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

From building startups to backing the future of warfare, this episode covers what founders need to know about capital, defense tech, and AI.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.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.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.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.What you’ll learn:How operator experience shapes investment decisionsWhy defense tech innovation is acceleratingHow AI and autonomous systems are changing warfareWhy startups struggle with defense procurementWhat gets funded in defense tech todayHow to align with real government demandWhy networks and relationships matterWhat drives successful outcomes and exitsWhy understanding the end buyer is criticalHow capital strategy impacts growthRaising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=EP+111&utm_campaign=%24100M+ExitsGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=EP+111&utm_campaign=%24100M+ExitsHere's what you're in for:00:00 Entrepreneur Journey01:55 Founder Support at Scout03:46 Army Futures Command Shift05:17 Ukraine Drone Autonomy Leap08:12 Why US Procurement Lags10:53 Key Defense Tech Domains12:43 GPS Denied Navigation15:17 Next Gen Wireless 6G18:44 Founder Goals and Focus20:43 Red Flags and Hard Calls23:57 What Gets Funded Now28:19 Vendor Lock Risks29:11 AI Security Threats30:31 Autonomy Changes Warfare31:50 Selling to the Pentagon32:27 RFPs, TRLs, and SBIRs35:48 Lobbying and Budgets38:28 Founder Insight Advantage41:16 Tomahawk Robotics Exit44:32 Defense Tech M&A Drivers49:39 Scout Fund Strategy51:53 Space Deterrence Vision56:32 Founder Upside and WrapABOUT BRAD HARRISON Brad Harrison is the Founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, backing companies like ID.me, Voyager Space, and Tomahawk Robotics.A former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and West Point graduate, he later studied at MIT Sloan, focusing on building new ventures.He has advised leaders at the White House and Pentagon on defense and innovation, and is now based in Austin, Texas.You can reach out to Brad through:LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradharrison ⁠Website: ⁠https://www.scout.vc/⁠ ABOUT JASON KIRBYJason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder, a tech-enabled investment bank helping founders reach their ideal target outcomes through capital strategy and M&A. He is a serial entrepreneur with four exits and decades of experience in fundraising, M&A, and business building. In his career, he has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, M&A, and business development. He’s transacted over $135M, and his firm Thunder has transacted over $200M+You can reach out to Jason through:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ABOUT $100M EXITSMy goal is simple: to equip founders with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of capital strategy to take your company where you ultimately want it, by interviewing founders and investors who have already done it. For most, it’s a dream to sell for $100M+, but for others, it’s too cash flow or IPO. Founders doing over $5M in revenue will benefit the most from this podcast. Be sure to subscribe and let me know who you want me to interview next.