National Security Founders Fireside Chat

Moderator – Christon Hill
Christon Hill is the Program Manager for Georgetown Tech Ventures, where he supports technology commercialization and startup growth across the DMV region. He is a U.S. military veteran and graduate of Georgetown’s Biotechnology Master’s program.

Brian O’Connor (EMBA ’25)
Brian O’Connor is the founder and CEO of Darksaber Labs, a defense-tech startup developing edge-based AI systems for mission-critical environments. Before founding Darksaber, Brian served 12 years as an electronic warfare operator with the SEAL Teams and has since held multiple leadership roles advancing defense modernization technologies.

Emma Bates
Emma Bates is the founder and CEO of Cachai, a collaborative-autonomy startup accelerating drone swarming technology. With seven years of experience at CSIS, Data Vortex Technologies, the Defense Innovation Unit, and Army Futures Command, she brings deep expertise in bridging policy, innovation, and emerging technology.

Maksym Tereshchenko
Maksym Tereshchenko is the founder and CEO of Mantis Analytics, a company building advanced software for operational intelligence and data-driven decision-making. Drawing on more than a decade of experience leading software development and early-stage ventures, Maksym connects engineering precision with entrepreneurial vision, now rooted in the growing DC tech community.

Getting to the Venue:

From Southwest Garage: Exit Southwest Garage and walk up the hill to the left of the football field. The Hariri Building is at the far end of the field. Turn right and walk in the main door to Hariri.

From Main Gates: Follow the diagonal sidewalk across the Front Lawn. Walk through Red Square, an open brick plaza, and up a short flight of stairs. Continue to walk straight ahead, passing Reiss Science Building, and proceed up the stairs to the Leavey Center on the left. From the doors of the Leavey Center, walk to the left, past the Uncommon Grounds coffee shop, and through Sellinger Lounge. Turn right and enter the double doors. Near the end of the hall, walk through the door located to the left and across the patio into the 2nd floor of the Hariri Building.

Fisher Colloquium is located in the center of the building on the 4th floor.

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