Listen "SOF 41: Strategic Vanguard: Bridging Innovation and Defense- A Conversation with William "Mac" McHenry"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of 'Securing Our Future', we explore how commercial and national security sectors collaborate to drive innovation. Host Jeremy sits down with William "Mac" McHenry, an experienced leader from the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community, to discuss the evolving landscape of technology acquisition and the crucial role of government partnerships. Learn about the journey from being a marine aviator to leading the Defense Innovation Unit, the cultural shifts in Silicon Valley, and strategies for tech startups to successfully navigate government contracts. 00:00 Introduction to Securing Our Future Podcast00:41 Guest Introduction: Mac's Background and Experience01:35 Changes in Government and Commercial Tech Collaboration02:32 Government's Role in Tech Development04:31 Navigating Government Partnerships for Tech Companies10:52 Overcoming the Valley of Death20:00 Mission Relevance and Government Restructuring25:48 Future of Government and Tech Collaboration32:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
More episodes of the podcast Securing Our Future
SOF 48: Navigating Innovation: HavocAI's 21-Month Journey in Maritime Autonomy with Paul Lwin
11/11/2025
SOF 47: Defending the Future: CrunchAtlas and the Evolution of Cybersecurity with Ben Faberlle
28/10/2025
SOF 46: Exploring DARPA's Past and Future: Insights from Defense Reporting with Sharon Weinberger
14/10/2025
SOF 44: Innovating Against AI Deception: A Conversation with Reality Defender CTO, Alex Lisle
16/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.