DefTechPod

DefTechLink.com
  • 4.5 (2)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED DAILY

DefTechLink podcasts are practical conversations about how defence markets actually work, starting with the United States and extending to the UK and allied systems. We speak with practitioners, operators, founders, and programme insiders about funding, experimentation, procurement, and why transitions stall or succeed. The focus is lived experience, not hype: what decisions matter, where risk sits, and how defence pathways behave in practice.

Episodes

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    From Norway to Washington: Chloe Friberg on NADIC, Defence Industry Support, and U.S. Access

    In this episode of DefTechPod, Erica Dill-Russell speaks with Chloe Friberg, President of the Norwegian American Defense and Homeland Security Industry Council, about what serious market entry support actually looks like when a country is trying to help its defence companies succeed in the United States. They discuss how NADIC became a practical bridge between Norwegian industry and the U.S. defence ecosystem, why the wider Team Norway model works, and what other countries can learn from it. The conversation gets beyond the usual language of international collaboration and into the mechanics that matter: trusted networks, embassy support, trade associations, service providers, conferences, pavilions, and the steady work of helping companies show up in the right rooms with the right message. Chloe explains how NADIC grew from an industry-led need into a mature support structure, backed by close coordination across government, industry, and research organisations. They also speak candidly about the harder side of entering the U.S. market. Presence matters. Repetition matters. Budget matters. This episode is a useful listen for companies that assume one visit, one conference, or one good meeting is enough. Erica and Chloe discuss why it usually is not, why relationships still need to be built in person, and why some of the most valuable opportunities happen in the gaps between formal meetings. If you are a defence or dual-use company thinking about the U.S. market, or trying to understand what a well-supported national ecosystem can look like in practice, this is a very grounded discussion.

    37 min

  2. 25 MAR

    Breaking into U.S. Defence: Colonel Naff on FCT, Access, and What Actually Works

    For many international defence companies, entering the U.S. Department of War can feel slow, opaque, and highly competitive. This episode challenges that assumption. Erica Dill-Russell is joined by Colonel Jeffrey Naff, Director of the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program, to unpack one of the most underused and misunderstood pathways into U.S. defence acquisition. FCT exists for a specific purpose: to identify, validate, and transition non-U.S. technologies into U.S. military use. It is not a traditional competition route, and it does not behave like most acquisition programmes. Instead, it acts as a bridge between international innovation and U.S. service demand. In this conversation, Colonel Naff explains how FCT actually works in practice, where companies go wrong, and what makes the difference between being noticed and being ignored. Key themes covered: What FCT is and why it exists within U.S. defence acquisitionWhy submitting your technology is not the same as applying for fundingThe role of “socialisation” and why relationships still matterHow FCT enables direct, sole-source acquisition for international technologiesWhat “verification and validation” really means and why speed mattersCommon misconceptions that prevent companies from progressingWhy persistence, not process-following, is often the deciding factorOne of the most important insights from this episode is simple: FCT does not replace other routes into the U.S. market. It sits alongside them. The companies that succeed are the ones that pursue multiple paths at once and keep pushing until they create traction. As Colonel Naff puts it, there is no single entry point, and no single right way in. But there is a consistent pattern among those who make it through. They do not stop. About the guest:Colonel Jeffrey Naff is the Director of the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program within the Office of the Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. He leads efforts to identify and transition international technologies into U.S. military capability, working across all services and acquisition bodies.

    35 min

  3. 18 MAR

    Building What Matters: Leadership, Resilience and Dual-Use Innovation

    In this episode of DefTechPod, we speak with Andre Turville, a seasoned CEO and entrepreneur whose career spans cybersecurity, energy, clean technology and defence across Europe and Asia. Andre shares a grounded view of what it actually takes to build and scale companies in complex, high-stakes sectors. From early exposure to engineering and entrepreneurship through to leading ventures at the intersection of innovation and resilience, this conversation explores the realities behind leadership, capital, and execution. We discuss the challenges of navigating regulated environments, the role of dual-use technologies, and why building something meaningful in defence and security requires both patience and clarity of purpose. Andre also reflects on sustainability, resilience, and how commercial and defence priorities increasingly overlap. This is a practical conversation for founders, operators and anyone trying to understand how innovation moves from idea to impact in defence and adjacent sectors. Explore more insights, opportunities and pathways into defence innovation at DefTechLink: https://www.deftechlink.com

    35 min

  4. 12 MAR

    Inside UK Defence Innovation: Dan Sawyers on jHub, Urgency and Adapting at Pace

    In this episode of DefTechPod, Erica Dill-Russell speaks with Dan Sawyers, Head of jHub in the UK. Dan discusses why innovation has become such an urgent priority for defence and how the pace of technological change is forcing institutions to rethink how they identify, adapt and adopt new capabilities. The conversation explores the role of jHub within the UK defence innovation landscape, the pressures created by emerging technologies such as AI, and why the ability to adapt quickly has always been a source of strategic advantage. Dan also reflects on how defence organisations approach innovation in practice and where companies and technologists can realistically engage with the system. • The purpose and role of jHub in UK defence • Why innovation is becoming more urgent in defence institutions • How emerging technologies are reshaping defence priorities • The challenge of adapting and adopting technology at pace • Where industry and innovators intersect with defence innovation structures Dan Sawyers — Head of jHub Erica Dill-Russell Episode DescriptionTopics discussedGuestsHost

    34 min

  5. 5 MAR

    Battlefield Reality: What Ukraine Is Teaching Defence Innovators

    Justin Hedges | Executive Chairman & Co-Founder, Prevail Partners Justin Hedges, former Royal Marines officer and Executive Chairman of Prevail Partners, joins DefTechPod to discuss what modern conflict is teaching the defence technology community. Drawing on Prevail’s operational work in Ukraine, Justin explains why laboratory success rarely translates directly to battlefield relevance. He describes how the rapidly evolving electromagnetic environment on the front lines forces companies to iterate technology in weeks rather than years, and why systems that cannot adapt quickly become obsolete. The conversation explores what defence innovators often misunderstand about deploying new systems. Justin outlines the importance of modular design, frontline testing, and maintaining engineering teams close to operational units so technology can evolve at the pace of conflict. He also discusses how companies get technology trialled in Ukraine and the role of partnerships in moving equipment from development into real operational environments. Justin also highlights several lessons emerging from the war, including the tactical impact of low-cost FPV drones, the challenge of defeating Shahed-type attack drones, the growing role of AI-enabled loitering munitions, and the increasing use of unmanned ground vehicles for logistics and battlefield support. The episode concludes with reflections on leadership after military service, the realities of building a defence company from scratch, and advice for operators transitioning into the defence and security sector.

    29 min

  6. 26 FEB

    From Interest to Contract: Toby McCrindle on IP Protection, Primes and Knowing Your Value

    In this episode of DefTechPod, Erica Dill-Russell speaks with Toby McCrindle, Partner and Head of Defence & Deep Tech at Mishcon de Reya, about what really happens between early enthusiasm and an actual defence contract. Toby has worked across major aerospace and defence programmes, inside primes, within venture-backed start-ups, and now advises dual-use and defence tech companies navigating procurement, partnerships and funding. He brings a rare perspective from both sides of the table. The conversation explores: • Why interest from a senior officer or prime does not equal a contract• How start-ups should position themselves when engaging large primes• The most common IP mistakes founders make under time pressure• Why desperation to get on contract can quietly destroy long-term value• How to negotiate from confidence rather than supplication• What is changing in UK defence procurement for SMEs• When companies should involve legal support and when it is already too late A recurring theme is simple but critical: know the value of what you have and protect it. Whether negotiating development work, joining a consortium, raising venture capital or signing a supply agreement, founders must understand what rights they are giving away and why. The episode also addresses the structural gap many companies fall into. Positive conversations create momentum, but procurement requires sponsorship, budget alignment and formal pathways. Understanding that distinction changes how companies plan, fundraise and engage. This is a grounded, practical discussion for defence founders, dual-use companies, SME leaders and anyone navigating primes, MOD contracts or venture rounds in the sector. New episodes of DefTechPod drop every Thursday. If you work in defence or dual-use and have experience worth sharing, we welcome the conversation.

    33 min

  7. 19 FEB

    From Battlefield to Accelerator: Marcus Roberts on NATO DIANA, IoT Tribe and Creating a Seat at the Table

    In this episode of DefTechPod, we speak with Marcus Roberts - former British Army officer and now a key figure within Janus Allies and IoT Tribe - about what it really takes for dual-use technology to enter defence markets. Marcus shares how his operational experience in Afghanistan shaped the way he judges new technology, why innovation cycles are accelerating dramatically, and what founders often misunderstand about defence timing and realism. We explore: How NATO DIANA and UKDI accelerators actually work in practiceWhat Janus Allies delivers on behalf of the UK MoDHow IoT Tribe evolved from deep-tech accelerator to ecosystem builderWhy going through an accelerator is not the same as getting a “seat at the table”What an ecosystem activation agreement is and why it mattersThe role of primes in shaping real routes to marketWhy patience and timing are critical for dual-use foundersHow veterans act as “critical friends” to pressure-test innovationWhy failure in defence innovation is normal and necessary Marcus also discusses the difference between exciting technology and operationally safe technology, and why lived military experience changes how risk is interpreted. This conversation is essential listening for dual-use founders considering defence, innovators looking at NATO DIANA, and anyone trying to understand how ecosystems, primes, and accelerators actually fit together. Defence innovation is not just about great technology. It is about timing, sponsorship, realism, and building the right relationships around your capability. New episodes drop every Thursday.

    33 min

  8. 15 FEB

    Inside US Acquisition: PEOs, Pathways, and What Companies Misunderstand

    In this episode of the DefTechLink podcast, Tasha Josefsson is joined by David Rolen for a grounded discussion on how defence procurement actually works in practice. They unpack the role of Program Executive Offices (PEOs), how requirements move from interest to structure, and why procurement timelines, incentives, and decision authority are so often misunderstood by SMEs and non-traditional suppliers. The conversation covers where engagement helps, where it quietly stalls, and how companies misread signals from programmes and buyers. This episode is for anyone trying to make sense of defence acquisition beyond slide decks and acronyms.

    22 min

  9. 15 FEB

    Building Dual-Use Technology That Actually Transitions: The Eelume Journey

    In this episode, Tasha Josefsson speaks with Thomas Nygaard about the story behind Eelume, Norway’s approach to dual-use technology, and what meaningful collaboration actually looks like in practice. The conversation explores how Eelume bridges commercial and defence requirements, why subsea and maritime autonomy demand long-term trust rather than quick wins, and how Norwegian industry, academia, and government interact differently from larger defence markets. Thomas also reflects on partnerships, working across borders, and the realities of scaling advanced robotics into sensitive operational environments. Rather than focusing on hype or market optimism, this episode looks at the structural conditions that make dual-use technology succeed or stall, and what other SMEs can realistically learn from Norway’s ecosystem. A thoughtful discussion for anyone working in maritime, autonomy, dual-use technology, or trying to understand how smaller defence nations build credible, exportable capability without losing control of their technology.

    23 min

  10. 15 FEB

    Designing a Defence Ecosystem: The Story Behind DefTechLink

    In this episode of the DefTechLink podcast, Tasha Josefsson sits down with Erica Dill‑Russell to talk through how DefTechLink came into being and, more importantly, why. Erica shares the gap she kept seeing from both sides of the table. Capable companies with strong technology repeatedly misreading defence pathways, burning time and money, and mistaking interest for progress. Rather than building another listings platform, the conversation explores why DefTechLink was designed as a navigation layer. One focused on context, eligibility, sequencing, and helping organisations understand what defence signals actually mean. This episode is a candid look at the thinking behind the platform, the frustrations that shaped it, and the principles it is built around. It is especially relevant for SMEs, founders, and operators trying to decide whether defence is a market they should enter, and what it realistically takes if they do.

    17 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

DefTechLink podcasts are practical conversations about how defence markets actually work, starting with the United States and extending to the UK and allied systems. We speak with practitioners, operators, founders, and programme insiders about funding, experimentation, procurement, and why transitions stall or succeed. The focus is lived experience, not hype: what decisions matter, where risk sits, and how defence pathways behave in practice.

Information

  • Creator
    DefTechLink.com
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © DefTechLink.com
  • Show Website
    DefTechPod

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