Stanford Seminar - Silicon Valley & The U.S. Government: Saronic Technologies’ Dino Mavrookas

Saronic's founding story and vision for naval defense are explored, highlighting the company's focus on autonomous surface vessels and its rapid growth. Dino Mavrookas, Saronic's co-founder, details the initial problem identification, the importance of early relationships with the Navy, and the company's lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, even before having a finished product. A key element of Saronic's strategy involves building scalable manufacturing processes and integrating AI to enhance the capabilities of existing naval assets. The discussion also covers the need for greater investment in the U.S. industrial base and the potential for new defense companies to disrupt traditional hardware-focused approaches. Mavrookas emphasizes the importance of adapting to the evolving landscape of global competition and the need for innovative solutions to maintain naval superiority.