NYNSF

WHY NYC?

WHY Now?

The New York National Security Forum is an annual, invitation-only convening that connects defense-tech founders with the acquisition executives, appropriators, and senior government stakeholders who move capability from prototype to program of record.

Where capability meets capital — this Forum brings together technology, warfighters, and money, scaling defense innovation beyond the Beltway to the financial capital of the world.

Direct matchmaking between founders building dual-use technology and the PAEs who can accelerate their path from prototype to operational deployment.

Founders

Defense-tech companies building for contested environments

Aqusition

Portfolio Acquisition Executives from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines

Capital

Strategic investors and financial leaders accelerating deployment

Founders

Defense-tech companies building for contested environments

Aquisition

Portfolio Acquisition Executives from Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines

Capital

Strategic investors and financial leaders accelerating deployment

Event Agenda

11:00 AM – 7:30 PM EST

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Registration + Coffee Sessions

Check-in, badging, coffee, and light bites. Topic Tables: pre-arranged tables for informal discussion by capability area (Maritime Autonomy, Counter-UAS, AI/ML, Space Systems). Government and military attendees stationed at tables for early engagement.

1:00 PM – 1:10 PM

Forum Framing: Why NYC, Why Now

Brief scene-setter on the National Defense Strategy, INDOPACOM priorities, and why this convening matters for scaling defense innovation.

1:10 PM – 1:40 PM

Opening Keynote

Strategic context on INDOPACOM requirements, modern conflict dynamics, and speed-to-deployment. Speaker TBA.

1:40 PM – 2:10 PM

Fireside Chat: Active Contract Case Study

PAE + Founder + Neo-Prime: from requirements to deployment — what worked, what didn’t, and how to replicate success.

2:10 PM – 2:25 PM

Networking Break

Coffee and light refreshments.

2:25 PM – 3:10 PM

Capability Sessions

Three rapid 15-minute sessions providing actionable guidance on navigating government contracting vehicles, procurement pathways, and partnership models.

3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

Transition + Matchmaking Cards

Attendees receive personalized matchmaking cards with assigned tables and time slots based on pre-event intake forms.

3:25 PM – 5:25 PM

Structured 1:1 Matchmaking

10-minute rotating sessions. Companies stationed at tables, PAEs rotate. Pre-matched based on technology areas, target customer sets, and capability requirements.

5:25 PM – 6:30 PM

Open Networking Reception

Unstructured follow-up conversations, drinks, and continued relationship-building.

7:30 PM+

Invite-Only Stakeholder Dinner

Strategic partners, key PAEs, select founders, and advisors.