EP 111: How Defense Tech Startups Get Funded | AI, Warfare, and Venture Capital with Brad Harrison @ Scout Ventures | EP 111

<p>From building startups to backing the future of warfare, this episode covers what founders need to know about capital, defense tech, and AI.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>What you’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>How operator experience shapes investment decisions</li><li>Why defense tech innovation is accelerating</li><li>How AI and autonomous systems are changing warfare</li><li>Why startups struggle with defense procurement</li><li>What gets funded in defense tech today</li><li>How to align with real government demand</li><li>Why networks and relationships matter</li><li>What drives successful outcomes and exits</li><li>Why understanding the end buyer is critical</li><li>How capital strategy impacts growth</li></ul><p><strong>Raising capital?</strong></p><p>Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here:<a href="https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders"> </a><a href="https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=EP+111&utm_campaign=%24100M+Exits"><u>https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&amp;utm_medium=EP+111&amp;utm_campaign=%24100M+Exits</u></a></p><p>Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:</p><p><a href="https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=EP+111&utm_campaign=%24100M+Exits"><u>https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&amp;utm_medium=EP+111&amp;utm_campaign=%24100M+Exits</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Here&#39;s what you&#39;re in for:</strong></p><p>00:00 Entrepreneur Journey</p><p>01:55 Founder Support at Scout</p><p>03:46 Army Futures Command Shift</p><p>05:17 Ukraine Drone Autonomy Leap</p><p>08:12 Why US Procurement Lags</p><p>10:53 Key Defense Tech Domains</p><p>12:43 GPS Denied Navigation</p><p>15:17 Next Gen Wireless 6G</p><p>18:44 Founder Goals and Focus</p><p>20:43 Red Flags and Hard Calls</p><p>23:57 What Gets Funded Now</p><p>28:19 Vendor Lock Risks</p><p>29:11 AI Security Threats</p><p>30:31 Autonomy Changes Warfare</p><p>31:50 Selling to the Pentagon</p><p>32:27 RFPs, TRLs, and SBIRs</p><p>35:48 Lobbying and Budgets</p><p>38:28 Founder Insight Advantage</p><p>41:16 Tomahawk Robotics Exit</p><p>44:32 Defense Tech M&amp;A Drivers</p><p>49:39 Scout Fund Strategy</p><p>51:53 Space Deterrence Vision</p><p>56:32 Founder Upside and Wrap</p><p><br></p><p><strong>ABOUT BRAD HARRISON </strong></p><p>Brad Harrison is the Founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, backing companies like ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics.</p><p>A former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and West Point graduate, he later studied at MIT Sloan, focusing on building new ventures.</p><p>He has advised leaders at the White House and Pentagon on defense and innovation, and is now based in Austin, Texas.</p><p><strong>You can reach out to Brad through:</strong></p><p>LinkedIn:<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/bradharrison">⁠<strong> </strong><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradharrison </u>⁠</a></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.scout.vc/">⁠<u>https://www.scout.vc/</u>⁠</a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>ABOUT JASON KIRBY</strong></p><p>Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder, a tech-enabled investment bank helping founders reach their ideal target outcomes through capital strategy and