Robotics in Defense—A Bridge Between Innovation and Department of Defense Challenges

On September 17th, MassRobotics and MITRE hosted an event aimed at fostering collaboration between innovative tech startups and the Department of Defense (DoD). The annual event brought together leaders from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), Army Research Lab and J2 Ventures, with the robotics startup community in Boston. The goal was clear: explore how cutting-edge robotics can meet critical defense needs.

Setting the Stage for Innovation

The event was kicked off with welcome remarks from MassRobotics and MITRE, known for their deep connections to technological innovation and defense. Russ Graves, MITRE Bridging Innovation Lead, shared the many ways they are building pathways to discover, accelerate and deliver innovation from nontraditional sources to the DoD. He also shared several examples of how they are engaging with MassRobotics through technical and program support as well as STEM activities. This set the stage for the discussions that followed, framing the event as an opportunity for startups to learn, engage, and position their technologies for defense applications.

Key DoD partners in Innovation

Mary Kate Bell (Regional Engagement Principal – Boston) from the National Security Innovation Network introduced their mission: Building networks of innovators to generate new solutions to national security problems. NSIN is a group within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) with headquarters in Arlington VA – and 37 regional positions across 26 states. They deliver their mission through 3 lines of effort: Network Building, Programs, and Transition. Mary Kate gave examples of challenges and programs.

John Griffen (Defense Engagement Lead, Autonomy Portfolio // Boston Office Lead) provided insights into DIU’s history and Mission: Strengthen our national security by accelerating the adoption of leading commercial technology throughout the military and growing the national security innovation base. He shared their 3 pillars showing how they accomplish this mission:

  • Synchronize warfighter needs with commercial capabilities
  • Catalyze a new unified innovation ecosystem
  • Forge new pathways to speed and scale

John also shared their on-ramp strategies for talent and commercial technology. After sharing their current portfolio and autonomy focus areas, he showed their Unique Project Lifestyle:

More information about DIU and open solicitations can be found at:

  • www.diu.mil 
  • Open solicitations: diu.mil/work-with-us/open-solicitations
  • Sign up for updates at: https://www.diu.mil/newsletter-sign-up

Representatives from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Army Research Laboratory, Autonomous Systems Branch, shared their vision to advance the science of autonomy, robotics and multi-agent teaming for air, ground and unique mobility and whole-body manipulation platforms.  Their mission is to develop context-dependent autonomy and robotics for effecting the world to support advanced multi-domain operations.  They shared a bit about their portfolio, from legged robots to soft sensors.  MassRobotics will work to host an ARL specific event in the future.

Key Perspectives and Insights

In addition to defense leaders, the event also featured J2 Ventures, a notable firm in defense tech investments. Matt Goldman, General Partner, offered a unique investor perspective, highlighting the importance of scalable solutions that can address both commercial and defense applications. Startups were encouraged to think about how they could prove their value not only to defense organizations but also to investors looking for dual-use technologies. Rounding out the talks was a candid discussion on doing business with the DoD. In this startup-focused session, Fransisco Aguilar from Bounce Imaging and Joel Pedlikin from GreenSight shared their insights and experience working with DoD, offering practical advice on navigating procurement processes and demonstrating value to defense stakeholders.

Robotics & Technology Startup Pitches

The final segment of the event was the series of robotics and technology startup pitches. Startups showcased how their technologies could support the mission of the Department of Defense. From autonomous drones to AI-powered decision-making systems, these companies presented non-traditional solutions to real-world defense challenges. The following companies shared their technology:

Among the standout presentations were robotics systems already being deployed in defense scenarios. These real-world applications underscored the importance of innovative thinking in addressing national security needs. The variety of pitches demonstrated the depth of talent within the startup ecosystem, from small teams developing niche solutions to more established companies looking to scale.


Networking and Collaboration

After the formal presentations, the event transitioned into a networking and demonstration session, where participants had a chance to connect with defense representatives, investors, and MITRE experts. This provided startups with a critical opportunity to dive deeper into conversations about their technology and its potential use cases within the DoD. The social aspect of the event allowed for meaningful collaborations, with startups getting direct feedback on how to align their solutions with defense priorities.

Looking Ahead

The Robotics in Defense event showcased not only the immense potential of robotics in national security but also the increasing willingness of defense organizations to partner with non-traditional players. Startups, investors, and defense representatives all left the event with a clearer understanding of how they could work together to address key challenges facing the DoD.