NEWS & EVENTS

The Department of Defense (DOD) and The Texas A&M University System co-sponsored Drone Venture Day, where U.S. manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) had the unique opportunity to meet with trusted capital providers to explore mutually beneficial business partnerships focused on national security concerns.

Drone Venture Day represented the inaugural event in a series of Trusted Capital opportunities to build an ecosystem where trusted capital providers and domestic companies can limit adversarial foreign access to technology and strengthen domestic manufacturing in the defense industrial base.

The senior DoD official, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, Ms. Jennifer Santos, attended and spoke about the importance of the Trusted Capital mission. “The Trusted Capital concept takes a more proactive approach toward protecting U.S. supply chains, domestic manufacturers, and American technology from foreign adversaries who want to undermine our national security.”

While Drone Venture Day focused on unmanned systems, other events will focus on additional key technology areas. These fora will assist in promoting and protecting the industrial base, especially fragile sectors as identified by the Executive Order 13806 report on Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency of the United States.

Attendees heard from senior officials from DoD and other United States Government agencies, and senior members of The Texas A&M University System. “We are pleased to partner with DoD in its inaugural Trusted Capital event, where critical companies and capital providers can come together to advance investment in key areas of national defense,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “We recently broke ground for the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex, demonstrating our firm commitment to a long-term partnership with DoD and a shared vision of ensuring the nation’s security and prosperity.”

For more information, please visit the Industrial Policy website: https://www.businessdefense.gov/