CEO and Founder of Adjective, a company dedicated to product strategy and innovation. With extensive experience in product development and design, he specializes in building user-centric solutions that drive engagement and business growth. Rob is passionate about transforming ideas into impactful products through strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and a deep understanding of user needs.

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Scaling Horizontally: EpiSci’s Strategic Play in Dual-Use Tech | The Pair Program Ep58

In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by David Rothzeid (Principal at Shield Capital) and Bo Ryu (CEO of EpiSci) to unpack the challenges and opportunities in building and scaling dual-use technology. From startup funding paths to shifting dynamics in the defense sector, our guests dive into the future of autonomy, venture capital’s growing role in national security, and what it really takes to bridge commercial innovation with government adoption. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just tech-curious. This one’s packed with insight!

Key topics covered:

• Why “dual-use” is an outdated term and what’s replacing it
• The shifting relationship between commercial tech and national security
• How venture capital is shaping the next wave of defense innovation
• Building scalable autonomy without owning the hardware
• Lessons from startup exits, fundraising, and navigating SBIR programs
• The value of focus and trust when entering complex markets

About Bo Ryu: Bo is the Founder and CEO of EpiSci, a technology startup specializing in Tactical AI and autonomy software for defense applications. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, Bo brings nearly 30 years of experience across aerospace, communications, and AI systems. EpiSci was recently acquired by Applied Intuition, accelerating the company’s mission to deliver scalable, multi-domain autonomy for defense and commercial markets.

About David Rothzeid: David is a Principal at Shield Capital, a venture capital firm investing at the intersection of commercial innovation and national security. With over $300M in assets under management, David leads investments in frontier technology startups and brings deep insight into how founders can navigate the defense innovation ecosystem—from early-stage funding to long-term impact.

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How We Hatched: Feross Aboukhadijeh, Founder & CEO of Socket

How do we secure open-source software in a world where supply chain attacks are on the rise? In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Feross Aboukhadijeh, founder & CEO of Socket, to discuss the growing security threats in open-source development and how Socket is helping companies stay protected. Feross shares his journey from open-source enthusiast to startup founder, lessons learned from early ventures, and insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

They delve into:

• The rise of supply chain attacks in open-source software
• Lessons from Feross’ journey in open source and startup life
• The challenges of funding open-source projects
• How Socket is redefining developer-first security
• The future of open-source security and what’s next for Socket

About Feross:

Feross Aboukhadijeh is the founder and CEO of Socket, a developer-first security platform that protects companies from software supply chain attacks. With over a decade of experience in open source, Feross has written some of the most-downloaded JavaScript packages. He also teaches CS 253 Web Security at Stanford University. Thousands of organizations rely on Socket to safely discover, audit, and manage open-source software at scale.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

How We Hatched: Feross Aboukhadijeh, Founder & CEO of Socket

How do we secure open-source software in a world where supply chain attacks are on the rise? In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Feross Aboukhadijeh, founder & CEO of Socket, to discuss the growing security threats in open-source development and how Socket is helping companies stay protected. Feross shares his journey from open-source enthusiast to startup founder, lessons learned from early ventures, and insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

They delve into:

• The rise of supply chain attacks in open-source software
• Lessons from Feross’ journey in open source and startup life
• The challenges of funding open-source projects
• How Socket is redefining developer-first security
• The future of open-source security and what’s next for Socket

About Feross:

Feross Aboukhadijeh is the founder and CEO of Socket, a developer-first security platform that protects companies from software supply chain attacks. With over a decade of experience in open source, Feross has written some of the most-downloaded JavaScript packages. He also teaches CS 253 Web Security at Stanford University. Thousands of organizations rely on Socket to safely discover, audit, and manage open-source software at scale.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Cracking the Code: How Startups Can Win with MSP Partnerships | The Pair Program Ep57

How do startups break into the market without a massive sales force? And what do Managed Service Providers (MSPs) really look for in vendor solutions, beyond the sales pitch? In this episode, Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Brian Luckey (CIO at Integris) and Ian Y. Garrett (CEO & co-founder of Phalanx) to explore the high-stakes world of vendor-MSP relationships. They dive into how cybersecurity startups can leverage MSP partnerships to scale, the biggest pain points MSPs face, and what separates a winning product from one that never gets traction.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why Managed Service Provider (MSP) partnerships can be a startup’s secret weapon
• The must-have features MSPs demand from vendors
• How automation and AI are reshaping cybersecurity
• The biggest mistakes vendors make when pitching MSPs
• What the future holds for MSP services and security

If you’re in tech, you won’t want to miss this one!

About Brian Luckey: Brian Luckey is a transformational leader with 20+ years in IT, operations, and service delivery, Brian specializes in scaling businesses, optimizing performance, and driving innovation. As CIO at Integris, he enhances IT infrastructure, customer experience, and revenue growth for businesses of all sizes. With two MBAs and a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, he blends strategic vision with hands-on expertise to implement cutting-edge technologies, streamline processes, and foster high-performing teams.

About Ian Y. Garrett: As CEO and co-founder of Phalanx, Ian is revolutionizing secure file sharing for startups and SMBs. A former US Army Cyber officer and defense sector data scientist, he has firsthand experience tackling cybersecurity challenges at scale. Combining his operational expertise with Ph.D.-level research in AI and cybersecurity, Ian is building automation-driven solutions that eliminate human error and simplify data protection in an increasingly complex digital world.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Graduating from Set-Asides in Government Contracting: The Path to Sustainable Success | The Pair Program Ep56

In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen welcome two industry leaders: Greg Schaub, CFO of Anika Systems, and Rolf Holman, Chief Strategy Officer of Falconwood. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from small business set-asides to competing in the full and open market.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Effective strategies for safeguarding revenue during transitions between federal contracts
• How to build and fund a successful business development team for scalable growth
• The role of joint ventures and partnerships in maintaining competitiveness
• Modernization in technology and its impact on company culture
• Finding the right balance between internal innovation and strategic mergers/acquisitions

About Greg Schaub: Greg Schaub is the Chief Financial Officer at Anika Systems, overseeing financial strategy and growth initiatives. With over 20 years of experience, he has excelled in driving efficiency, managing mergers and acquisitions, and leading strategic transformations across industries such as defense, government services, and technology. Greg’s leadership is backed by advanced degrees in finance and business administration.

About Rolf Holman: Rolf Holman currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Falconwood. Rolf leads the strategic planning and initiatives including business development, mergers & acquisitions, transformation, and the company’s partnerships. An accomplished executive with over 30 years of global IT experience, across Defense & Security, Government, Banking, High Tech, Communications, Media, and Entertainment industries.

Exploring your next tech role? Get insider job advice and the latest startup & govtech openings – delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/

Securing the Future: Traditional IT vs. Blockchain in Banking | The Pair Program Ep55

In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen explore the future of cybersecurity in financial services with two distinguished experts: Jacques Boschung, CEO of Halborn and Sandip Wadje, Managing Director and Head of Emerging Technology Risks at BNP Paribas. Together, they unpack how blockchain, AI, and emerging technologies are reshaping cybersecurity and risk management in the financial sector.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of cybersecurity: From traditional IT to blockchain and AI.
• The role of quantum computing in reshaping encryption and security protocols.
• Why “Secure by Design” is a must-have for emerging technologies.
• Blockchain’s impact on risk management and settlement systems in finance.
• How AI is transforming threat detection and risk assessments in the banking world.

About Jacques Boschung: Jacques Boschung is the CEO of Halborn, a leader in Web2 and Web3 cybersecurity. Jacques has spent most of his career with prominent IT vendors such as HPE, IBM, and, more recently, Dell Technologies, where he served as SVP for EMEA Alliances and Telecom. Between 2020 and 2022, he was President and General Manager of Inovalon’s Payer business. Additionally, Jacques is a member of the board of Swiss Medical Network, the second-largest healthcare provider in Switzerland, and Chairman of Well Gesundheit AG, the leading medical app in that market.

About Sandip Wadje: Sandip Wadje is Managing Director and Head of Emerging Technology Risks at BNP Paribas. With over 23 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT risk, and compliance, Sandip specializes in Cloud, AI, and Digital Assets. He is recognized for simplifying complex risks, driving transformative change, and influencing Fortune 500 stakeholders to enhance technology and cybersecurity initiatives. Sandip has shaped regulatory guidelines, shared insights with industry forums and regulators, and led global teams. He has established Centers of Excellence and advanced cutting-edge technologies, earning a reputation for managing diverse, high-impact portfolios.

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CTO Wisdom with Charity Majors | Beyond the Program

Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.

Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Charity Majors, Co-founder and CTO of honeycomb.io

In today’s episode, they discuss:

• How Charity’s career started with a music scholarship and led to being a Founder, CEO and CTO.
• How a love of Command line and firefighting fueled a passion for infrastructure engineering.
• Navigating ADHD and its impact on building a successful career.
• The evolution from engineer to successful manager, director, and executive.
• The value of co-owned decisions and full board transparency at the executive level.
• And more!

About today’s guest: Charity Majors is the co-founder and CTO of honeycomb.io. She pioneered the concept of modern Observability, drawing on her years of experience building and managing massive distributed systems at Parse (acquired by Facebook), Facebook, and Linden Lab building Second Life. She is the co-author of Observability Engineering and Database Reliability Engineering (O'Reilly). She loves free speech, free software and single malt scotch.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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The AI Impact: Transforming Tech Roles and the Future of Work | The Pair Program Ep54

In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the workforce with two thought leaders shaping the future of tech talent: Dr. Diana Gehlhaus, Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project, and Angela Cough, Special Advisor to the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer.

Together, they explore:

• The evolution of tech roles as AI continues to redefine industries.
• The ripple effects of AI on hiring practices and workforce education.
• Key skill sets and industries poised for growth as AI evolves.
• How organizations can prepare for critical shifts in education and upskilling.

Dr. Gehlhaus and Cough bring their rich backgrounds in policy, defense, and innovation to discuss how AI is reshaping what it means to be "tech talent" and the opportunities it presents for professionals across various sectors.

Whether you're a tech leader, educator, or job seeker, this episode will inspire you to rethink how we approach the workforce in the age of AI.

About Diana Gehlhaus: Dr. Diana Gehlhaus is a Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project. She is also an adjunct policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. Diana was previously a senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (DoD CDAO), as well as a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET).

About Angela Cough: Angela Cough serves as Special Advisor to the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO). She leads the Digital Talent Management Division, driving innovation and advancing the DoD’s data, analytics, and AI workforce. Previously, Angela spearheaded the AI and Data Accelerator Initiative (ADA), enhancing digital capabilities across the Department and promoting data literacy. Her experience includes serving as Deputy Director of Defense Digital Services, managing counter-small unmanned product development, and contributing to NATO C-sUAS policy. With over 20 years of experience in startups and small businesses, Angela is also an entrepreneur, investor, and holds a black belt in the Martial Art of Tang Soo.

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Building and Scaling Customer Success Teams: A Startup’s Playbook | The Pair Program Ep53

In this episode, we sit down with Romaine Buck, VP of Customer Success at Articulate, and Toni Ann Careccio, Chief Customer Officer at PortPro, to explore the evolving role of Customer Success (CS) in startups and beyond. Both Romaine and Toni bring a wealth of experience in building and scaling CS teams that drive real value for customers and businesses alike.

They discuss:

• The impact of Customer Success: How CS helps companies uncover the “why” behind customer needs
• Key differences between customer success and customer service teams, and why this newer discipline has become essential in tech
• The role that CS teams play, including managing renewals, upselling, and building strong customer relationships
• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability within CS teams
• Where Romaine and Toni see this field heading for startups and beyond

If you’re scaling a startup, leading a CS team, or just curious about how Customer Success drives business impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies.

About Romaine Buck: Romaine is the VP of Customer Success at Articulate - an e-learning software company for creating workplace training. Before Articulate, Romaine was the Director of CS at Sprout Social and led CS for the central region of LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions product. Romaine transitioned into Customer Success after a sales career at LinkedIn and Monster.com. Prior to saas, Romaine also had careers in property management and journalism.

About Toni Ann Careccio: Toni is the Chief Customer Officer and Board Member at PortPro, a technology company with deep expertise in the global drayage industry. She has built an expert team of drayage and customer success experts to ensure that PortPro’s clients are taken care of from the minute they join the company by carefully listening to their needs and addressing their concerns. Before her role at PortPro, Toni worked as an Associate at Edison Partners where she was responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities in the Enterprise Solutions sector. Prior to this she co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer for Axle Technologies, a robust ELD and Fleet Management Solution for trucking companies in the US and Mexico.