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EP 111: How Defense Tech Startups Get Funded | AI, Warfare, and Venture Capital with Brad Harrison @ Scout Ventures | EP 111
Description
From building startups to backing the future of warfare, this episode covers what founders need to know about capital, defense tech, and AI.
Brad Harrison, Founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, shares how fast defense technology is evolving—and why selling into this space is harder than most expect.
He explains how AI, drones, and autonomous systems are reshaping warfare, and why success requires more than a strong product—founders need the right networks, industry insight, and an understanding of government buyers.
The conversation also covers how deals work in defense tech, what investors look for, and why choosing the right capital matters—especially when navigating government contracts.
If you’re a founder, investor, or operator in AI, defense, or emerging tech, this episode offers a clear view on how to build and fund in this space.
What you’ll learn:
- How operator experience shapes investment decisions
- Why defense tech innovation is accelerating
- How AI and autonomous systems are changing warfare
- Why startups struggle with defense procurement
- What gets funded in defense tech today
- How to align with real government demand
- Why networks and relationships matter
- What drives successful outcomes and exits
- Why understanding the end buyer is critical
- How capital strategy impacts growth
Raising capital?
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Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:
https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=EP+111&utm_campaign=%24100M+Exits
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Entrepreneur Journey
01:55 Founder Support at Scout
03:46 Army Futures Command Shift
05:17 Ukraine Drone Autonomy Leap
08:12 Why US Procurement Lags
10:53 Key Defense Tech Domains
12:43 GPS Denied Navigation
15:17 Next Gen Wireless 6G
18:44 Founder Goals and Focus
20:43 Red Flags and Hard Calls
23:57 What Gets Funded Now
28:19 Vendor Lock Risks
29:11 AI Security Threats
30:31 Autonomy Changes Warfare
31:50 Selling to the Pentagon
32:27 RFPs, TRLs, and SBIRs
35:48 Lobbying and Budgets
38:28 Founder Insight Advantage
41:16 Tomahawk Robotics Exit
44:32 Defense Tech M&A Drivers
49:39 Scout Fund Strategy
51:53 Space Deterrence Vision
56:32 Founder Upside and Wrap
ABOUT BRAD HARRISON
Brad Harrison is the Founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, backing companies like ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics.
A former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and West Point graduate, he later studied at MIT Sloan, focusing on building new ventures.
He has advised leaders at the White House and Pentagon on defense and innovation, and is now based in Austin, Texas.
You can reach out to Brad through:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradharrison
Website: https://www.scout.vc/
ABOUT JASON KIRBY
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder, a tech-enabled investment bank helping founders reach their ideal target outcomes through capital strategy and M&A.
He is a serial e