Policy to Production: Fielding Faster, Governing Smarter | The Pair Program Ep89
Policy to Production: Fielding Faster, Governing Smarter | The Pair Program Ep89
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Weigand, Founder & CEO at Aventra, and Joshua Stiefel, Vice President for Government Relations at Second Front, to explore what it really takes to move defense technology from idea to execution. The conversation centers on the practical challenges of building, scaling, and adopting new capabilities inside government systems, where speed, policy, and production all collide. From acquisition realities to the future of cyber warfare, this episode offers a grounded look at how innovation actually reaches the field.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- Transitioning defense tech from prototype to production
- Manufacturing readiness and scaling under real constraints
- Acquisition pathways that enable faster adoption
- The role of policy in shaping innovation outcomes
- Cyber warfare, force structure, and what comes next
About Michael Weigand: Michael is Founder & CEO at Aventra, focused on deploying next-generation defense technologies. He previously founded Shift5, scaling it into a venture-backed defense software company. He now supports emerging national security startups as an Entrepreneur in Residence.
About Joshua Stiefel: Joshua is Vice President for Government Relations at Second Front, a public benefit software company serving national security missions. He previously worked on cyber and defense policy for the House Armed Services Committee. Josh also served in the executive branch and the U.S. Navy Reserve.
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