The Dual-Use Founder: Vets Now Building For America

This episode explores the experiences and perspectives of three veteran founders—Grant Jordan (SkySafe), David Tuttle (Rune), and John Doyle (Cape)—who transitioned from military service to building technology companies in the defense sector. Against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on military technology, the discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities of this transition. More significantly, the panelists discuss whether prior experience in large private sector companies like Palantir or Anduril is necessary for success, with varying opinions on the optimal path from military to entrepreneurship. For instance, John Doyle highlights the valuable lessons learned at Palantir, while David Tuttle emphasizes the importance of building a specific skillset before founding a company. The conversation then pivots to the cultural differences and similarities between military service and the startup world, focusing on fostering innovation, risk-taking, and a mission-driven ethos. Finally, the panelists address the need for faster prototyping and iteration cycles in defense technology, advocating for a more competitive and agile approach to onboarding and off-boarding programs, and emphasizing the importance of dual-use technologies and data sharing across sectors. This highlights emerging industry patterns reflecting a shift towards asymmetric capabilities and the need for adaptable, low-cost systems in modern warfare.