W. Celeste Davis Stragand’s Post

Are you a startup? Take advantage of the Early Bird application fee for SXSW Pitch! Early Bird Entry: June 25–September 8, 2024 (Fee $100) New Category for 2025 Security, GovTech & Space Technology in this category improves the ability of first responders & other public safety personnel to serve their communities. This category leverages technology from six major areas: artificial intelligence/machine learning, autonomy, cyber, energy, human systems, and space. Autonomous systems can be further subcategorized into awareness & security, unmanned aerial systems, and maritime autonomy. Space can be further subcategorized into launch services, domain & situational awareness, transport & navigation, satellites & connectivity," manufacturing and hypersonic. Quotes from a few of last year’s finalists Koru Collaborative Insight Nexus SXSW is unlike any event that I have ever experienced - the energy, passion, and variety of businesses and individauls at the conference was inspiring. Can't wait to return to 2025!  Phiogen Pharma SXSW Pitch isn't just about networking and pitching your company; it's about building lasting connections that can transform the trajectory of your startup. The people I have met throughout the process have opened doors and accelerated our growth in ways I never thought possible. If you're a startup looking to scale and thrive, this event is non-negotiable.     You can always find the most updated details at https://lnkd.in/gsDWJQsD.

I'm excited to share some groundbreaking news from the world of AI and defense technology! Shield AI, a pioneering startup in autonomous aircraft and drone software, has just achieved a remarkable milestone. The company's valuation has skyrocketed to $5 billion, nearly doubling from its previous valuation of $2.8 billion just a year ago. This surge in valuation comes as part of a new fundraising round, where Shield AI is set to raise approximately $200 million. What's particularly interesting is the diverse group of investors involved, including: Tech giants: Palantir Aerospace leaders: Airbus and L3 Harris Venture capital firms: Andreessen Horowitz, Point72 Ventures, and Riot Ventures Shield AI's core product, the "Hivemind" software, is truly revolutionary. It enables drones and aircraft to operate autonomously without GPS, communications, or human pilots. This technology is already being adopted by various companies, including traditional defense contractors. The increasing interest in defense technology startups like Shield AI reflects the changing landscape of national security. With ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, there's a growing reliance on advanced AI products for military applications. This development is not just a win for Shield AI, but a testament to the rising importance of Silicon Valley in shaping the future of defense technology. It's an exciting time for innovation in this sector, and I'm eager to see how these advancements will contribute to our national security and technological progress. What are your thoughts on this intersection of AI, defense, and investment? How do you see this trend impacting the future of military technology and strategy? #AIinDefense #TechInnovation #NationalSecurity #StartupSuccess

Hey startup founders! Did you know there is a new category for the 2025 SXSW Pitch Competition? It's Security, GovTech & Space 🚀 If your startup is a good fit for this one or any other categories, apply here: https://lnkd.in/gi6SEm_i Early Bird Entry: June 25–September 8, 2024 (Fee $100) Details: Technology in this category improves the ability of first responders & other public safety personnel to serve their communities. This category leverages technology from six major areas: artificial intelligence/machine learning, autonomy, cyber, energy, human systems, and space. Autonomous systems can be further subcategorized into awareness & security, unmanned aerial systems, and maritime autonomy. Space can be further subcategorized into launch services, domain & situational awareness, transport & navigation, satellites & connectivity," manufacturing and hypersonic.

🪖 Excited to share our mapping of 100+ Nordic defence and dual-use tech startups on Dealroom.co, showcasing strengths in space tech, quantum computing, and maritime technology. Stay tuned for our full report with Danske Growth after the summer! 🛡️ If you know other startups that should be mentioned, please let us know in the comments 👇 #defence #defense #dualuse #spacetech #quantumcomputing

We kick off the week with an exciting announcement: introducing a new feature—embedding! 🌐 Now, with SurveyTransfer, you can embed a shared project into your website. You'll find more details about this in the advanced share settings page which can be accessed by clicking on the ”Share project” button and then clicking on the settings icon. 🔀 ❔ Why is embedding beneficial, you may ask? Besides facilitating data sharing, embedding serves as a potent marketing tool, enabling you to showcase maps and 3D files directly on your website. Unleash your creativity! Dive into our Basic package for a 14-day trial and experience the embedding feature firsthand today! 🎨🖌 [ https://lnkd.in/d4C_XFJK ] #startup #GIS #geoinformatics #drone #SurveyTransfer

🛡️🪖Defence Tech is rising up the agenda in the Nordics and Europe. With Mikkel Skott Olsen and the team at Danske Growth, my colleague Luke Lantsoght Bartoli and I mapped 100+ Nordic defence and dual-use tech startups in the Nordics on Dealroom.co for a report coming out after the summer. 👍Overall, the Nordics, and especially Finland, have a strong Space tech and Quantum computing startup scene. 🚀🔬 All the Nordics also have an interesting startup scene around maritime technology, like autonomous surface vessels. 🤖🌊 👎However, the region does not show a really developed defence tech startup scene and lags also in cybersecurity innovation. 🛡️🧑💻 A few key innovators in the Nordics (many more in the full landscape!): 📶Resilient communication networks: KNL, Quadsat ⚔️Weapons and armours: AnyBody Technology A/S, MyDefence 🧠AI x defence: Scaleout 🎯Trainding and simulation: BlinkTroll Robotics 🤖✈️Drones and UAVs: Nordic Unmanned, Sky-Watch A/S, Skypuzzler ApS 🤖 Ground robotics: GIM Robotics 🤖🌊 Maritime technologies: Maritime Robotics AS, Hefring Marine, Skarv Technologies, Havguard AS 🛰️📡Satellites (earth observation and connectivity): ICEYE, Kuva Space, ReOrbit, PandionAI 🔬 Quantum computing: IQM Quantum Computers, QuantrolOx, Sparrow Quantum, SemiQon, Kvantify, Algorithmiq 🧑💻Cybersecurity: Recorded Future, 61N 🔎Advanced sensor technology: ElFys, Inc., Sensrad ⚙️Advanced materials and manufacturing: ATLANT 3D, Norsk Titanium ☣️Biodefence: IONLACE - We're hiring! Do you know other startups which we should add to the mapping? Let us know in the comments 👇 (not all space tech companies have been added to the landscape, only a selection) #defence #defense #dualuse #spacetech #quantumcomputing

🚀 How AI Startups Can Capitalize on SpaceX’s Starship and AI Innovations 🚀 The recent SpaceX Starship flight test is a milestone for space exploration and an opportunity for AI startups to break into the next frontier. From AI-driven navigation to autonomous robots, startups can now play a critical role in space missions. 🌌 💡 Discover key opportunities for AI startups: Autonomous navigation systems 🌍 Real-time data processing 📊 AI-enhanced robotics 🤖 Space manufacturing and in-orbit servicing 🛠️ With $4.6 billion raised for space startups in 2023, the time is NOW for AI-driven innovation in space tech. 🚀 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d4i4UXrM #AIstartups #SpaceExploration #AIInnovation #Starship #SpaceTech #LablabAI

⭐ 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐭-𝐮𝐩𝐬! ⭐ We’re proud to introduce CleverHive Space as one of the newest #startups in ESA BIC Poland! CleverHive Space is developing mission control software for the next generation of Lunar rovers and mobile robots on Earth. The software is designed to streamline operations for teams working in real time. With experience from over 40 analog rover missions, their platform enhances communication, simplifies terrain analysis, facilitates data sharing, and streamlines mission planning. 👏 Nina Bażela, Adam Zagrajek, Jan Brzyk, Robert Żuk, Szymon Bednorz Learn more about CleverHive Space's innovative solutions at https://lnkd.in/de3KJcSf Stay with us to see how they transform mission control for lunar adventures! Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A. | Rzeszowska Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego S.A. #20yearsESABIC #esabicpoland #esabicpl #ESABIC #Incubation #Innovation #Business #SpaceInnovation #SpaceTech #LunarExploration #MissionControl

VC investment in defense tech is on the rise, fueled by the AI boom. Anduril’s $1B round in late 2022 sparked a surge, and despite a funding dip in early 2024, Anduril Industries is now raising another $1.5B at a $12.5B valuation. Other key investments in AI-focused defense startups include True Anomaly’s $100M for space security, Shield AI’s $200M for autonomous fighters, and Gecko Robotics’ $173M for infrastructure. With AI startups gaining traction in defense, could we be on the verge of another explosive tech boom? READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/dTkyhPKq #techbuzz #usa #defense #artificialintelligence #robotics

Lizette Chapman’s article "The 10 Defense Tech Startups to Watch in 2025" highlights the rapid innovation shaping the future of warfare, driven by cutting-edge technologies developed by emerging companies. Startups like Anduril and Astranis are leading the charge, with groundbreaking projects ranging from hypersonic planes to large-scale drone factories. These technologies promise to redefine military operations, offering enhanced speed, precision, and efficiency on the battlefield. The increasing adoption of AI, autonomous systems, and space-based technologies is at the heart of this transformation. Companies are not only focusing on traditional defense solutions but also exploring next-generation capabilities like advanced surveillance, communication satellites, and unmanned systems. These innovations are designed to provide militaries with strategic advantages in areas such as situational awareness, logistics, and combat readiness. This trend underscores the growing influence of private sector innovation in national security, as governments increasingly rely on agile startups to address emerging threats.