TiE Tampa|Defense & Capital|Building Future of National Security Innovation

Where innovation meets mission. Where founders meet opportunity. Where Tampa Bay helps shape the future of defense innovation.
About this Event
Defense & Capital
Where innovation meets mission. Where founders meet opportunity. Where Tampa Bay helps shape the future of defense innovation.

From advanced manufacturing and AI to cybersecurity, autonomy, logistics, and resilient infrastructure, the next generation of defense innovation is being built through collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, operators, and government partners.

Tampa Bay sits at the center of this transformation.

As one of the nation's emerging hubs for defense innovation, dual-use technology, and national security entrepreneurship, the region is attracting founders, investors, corporate partners, and innovation organizations focused on solving complex challenges at the intersection of commercial markets and mission-critical applications. Through organizations such as SOFWERX and a growing network of innovation partners, investors, and technology leaders, Tampa Bay is helping accelerate the path from breakthrough ideas to real-world impact.

This TiE Tampa Bay gathering brings together founders, investors, defense leaders, operators, and ecosystem builders to explore where capital, innovation, and national security intersect.

Why Tampa Bay?

• SOFWERX — a nationally recognized innovation platform connecting non-traditional innovators with defense challenges
• Growing presence of dual-use venture funds, defense-focused investors, and national security capital networks
• Rapidly expanding sectors in AI, cybersecurity, autonomy, maritime technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and resilient infrastructure
• Access to innovation partners, test environments, universities, and commercialization pathways
• Strategic geographic location connecting military, industry, research, and entrepreneurial communities
• A collaborative ecosystem built around entrepreneurship, innovation, and scalable growth

Why Now?

Global instability, supply-chain shifts, cybersecurity threats, and the rapid acceleration of AI have fundamentally changed the defense and investment landscape. Capital is increasingly flowing toward technologies capable of serving both commercial and national security markets.

Founders today have unprecedented opportunities to build companies that are both high-growth and mission-critical. Investors are actively seeking scalable technologies with defense applications. Government organizations and industry partners are engaging earlier with startups than ever before.

Florida and Tampa Bay are uniquely positioned to play a leading role in this next era of innovation.

What to Expect

• Conversations with defense innovation leaders, investors, founders, and operators
• Insights into navigating dual-use and defense markets
• Discussion around capital formation, procurement pathways, and emerging opportunities
• Networking with entrepreneurs, technologists, family offices, and strategic partners
• Exploration of how Florida is becoming a national hub for defense innovation and venture growth

Who Should Attend

• Founders and startups
• Investors and family offices
• Defense and dual-use technology companies
• Cybersecurity, AI, autonomy, aerospace, maritime, and advanced manufacturing leaders
• Students and emerging innovators
• Corporate innovation and strategic partnership teams
• Anyone interested in the future of innovation, resilience, and national security

TiE Tampa Bay | Defense & Capital

Innovate. Invest. Impact.
Connecting the people, capital, and ideas shaping the future of defense innovation.