1st Mondays Networking & Startup Event: Defense & Dual-Use Edition: Full Recap, Panel Discussion & Photos

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1st Mondays Networking & Startup Event: Defense & Dual-Use Edition: Full Recap, Panel Discussion & Photos

Posted: August 4, 2026

By Ella Napata

Thank you for joining us on August 3 for Startup San Diego’s 1st Mondays Networking & Startup Event: Defense & Dual-Use Edition at the UC San Diego Design and Innovation Building!

Nearly 300 founders, investors, students, startup professionals, and innovation leaders came together for an evening of networking, 1:1 Founder Mentoring, startup expo, and an expert discussion about building technologies that can serve both commercial and government markets.

The evening began with networking, light bites, mentoring, and opportunities to meet the founders and organizations participating in the startup expo. Welcome remarks were delivered by Shane Moise, Founding Director of UC San Diego Horizon and Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship, and Tom Perkowski, Founding Principal at Apex View.

Build Once, Sell Twice: The Dual-Use Startup Advantage

The featured panel brought together leaders with experience across startups, defense, manufacturing, finance, government, and corporate innovation.

A huge thank you to our moderator and panelists:

Rachel Costello, Executive Director of The FORGE National Security Innovation
Eric Shnell, Founder and CEO of Craitor
Tony Long, Manager of Innovation at Northrop Grumman
Tyler Lay, Executive Director of Innovation Economy, Technology and Disruptive Commerce at J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking

View the Full 1st Mondays Expert Panel

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Featured Exhibitors Driving Innovation Across San Diego

The startup expo gave attendees an opportunity to meet organizations working across aerospace, artificial intelligence, data science, government contracting, real estate technology, design, marketing, and digital innovation.

Aztech Industrial Devices – The world’s first and only patented foot-operated latched door-handle system.
Data Science Alliance – A nonprofit community that connects data scientists
hopsctch – A creative marketing and design agency that helps startups and growing businesses
PapilioX – Innovation-focused technology company helping businesses embrace digital transformation
Procura Federal – Helps innovative businesses navigate the federal marketplace
RentScore – San Diego-based PropTech company that helps real estate investors evaluate rental properties
Value Insights.AI – Helps organizations turn complex data into actionable business intelligence
Wayfarer Aircraft Research and Development – Advancing the future of aviation through innovative aerospace research and engineering.

Learn more about our exhibitors here.

Thank You to Our 1st Mondays Mentors

Attendees also had an opportunity to participate in 1:1 Founder Mentoring and receive practical advice from experienced leaders in product development, entrepreneurship, business strategy, and startup growth.

Thank you to our mentors:

Alex Triener, Founder and CEO of Make Offshore
Tracy Stevens, Executive Product Coach at Product Rebels
Maisha Cobb, Founder of Mpact International
Shirley Yager, Retired Director of Product Management at Qualcomm
Kurling Robinson, Founder of Fōkcus

Startup San Diego members receive access to mentoring opportunities and additional startup resources throughout the year.

Thank You to Our Venue Partner, UC San Diego

A special thank you to UC San Diego and the Design and Innovation Building for welcoming the Startup San Diego community and providing a space where founders, students, investors, industry professionals, and innovators could connect and exchange ideas.

We’re grateful to all the speakers, mentors, exhibitors, partners, volunteers, and attendees who helped make the August edition of 1st Mondays possible.

View Photos from 1st Mondays & Join Us for the Next 1st Mondays

Relive the evening and find your photos from the event below. Tag us on LinkedIn and on Instagram @Startupsandiego. Join us next 1st Mondays happening December 7th at Cooley!