Upcoming Events, Courses, and Talks

The relationship between defense innovation and commercial technology has shaped America's technological leadership for decades—from the internet to GPS, from semiconductors to artificial intelligence. This informational seminar, hosted by Frontier Mission Network, explores how national security priorities continue to drive breakthrough innovations and create opportunities for commercial technology companies.

 

Led by Thomas Day, co-founder and executive director of Frontier Mission Network, this session unpacks the deep and evolving connection between the U.S. Department of Defense and the American innovation economy. You'll gain insights into the historic role of the defense community in developing technologies that became commercial breakthroughs, understanding how this ecosystem operates today and where it's heading.

 

This session will also explore opportunities for Chicagoland startups to pursue dual-use applications of their technologies. You'll learn how Frontier Mission Network provides direct support to help startups navigate this complex landscape, from identifying relevant opportunities to preparing proposals and building relationships with defense stakeholders. Whether you're building autonomy systems, advanced materials, energy solutions, or other deep tech, understanding the defense innovation ecosystem can open new markets and funding sources while contributing to national security.

 

About the Organization

  

The Frontier Mission Network is a nonprofit organization serving the region’s national security sector, including research laboratories, startups and small- and medium-sized businesses, capital investors, and federal acquisitions authorities. We provide a unified process to bring inventions from the lab to the commercial and defense markets, catalyzing growth of alternative defense suppliers and developing technologies of critical importance to our national security and the security of America’s allies. In a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and power competition, the Frontier Mission Network provides partners an avenue to actively support American interests.