Newsletter: MIT Sloan Defense Technology Club

The MIT Sloan Defense Technology Club (DTC) is excited to publish its first newsletter. In these emails, we plan to send updates on upcoming club events, job/internship leads, and pertinent industry news. 

The DTC officers look forward to seeing how this newsletter evolves. To provide suggestions, please email Caitlin Haner chaner@mit.edu. Too long, too short? Let me know! Want different content? Shoot me a quick message! The club officers love your feedback.

If you're not yet a member, we'd love for you to officially join the club! You can sign up here.

Content

• Upcoming Events
• Internship and Accelerator Opportunities
• In the News

Upcoming Events 

March 26th, Panel On: The Defense Innovation Ecosystem

Dial in for our biggest event yet this Friday, March 26th, from 12:30-1:30 EST. We'll hear from dynamic leaders in the industry including:

• Brian Schimpf - CEO and Co-founder of Anduril Industries
• Major General Rich Staats - Commanding General of the US Army Reserves 75th Innovation Command
• Thomas Hendrix - Co-founder and Managing Partner of Decisive Point (investing and advising)
• Matthew Merighi - Northeast Regional Director of the National Security Innovation Network

April 9th, Fireside Chat with COL Dan Kearney 

COL Dan Kearney works at the US Army's XVIII Airborne Corps as the Director of PROJECT RIDGWAY, the Corps’ effort to educate, train, and acquire the tools for becoming an AI Ready formation in the Army. He is the Future Operations planner and lead agent for all matters in direct support to the commander.

During this fireside chat, COL Kearney will discuss how Army units identify and source the technology that will keep them competitive globally in pursuit of U.S. National security objectives. He may also speak about specific initiatives within defense innovation.

Sign up for the discussion here!

Venture Capital Analyst/Associate Internship

Job Description: Decisive Point (one of our event panel organizations this Friday) is seeking a Venture Capital Analyst/Associate Summer Intern to join their team and support their venture investment practice. You will conduct market research, due diligence, financial analysis, and engage directly with startups (both potential investments and portfolio companies). This role sits at the intersection of national security, government, and technology, allowing you to gain valuable exposure to both the federal market and early-stage startup ecosystems.

Learn more and apply here!

Defense Innovation Accelerator AMA (non-club, associate event) - March 29th

FedTech Security Startup Studio 

About FedTech's Startup Studio Program: FedTech's Startup Studio program pairs teams of entrepreneurs together to assess the commercialization potential of US National Lab Technologies hand-in-hand with lab scientists and technologists. Teams will explore forming starts around those technologies to solve the real-world problems of government and commercial customers. FedTech is currently recruiting diverse applicants who are ready to continue their entrepreneurship journey or take a step into the world of entrepreneurship, without the initial risk of leaving their day job, paying any fee, or giving up any equity. 

Learn about the program here.
Fill out the rolling application here. 

In the News: Jetpacks

The Washington Times (3/21) reports that DARPA “is taking another crack at personal flying devices, inviting companies to send their proposals for developing and demonstrating ‘novel or unique approaches to personal battlefield mobility.’” Officials “said entries could be a modification of existing prototypes – such as the Bell Rocket Belt – or could embrace entirely new designs.” Agency officials also “said the platforms would be used on a variety of missions, including urban combat, search-and-rescue, and deploying special forces troops into a battlefield.” However, the military would “prefer a platform with a low profile,” and a soldier “must be able to assemble it within 10 minutes using only simple tools – or better yet, no tools at all.”

Article found via the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics daily newsletter. (You can sign up for the newsletter with a student account here)