Wednesday, January 28
(Main Program)
8:30–9:00 AM
Registration and Light Breakfast
9:00 – 9:20 AM
Welcome and Framing the Day
This opening session sets the tone for the forum, framing it as an international, interactive working conversation. Speakers will outline how capital, government demand, and innovation across AI, energy, mobility, and defense are converging, and why cross-sector collaboration is critical now. The interactive format and goals for the day will also be introduced.
9:20 – 10:05 AM
Myth Busters: Procurement Reality Check
This panel cuts through common misconceptions about government and defense procurement for AI, energy, mobility, and dual-use technologies. Drawing on perspectives from government, primes, and corporate venture, speakers will focus on how procurement decisions are made, realistic timelines, and where venture-backed companies can successfully engage. Live polling will keep the discussion practical and grounded.
Speakers:
Bill Collier, Principal at Noblis Ventures
Hyder Alabed, Vice President of M&A and Ventures at CIRI
10:05 – 10:35 AM
Interactive Break Session 1 — Roundtable Mixing
The roundtable sessions are ambassador-hosted networking opportunities.
Each table is hosted by a Council member or invited guest (e.g., a regional embassy) serving as an ambassador for a region, sector, or shared challenge. Attendees may choose to join a table aligned with their interests or use the time for open networking.
• Informal, peer-level conversations
• Opportunities to meet like-minded participants
• Light facilitation to support introductions
There is no formal agenda or required discussion; the goal is simply to create space for meaningful connections.
10:35 – 11:15 AM
Response Lab: Rapid Solutions
This highly interactive session will move quickly from challenge to solution. Founders and investors will bring real obstacles to the surface that are related to scaling AI, energy, mobility, and defense technologies. The audience will contribute ideas through live polling. Facilitators synthesize input in real time, highlighting practical pathways and next steps.
Speakers:
Ben Wright, Vice President at 3M Ventures
Alison Perez, Senior Investor at Lockheed Martin Ventures
Raymond Zheng, Sr. Managing Director at Honda Xcelerator Ventures (Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation)
11:15 – 11:50 AM
Lightning Debates
Fast-paced debates will surface key tensions shaping investment and scale across defense and dual-use innovation. Panelists will debate issues such as global scale versus national priorities, export controls, AI governance, and energy resilience, with live audience voting revealing where perspectives align—or diverge.
Speakers:
Tarik Galijasevic, Managing Director at Allstate Strategic Ventures
Kemal Anbarci, Managing Venture Executive at Chevron Technology Ventures
John Richmond, Investment Manager at Lockheed Martin Ventures
11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Networking Lunch
12:50 – 1:20 PM
Portfolio Showcase 1 — Lightning Round
Hosted by: CVC Lead (TBD)
Companies: 3 Portfolios (TBD)
1:20 – 1:50 PM
What Would You Do? — Scenario Simulation
Portfolio companies working across AI, energy, mobility, and defense will deliver brief lightning showcases, each followed by a short Q&A. This session will provide a fast, high signal look at emerging technologies and partnership opportunities.
1:50 – 2:20 PM
Portfolio Showcase 2 — Lightning Round
Hosted by: CVC Leads who nominated each portfolio company
Companies: Portfolios (TBD)
2:20 – 2:40 PM
Interactive Break Session 2 — Roundtable Mixing
2:40 – 3:10 PM
Portfolio Showcase 3 — Lightning Round
Hosted by: CVC Leads who nominated each portfolio company
Companies: 4 Portfolios (TBD)
3:10 – 3:40 PM
Fireside Anchor Conversation
This closing fireside chat will explore economic diplomacy, global innovation, and the role of strategic capital in national and allied security. Speakers will reflect on how AI, energy systems, mobility infrastructure, and defense innovation intersect with long-term geopolitical and economic objectives.
Speakers:
Barry Leffew, Vice President, Government Platform Accelerator at IN-Q-TEL
Chad Bown, Managing Director at bp Ventures
3:40 – 4:30 PM
End of Agenda, Cocktails, & Informal Networking