Many leading, young defense technology companies were in Washington yesterday to take the stage at Capitol Turnaround in 15 minute intervals to introduce and demonstrate their products’ capabilities in front of an audience of government officials, investors, and the overall Washington ecosystem. This was Manifest: Demo Day, an event produced by LongWalk Technologies and its co-founders, Mike Slagh and Landon Bell. In all, nearly three dozen companies presented their work.
From a rocket motor propellant manufacturer, to autonomous naval vessels, to secure mobile networks, (just to name a few) these companies and founders are at the leading edge of new capabilities for America’s war-fighters operating in a constantly-changing environment.
Many founders are former servicemembers themselves who, informed by their lived experiences, are working to provide technology that is practical and in working order 99.99 percent of the time.
This was an event unlike most in Washington. But it is exactly the type of event we need more of. Some of the most impactful interactions you have while in government are getting outside of the beltway and interacting with the people who are working to make their communities or country a better and safer place.
But in a nod to the mission of the companies themselves, Manifest took out the logistical complications and brought America’s next defense technologies right to our doorstep.
