Defense Innovation 3.0 -- South Florida has speed and scale
International Speed, Talent Scale, and Geopolitical Power
While much has been written on the innovation valley of death across the US government, or the inability to access detailed problem sets in classified environments, or the bloated defense budgets and bureaucracy, little has been written on product-market fit which is key for speed and scale. Maybe DIU 3.0 aims to address this. Technology companies have been doing this for decades. The free market allows this to flourish. If there is no fit, there is no revenue. No revenue, no lights!
Unlocking new technologies and embracing great minds takes a different perspective. The defense industry’s economic impact to the southeast region of Florida is strong, but still low as an overall percentage (3.6%). Considering it’s the most populous and diverse, there is untapped talent and economic growth. A perfect place for a defense innovation hub of the future.
Scale is the reason South Florida is key for the Defense Innovation 3.0. With ~6.2M people across three counties, 10+ universities and colleges, three global commands and access to the world, South Florida is the future super hub.
As Mr. Gretsky says…… ”skate where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
International Scale — Latam + Europe
A unified eco-system of the future with international partners and allies
South Florida is global with 160 international cities (MIA + FLL) connected direct. For perspective, this is 90 more than ATL(Atlanta) and 150 more than RDU(Raleigh-Durham)! Connectivity to innovation is key to accelerating mutually beneficial relationships.
By leveraging defense agreements and their associated innovation and technology transfer agreements, we can scale at speed. NATO Diana, AUKUS, INDUS-X provide functional frameworks and programs which can and should be leveraged.
The RIO Treaty (TIAR) could be resurfaced and modernized to include innovation programs. A more robust agreement and alignment would help scale the technology, infrastructure and talent across South America, Carribean and Central America.
Talent Scale — Access to the best talent
South Florida is home to over 12 universities and colleges. Each representing unique opportunities and disciplines. With over ~170,000 undergraduate students, there are enormous talent pools. Programs are already in place for intelligence, international relations, and national security related fields. Connecting these individuals to defense and dual use innovation will help accelerate the mission of strengthening the homeland and supporting allied nations.
Florida has the third largest Veteran population in the nation. Activating these patriots to bridge the private-public intersection can unlock knowledge, passion, loyalty and a sense of purpose. It’s always good to have firsthand knowledge when building solutions.
Geographical Scale — Commercial Connecting
Air, Sea and Space, Florida has it all in spades. South Florida has the largest number of defense employees in the state. With the recent activation of Homestead AFB as a space port, the employment and innovation will only continue. The space coast has expanded and so will the private interest in creating and connecting new technology.
Florida boosts 3 global commands. Getting closer to the warfighter starts with synchronizing the needs on the ground (threat informed). Just like products and services in the private sector need to localize, so does the public sector. Southern Command is one of the keys to activating innovation within the 30+ countries it supports. Adding defense innovation resources within the commands is a good step forward. Bringing technical solutions to the table is next. We have to eat dinner at the table in order to win.
Measure Success
Businesspeople reading this will smile. Most international private companies have been wrestling with localization and market fit challenges all of their existence. The public sectors need to catch-up. Leverage the knowledge of the businesses to solve your problems…..go where the puck will be!
Success will be measured by the outcomes. It will not be measured by the number of programs and resources (you can argue we have too many now!). Technology works, or it doesn’t. We solve the problem, or we don’t. We increase the speed and scale solutions, or we don’t. It starts and ends with the individuals. When you see rockets landing on lily pads and spaceships harvesting moon rocks, you will know.
God Bless America!
Tyler
