Unlocking Defense Innovation: Key Tech Funding Priorities Under the New Administration

With the Trump Administration's renewed emphasis on defense, American defense technology is entering a phase of significant reinvestment and acceleration. Prioritized areas include battlefield AI and machine learning integration, hypersonics, autonomous systems, quantum sensing and computing, directed-energy weapons, cybersecurity infrastructure, and defense industrial base modernization. Strategic programs across the DoD, DARPA, DIU, AFWERX, SOCOM, and OUSD(R&E) are growing in both scope and velocity. This webinar outlines the most immediate and strategic non-dilutive funding opportunities available across the U.S. Department of Defense and affiliated agencies and how to approach the agencies and opportunities for the next 36 months. 

This webinar delivers an actionable playbook for defense startups and dual-use companies aiming to secure non-dilutive funding from DARPA, DIU, AFWERX, MTEC, SOCOM, and more. Drawing from dozens of recent engagements and inside conversations with government program officials, we’ll outline the top funding tracks, strategic entry points, and transition pathways for real-world adoption. 

Whether your tech is AI-enabled ISR, quantum navigation, trauma response systems, or hypersonic propulsion, this session will equip you with the intelligence to compete and win. 

What We’ll Cover 

• How early stage companies are disrupting defense tech 

• Common pitfalls and strategic pathways to get from grant to deployment 

• The pathway to become a Program of Record 

• The top 5 defense funding focus areas in 2025–2028, and why they matter 

• The rise of MTEC, DIU, and xTech as key channels for dual-use innovation 

Sam Tetlow is Founder & CEO of Grant Engine. Grant Engine has a proven model of delivering funding to leading life science companies through the NIH SBIR program as well as DARPA, BARDA and other DoD sources. Sam has successful experience as an entrepreneur and investor in life sciences companies such as EpiCypher (named best University Startup of 2016 by U.S. Congress), ILS Genomics, Immunologix, Gentris Corporation, and Tranzyme Pharma (IPO April, 2011) among others.

As a leader within companies Sam has a functional focus on product development, sales, finance and corporate development. Sam continues to build on his venture capital experience by investing into compelling companies as an Angel. Sam seeks results and has a proven track record.   Sam has generated a 5.8x return on invested capital, with 76% cash realization in his last 14 years of investing.

Sam holds a MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School (Beta Gamma Sigma, 2003) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Honors, 1993). He has been on Mt. Everest, is a former competitive triathlete, and an avid proponent of doing good while doing well.

Madhav Sankunny is the Vice President of Program Management at Grant Engine. He earned his PhD in Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh following which moved to The Cleveland Clinic for his post-doctoral training.

He switched career tracks and worked in technology development at the Office of Strategic Alliance and Technology Development at The Cleveland Clinic. He supported the spin out of three companies surrounding Cleveland Clinic technology and got them funded through the SBIR/STTR mechanism.

In his role as VP of Program Management, he handles both technical and administrative duties including managing the delivery team in assisting clients pursue non-dilutive funds, providing strategic insights to potential clients on their best opportunity for non-dilutive funding and providing training on various aspects of non-dilutive funding.