DIB Innovators

In a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, Lt. Gen. Nahom , (USAF, ret), brings invaluable perspective on how Arctic security, budget realities, and emerging technologies are reshaping military strategy. In this episode of DIB Innovators, Lt. Gen. Nahom offers Dave unique insights into why the Arctic has become a critical frontier for national security while climate change creates new opportuni...

Advanced Space CEO & President Bradley Cheetham 's journey from a PhD student at CU Boulder to successfully putting a satellite around the moon demonstrates how small, innovative companies can lead space exploration with minimal capital. In this episode of DIB Innovators, Bradley shares with Dave how his 14-year journey began with a purpose to enable the sustainable exploration, development, a...

The security landscape has radically transformed from counter-terrorism to strategic competition with nation states who are actively positioning cyber assets to disable American infrastructure during potential conflicts. In this vital discussion examining National Security Memorandum 22 (NSM-22), Gen. VanHerck , former Commander of United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defens...

Stewart Hamel , CEO, took an eccentric side project for his ranch and transformed it into SkyRunner , a revolutionary air utility transport vehicle that's changing the future of defense sector mobility. In this episode of DIB Innovators, Stewart tells Dave how a viral CNN Money video caught military attention, leading to design input from special operations teams that transformed his vehicle into...

Vertical lift aviation is on the cusp of its biggest revolution since the helicopter itself, and John Piasecki , President & CEO of Piasecki Aircraft , is at the forefront with game-changing technologies that could cut operational costs in half while meeting complex military requirements.    In this episode of DIB Innovators John walks Dave through how his family's aerospace legacy is evolving...

In Dave ’s latest conversation on DIB Innovators, he uncovers how Slingshot Aerospace has become one of the few major entities globally collecting space data at scale, alongside superpowers like the US, China, and Russia. Erik Ekwurzel , CDIO, explains how their patented optical sensor technology, which is deployed across 22 global sites, can detect objects as small as CubeSats while collecting cr...

Imagine aircraft that can stay aloft for weeks, transforming how militaries conduct surveillance across vast distances — that's the game-changing reality Robert Miller , Co-founder & CEO at Skydweller Aero , shares with Dave in this episode of DIB Innovators.    With decades of aerospace experience from Stanford to leading classified projects at Northrop Grumman, Robert walks through how his t...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Scott Schneider , CEO & Co-founder of HTX Labs , takes us from his early days working on classified government programs at Texas Instruments to building a revolutionary virtual reality platform transforming military training. Scott highlights how they unexpectedly pivoted from corporate active shooter training to becoming a key partner with the US Air Force,...

Bill Berrien , CEO of Pindel Global Precision , has discovered a fascinating parallel: both special operations and advanced manufacturing rely on highly cohesive, highly trained teams enabled by cutting-edge technology to punch above their weight. In this episode of DIB Innovators, he reveals how he's revolutionizing manufacturing by adopting military principles, from creating a model for workforc...

In the early 1990s Brian Peters , Founder/CEO of Inneos recalls, "lasers were a solution looking for a problem. Today, Inneos is transforming military platforms by replacing traditional copper wiring with advanced fiber optic solutions, significantly reducing weight and enhancing security across air, land, and sea vehicles. In this compelling episode of DIB Innovators, Brian walks Dave through how...

How does a former real estate broker end up revolutionizing satellite protection at Mach 21? Trevor Smith , President & CEO of Atomic-6 , brings just this unique perspective about aerospace innovation to his conversation with Dave . His company is transforming space technology through groundbreaking composite materials, including their "space armor" that protects satellites from debris traveli...

Join Michael Simmons , Co-founder & COO of EolianVR , as he details the company's journey from conception — a chance reunion with his now business partner at Rockefeller Center — to becoming a leading innovator in defense technology. Their flagship product, ARTAK, is revolutionizing military mission planning by combining AR/VR capabilities with real-time data integration, creating immersive 3D...

Space industry pioneer Jim Cantrell , CEO & Co-founder of Phantom Space , joins in on this episode of DIB Innovators to share how his company is revolutionizing space access by developing cost-effective launch vehicles, building turnkey satellite solutions, and creating an innovative "space cloud" infrastructure.    Jim explains to Dave how the space industry is evolving from hardware-centric...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Andrei Evulet , Co-founder, CEO and CTO, Jetoptera . Andrei shares how their unique ejector-based propulsion system is addressing key aviation challenges, from noise reduction to speed optimization, which have potential for both commercial and government customers.    With applications ranging from unmanned drones to high-speed air taxis, Jetopte...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Lynndy Smith , President & CEO of the Arizona Defense and Industry Coalition (AZDIC). Lynndy shares how AZDIC brings together small and large defense companies to solve critical challenges like supply chain bottlenecks and foreign military sales delays. She highlights AZDIC’s work in helping Ukraine develop a domestic defense industry and sup...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Bentzion Levinson , Founder & CEO of HevenDrones about the groundbreaking technologies shaping modern drone applications. Bentzion dives into how hydrogen fuel cells are revolutionizing long-endurance, stealthy drone operations, enabling energy independence even in remote battlefields.    He also highlights the role of modular drone designs i...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Damian DiPippa , CEO of Auria Space , about the evolving challenges and innovations in the space industry. Damian shares insights from his extensive career, emphasizing the importance of space domain awareness in tracking thousands of objects in orbit to ensure safety. Damian also discusses the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting space a...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Scott Toppel , President of AVATAR Partners , to explore the transformative power of augmented and virtual reality in training and operational readiness. Scott shares his experiences from the cockpit, illustrating how real-time information enhances decision-making in high-pressure environments.    Together, they also dive into the significance of...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Kevin Huyck , COO of Red 6 , to discuss the transformative role of augmented reality in military training. Kevin shares insights on how AR technology enhances pilot training by integrating synthetic entities into live flight scenarios, providing a more realistic and immersive experience.    He also addresses the challenges the military faces in p...

In this episode of DIB Innovators, Dave speaks with Nathan Kundtz , CEO of Rendered.ai , to explore the transformative potential of synthetic data in artificial intelligence. Nathan shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and discusses the critical role of physics-based simulations in generating accurate datasets that enhance AI performance.    He emphasizes the importance of ethical...

On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David speaks with Brendan Stewart , VP of Regulatory Affairs at Red Cat Holdings , about the transformative impact of drone technology in defense and aerospace. Brendan shares insights on the regulatory challenges that slow down innovation and the importance of strategic partnerships in developing tailored solutions for military applications. ...

In this special episode of DIB Innovators, RADICL’s CEO, CTO and Co-founder, Chris Petersen steps in to host a webinar about all things CMMC. Chris welcomes five CMMC experts who can speak about why it originated, how it might evolve, and the impact on businesses in the DIB as they plan to address the impact of CMMC on their business. The guests include Gen. Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle , Retired, U...

On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David speaks with Josh Hartman , Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at LightRidge Solutions . Josh shares his insights on the evolving landscape of space defense. He discusses the impact of competitive endurance theory on orbital warfare, emphasizing the need for resilience and deterrence in the face of potential threats.    Josh also highlights...

On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David speaks with Collin Sweeney , CTO & Co-founder of ZKX Solutions , who shares his insights on the innovative applications of zero-knowledge proofs in enhancing digital identity verification and cybersecurity.    He discusses the importance of collaboration in developing effective security solutions and emphasizes the need to understand...

On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David speaks with Colby Harvey , CEO & Founder of Ultraview , to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative solutions his company is bringing to the aviation sector. Colby shares valuable insights on the importance of listening to customer feedback, which has been pivotal in shaping Ultraview's product development.    He also di...