Silicon Valley is moving deeper into national security, as venture capital, startups, AI, autonomous systems, and dual use technologies increasingly shape the future of defense.

In this live studio recording of Silicon Valley Unplugged, Sparknify host John Huang sits down with Heather Jo Richman, founder of the U.S. Defense Investor Network and co chair of the AUKUS Defense Investor Network, to explore how private capital and emerging technology are changing the defense landscape.

They will discuss how Silicon Valley investors and startups are entering defense, why private capital has become increasingly important to national security innovation, what makes defense technology fundamentally different from traditional venture investing, and how technologies such as AI, autonomy, cyber, quantum, and advanced systems are reshaping the battlefield.

The conversation will also explore AUKUS, the growing international market for dual use technology, and whether Silicon Valley can move fast enough to meet a very different kind of global technology race.

Recording: September 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM | San Jose

Heather Richman is a corporate development and strategy expert working at the intersection of national security, technology, and investment. Her career spans Capitol Hill, academia, venture innovation, and the defense technology ecosystem. From 1999 to 2004, Richman worked for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, overseeing appropriations, budget, and tax matters. She contributed to the post 9/11 redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and the funding framework for the Department of Homeland Security. She later managed government relations for Stanford University and led outreach for the Precourt Institute for Energy. Richman was also a founding team member of Elemental Excelerator, originally funded by the Office of Naval Research, helping build a platform that supported nearly 100 companies and attracted billions in private capital. Today, she serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at BMNT Partners, where she helps connect entrepreneurs, investors, and national security leaders to accelerate dual use technologies for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. In 2019, she also launched the Defense Investor Network to strengthen domestic investment pathways for strategically important technologies.

Note: Due to limited studio space availability and event logistics, this is a Sparknify member-only event. Upon completing registration, you will be placed into the waitlist until your membership status is verified. If you are not yet a member, please be sure to apply for Sparknify membership in order to gain access to this event.