In May of this year, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the department’s initiative to merge tech with national security by launching the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, also known as DIUx.
Today, Mr. Secretary visited Capital Factory to share that DIUx has created a third team in Austin to support its existing offices in Boston and Silicon Valley to accelerate innovation for military personnel.
"I know many of you take pride in keeping Austin weird," said Carter. "I want to assure you that not only do I want you to keep Austin weird, I’m counting on it...we have to be willing to think differently."
Secretary Carter said the DIUx committee selected Austin because of its commitment to innovation in the tech industry and Texas’s deep connection to those who serve in American forces, calling it a "logical next step" to launch a team between the east and west coasts.
Christy Abizaid will lead the local branch. She previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, and on the National Security Council staff.
A main focus of the new team will be leveraging the members of the DIUx Joint Reserve Element, who already play a role in the Austin tech ecosystem. First Lieutenant Samantha Snabes, an intelligence officer and CEO of re:3D has been named the first reservist to join.
Capital Factory will host the team's working space, marking the first time a DIUx group has worked in an incubator. The University of Texas will also provide DIUx access across their 14 institutions throughout Texas.
“We are so excited that they are expanding here," said Capital Factory founder Joshua Baer. "That’s something I like to hear in the same sentence: Silicon Valley, Boston and Austin."
Carter joined President Obama’s administration in early 2015 and has been pushing for collaboration with the tech industry to take advantage of the growing enhancements in data science, biotech and electronic warfare.
Since its inception, DIUx has signed five agreements for $3.5 million with 22 projects in the pipeline.
Image provided by Capital Factory.
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