ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
The ecosystem of innovation that surrounds government and the Department of Defense may seem like a tangled mess, but there are numerous opportunities to plug in.
- Are you an entrepreneur looking to solve government, military, or intelligence community problems?
- Are you an out of the box thinker looking to network with like-minded people around D.C.?
- Are you a government or military leader who needs to break out of a rut and meet people who look at things a bit differently?
- Do you run a group, a company, or an agency that needs access to private sector innovation?
Come and attend this one day workshop to get a walk through of various programs inside and outside of government. You will get a breakdown of:
- human networks that are making a difference, both virtually and in the real world
- tools and resources that help an idea become reality, and a small invention become a big company
- funding sources in both the private sector and in government
- problems that need your innovative solutions
During the workshop you will get a ton of information and methods for taking immediate action on your ideas. Additionaly, you'll have time to network with other attendees, pitch your idea, or build a team.
AGENDA
9:15 Registration Opens
10:00 Opening Remarks
The Innovation Spectrum and Product vs. Process Innovation
10:30 Session 1
Human Networks you should join - from trade associations to LinkedIn groups, learn which ones are funneling innovation to government and government problem sets to private sector innovators
11: 15 Session 2
Tools for Growth - the quick and dirty on emerging trends in small business scaling including coworking spaces, incubators, accelerators and apps
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Session 3
Funding Options - A who's who of defense sector Angels, VCs, loan programs, crowdfunding and government R&D funding programs
2:00 Networking Break
2:15 Session 4
Problems to Solve - A walk through of government problems and how entrepreneurs can innovate around real world problem sets
3:00 Networking Break
3:15 Session 5
How to take Action - Practical next steps for entrepreneurs, government leaders, veterans and innovative companies
4:00 Happy Hour Networking Event, TBD
PREREQS & PREPARATION
This is a highly interactive day with a lot of opportunity to try out new tools and opportunities live. Do bring:
- wifi capable laptop or tablet
- business cards (if you have them)
ABOUT GRAHAM PLASTER
Graham is the CEO of www.TheIntelligenceCommunity.com moderating the largest LinkedIn group for National Security professionals. In that role he also serves as an adviser for numerous social networking, crowdsourcing, veteran entrepreneurship and strategic communications projects across the defense and intelligence sectors. He is co-author to the LA Times bestselling book, "In the Shadow of Greatness" which Tom Brokaw calls a "must read for all Americans"