Dual-Use Symposium
— 4th ANNUAL
DUAL-USE
SYMPOSIUM
BOSTON, MA • NOVEMBER 5, 2026
One full day at the intersection of defense and commercial innovation. Connecting founders,
government partners, primes, and ecosystem builders across the dual-use landscape.
— 4th ANNUAL
DUAL-USE
SYMPOSIUM
BOSTON, MA • NOVEMBER 5, 2026
One full day at the intersection of defense and commercial innovation. Connecting founders, government partners, primes, and ecosystem builders across the dual-use landscape.
OVERVIEW —
WHERE THE DUAL-USE ECOSYSTEM COMES TOGETHER
The Dual-Use Symposium is one of the most efficient and high-impact networking events in the defense-commercial innovation space — designed by MassChallenge to maximize meaningful connection in a single day.
FOR FOUNDERS
Get direct access to government program managers and defense primes actively looking for emerging technology solutions. Pitch your company, attend office hours, and build the relationships that open doors.
FOR GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY
Scout the most promising startups in defense-adjacent technology across counter-UAS, Bluetech, energy resilience, and bio defense. Engage with operators and ecosystem builders who are shaping the field.
FOR ECOSYSTEM BUILDERS
Expand your network across the dual-use landscape. The Offer & Ask session creates open space for the room to share resources, make connections, and surface collaboration opportunities.
WHAT TO EXPECT —
A DAY BUILT FOR ACTION
Six session formats, one cohesive day. The Symposium moves fast and keeps you connected from first keynote to final office hour.
01
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
An opening that sets the strategic context for defense-commercial innovation and the dual-use opportunity landscape.
02
FLASH TALKS
Rapid-fire insights from government and industry leaders. High signal, low noise — the fastest way to get current across the ecosystem.
03
STARTUP PITCHES
Lightning pitches from top dual-use accelerator cohorts. See the most compelling companies in the space in a single session.
04
NETWORKING LUNCH
A hosted lunch to deepen morning connections. Dedicated time away from the program to have the conversations that matter.
05
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Small-group deep dives across four technology domains. Go deep on the areas most relevant to your work and priorities.
06
OFFICE HOURS
Coordinated 1:1 and small-group sessions with DoD, primes, legal, and financial partners. Direct access, no middlemen.
AGENDA —
FULL DAY PROGRAM
A structured day that moves with purpose from keynote to office hours.
MORNING
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
An opening address setting the strategic context for defense-commercial innovation in 2026 and the critical importance of the dual-use ecosystem.
INDUSTRY FLASH TALKS
Rapid-fire talks from key stakeholders across the defense and innovation ecosystem. Representation from BAE Systems, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and more.
STARTUP LIGHTNING PITCHES
Live pitches from cohort members across leading dual-use accelerator programs. See breakthrough companies in action.
GOVERNMENT FLASH TALKS
Rapid-fire talks from key stakeholders across the defense and innovation ecosystem. Representation from Hanscom Air Force Base, Army Applications Lab, NAVSEA, USSOCOM, DARPA, and more.
MIDDAY
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
OFFER AND ASK
An open mic for attendees to take 20 seconds to make an offer or ask for support from anyone in the room.
NETWORKING LUNCH
A hosted lunch to deepen connections made during the morning sessions. Sit with new people, follow up on conversations, and meet the broad cross-section of leaders in the room.
AFTERNOON
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
BREAKOUT DISCUSSIONS
Focused small-group sessions across four technology domains. Choose the track most relevant to your work and go deep.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Join author and innovation expert Dan Ward for a conversation about his book, LIFT, and the lessons that almost-successful flying machines and their creators offer today’s innovators.
OFFICE HOURS
Coordinated 1:1 and small-group sessions with government, defense, legal, and financial partners. A rare opportunity for direct, unhurried access to decision-makers.
EVENING
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
NETWORKING HAPPY HOUR
PRIVATE DINNERS (INVITE ONLY)
SPONSORS —
PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Dual-Use Symposium is made possible by a coalition of organizations committed to advancing defense-commercial collaboration.
FEATURED SPEAKERS —
VOICES ACROSS THE ECOSYSTEM
Speaker lineup to be announced. Representative roles shown below. Follow MassChallenge for updates.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
TBA
Defense & Innovation Leadership
ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON
FEATURED SPEAKER
Teresa Clement, PhD
Sr Engineering Manager of University & Small Business Outreach, Raytheon
FEATURED SPEAKER
Kristen Craft
Head of Partnerships, Fidelity Private Shares
FEATURED SPEAKER
Timothy Grayson
Vice President General Manager, FAST Labs at BAE Systems
FEATURED SPEAKER
Laura Bukkosy Hooks, Ph.D.
Vice President/General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems General Dynamics Mission Systems
FEATURED SPEAKER
Russell Long
Long Capture, Founder & CEO
FEATURED SPEAKER
Jeff Mitchell
Space Force Association Northeast Region Deputy Vice President
FEATURED SPEAKER
Wilson Rickerson
President and Co-Founder, Converge Strategies
FEATURED SPEAKER
Jennifer Thabet, J.D., PMP
Program Director, Small Business Programs Office at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
FEATURED SPEAKER
Dan Ward
Author, Engineer, Co-Founder of the Sparklit Group
FEATURED SPEAKER
Cait Brumme
CEO, MassChallenge
