The Agenda
Born from the frustration of being excluded from SXSW, Austin4America is a two-day gathering of pioneers shaping America’s future. The first day confronts the urgent need to include defense in innovation, while the second day broadens the focus to resilience, human performance, and lasting impact.
With no single entity driving its mission, Austin4America represents the essence of America—citizens rallying together to preserve and celebrate the ideas that make us better.
Oh, and just like our country, admission is free.
March 6 | Day #1: Fueling the Future
Day 1 of Austin4America opens with a clear message: leaving defense out of the conversation in a world that’s always shifting is a juvenile mistake. This forum isn’t about feel-good platitudes; it’s where real conversations happen, the ones that dig deep into hard truths and tough decisions. Key players, bold thinkers, and change-makers come together to challenge norms, forge practical solutions, and confront what it truly takes to adapt and thrive in an unpredictable world.
Doors Open
8:30 CT
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Welcome!
Welcome
9 AM CT
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Host : Luke Fischer | Co-Founder & CEO @SkyFi
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MC & Co-Host : Kate van Dam | @ SkyFi
Keynote
9:10 AM CT
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Brigadier General Troy Denomy | Director of Integration @ Army Futures Command
Strategic Stakes: Funding America's Tech Frontier
9:35 AM CT
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Steve Bowsher | CEO & President @ In-Q-Tel
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Kirsten Bartok-Touw | MP @ New Vista Cap
Smart Money, Strong Nation:
The VC Path to American Primacy
10:10 AM CT
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Jeff Eggers | Founder & MP @ R2 Ventures
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Christine Keung | GP @ J2 Ventures
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Larry Covert | Co-Founder & GP @ OxCart Ventures
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Joe Voboril | MP @1789
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Mike Panos | VP Ops @ SkyFi
Coffee Break
10:45 AM CT
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SkyRoasters Coffee
Winning in the Defense Market: Beyond the Valley of Death
10:55 AM CT
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Jim Smith | Former Acquisition Executive @ SOCOM
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Andrew Bossart | Founder & MP @ Saratoga Group
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Mandy Geary | Head of Tech Innovation & Strategy @ ExistX
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Joseph Werther | CTO Cyber Dominance Mission Vertical @ Clarity Innovations
Zero Sum: Strategic Risk for Maximum Impact
11:25 AM CT
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Bill Perkins | Founder @ Skylar Capital, SkyFi, & SynMax | Author Die With Zero
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Kate van Dam | @ SkyFi
Chow & Conversation
11:50 AM CT
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Make a friend. Think deep thoughts. Share your ideas. Be challenged. Challenge. Scheme Big. Leave with a plan.
Micro Scale, Massive Impact:
Why Microelectronics Matter
12:55 PM CT
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Stephanie Lin | VP @ NSTXL, Microelectronics Commons
In the Den of the Primes
1:10 PM CT
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Naweed Tahmas | Founder & CEO @ Aeon
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Nikhil Goel | CCO @ Archer Aviation
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Skyler Shuford | Founder & President @ Hermeus
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Will Edwards | Co-Founder & CEO @ Firehawk
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Gabe | Co-Founder & President @ Umbra
Manufacturing as an Existential Imperative
1:50 PM CT
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Will Wilder | Founder @ Wilder Systems
Mo Money Mo Problems:
Finance's National Security Game
2 PM CT
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Robert Bench | Founder & CEO @ Radius
The Human Economics of Strong Cyber Posture
2:15 PM CT
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Evan Rosenfield | Ops @ Andesite
Make Friends & Drink Coffee
2:30 PM CT
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Brought to you by SkyRoasters
Fresh off the Battlefield, Yesterday:a Ukranian Testimony of Today's Fight
2:45 PM CT
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Vladyslav Plaksin | Owner & Manager @ Drone Fight Group & PG Robotics
Asymmetric Systems on the Battlefield
3:15 PM CT
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Joe Wolfel | CEO @ Terradepth
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Ian Villa | COO & CPO @ Whisper Aero
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Chad McCoy | Co-Founder & CSO @ Firestorm
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Rob Lehman | Co-Founder & CCO @ Saronic
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Duncan Miller | PM @ Applied Research Laboratories
Powering the Edge
3:50 PM CT
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Veronika Stelmakh | Founder & CEO @ Mesodyne
Drone Arms Race: Are We Faster than China?
4:00 PM CT
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Steve Simoni | Co-Founder & CEO @Allen Control Systems
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Jennifer Kaehms | Founder & GP @ Key & Critical Ventures
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Katheron Intson | Co-Founder & CEO @ Sentinel R&D
False Nets, Real Threats:
Space-Based Detection of China's Maritime Deception
4:20 PM CT
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Ray Powell | Director @ SeaLight,
Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation
Eyes Above: The Commercial Revolution in Space Intelligence
4:35 PM CT
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Ileisa Lambert | Head of Partnerships & Platforms @ SkyFi
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Dr. Ruby Patterson | Chief Scientist @ XMC Space
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Jen Ross | CEO of InterVallo, LLC & Executive Consultant to SSC Commercial Space Office
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Stephanie Salmon | BD @ Spire
No Sh!t There I Was...
& Here's Where We're Going
5:05 PM CT
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Clay Hutmatcher | Maj. Gen. (retd.), USA |
Founder & CEO @ Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Break Bread at BeerThirty
American Pantheon
6:00 PM CT
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Grab some chow
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Grab a beer (or beverage of choice)
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Walk around & check out next gen tech showcased by some amazing companies
Last Call
7:15 PM CT
No Mas
7:30 PM CT
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Sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms..
You Can't Stay Here
8:00 PM CT
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Freedom Isn't Free & Neither is Your Beer After Party location TBD
March 7 | Day #2: Foundational Fortitude
Day 2 emphasizes longevity and quality of life, focusing on how individuals can build unshakable foundations to maximize fulfillment and live with purpose. Through sessions on mental and physical resilience, financial independence, and human potential, attendees will explore practical solutions to achieve a life of meaningful impact.
Session Title
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SPEAKER & INFORMATION
Ruck with GoRuck
Muster: 7:00 AM
Step off: 7:30 AM
Yoga with Demati
9:00 AM
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Kick off Day 2 with a revitalizing blend of physical activity and wellness
Wellness Fair
8:30 AM CT
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Breakfast sammies & coffee
Welcome
10:30 AM CT
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Luke & Kate
What was Old is New: Treating Trauma with Plant Medicine
10:35 AM CT
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Dr. Greg Fonzo, PhD | Co-Director & Chairman @ Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy
How To Make Plant Medicine An Option
11:05 AM CT
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Justin LaPree | Founder of The Illuminating Co.
Rethinking PTSD: Warrior Withdrawal
11:35 AM CT
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Dr. Varpas de Sa Pereira, PsyD | Staff Psychologist @ US Department of Veterans Affairs | Author of Warrior Withdrawal: When BAMF No Longer Means Bad*$$ M^ther#u@!er
Coffee Break
11:50 AM CT
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Coffee brought to you by SkyRoasters
Innovative Approaches to Health and Wellness: From Fitness Foundations to Cutting-Edge Treatments
12:10 PM CT
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Jake Thiede | VP @ Ways2Well
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Claire Bays | Fitness Entrepreneur & Podcast Host
Bringing Health to Everyone: Enabling Agency in Individual Health
12:40 PM CT
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Jay Srinivasan | Co-Founder & CEO @ Truvian Health
Stretching Beyond the Physical:
Intersection of Tech and Quality of Life
1:00 PM CT
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Connor Glass | CEO @ Phantom Neuro
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Evan Wineland | Co-Founder & CEO @ Weave Robotics
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Tom Babb | Head of Marketing @ SkyFi
The New Era of Robotics
1:30 PM CT
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Ethan Blagg | Founder @ Nexus
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Chester Zelaya | Founder @ Droneforge
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Chad McCoy | Co-Founder @ Firestorm
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Kai Backman | Co-Founder @ Manifold
Closer
2:05 PM CT
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TBD