Join Monterey Bay DART and the Institute for Innovation & Economic Development (iiED) for a dynamic meetup that combines defense innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. This event aims to unite local experts in DoD innovation, entrepreneurs, investors, and government contracting advisors to delve into DoD entrepreneurship and innovation programs.

At this event, speakers from across the DoD, local support entities, and DoD-engaged entrepreneurs will share their knowledge in a semi-structured learning environment. The focus will be on informing and inspiring entrepreneurs to engage with DoD entrepreneurship vehicles to drive rapid dual-use technological development to meet DoD’s mission-critical needs.

We invite you to join us as we embrace the ethos of local DoD innovation experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and government contracting advisors, forging connections and catalyzing innovation within the defense ecosystem.

* **Featured speakers at this event include:

• Ashley Book, NPS Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) (confirmed)
• Bill Sherrod, HawkTower Advisor (confirmed)
• Jordan Caballero, Monterey Bay APEX Accelerator (confirmed)
• Art Siordia, Airspace Integration (confirmed)
• Marco Romani, NPS NavalX Tech Bridge Director (confirmed)

Parking: Free at the venue

Special thanks to our event sponsors: The James Irvine Foundation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), BlueTech Valley Innovation Cluster, The Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (iiED), CSUMB College of Business, Wells Fargo, 1st Capital Bank,

Thank you to our marketing partners: Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, Santa Cruz Works