The Four Words That Win DoW Deals
Most startups walk into the Pentagon with a solution nobody asked for. Peter Belk has watched it happen for decades, and he has a fix.
ethan@cet.vc
Key Takeaways for Israeli Founders From Report on U.S. Contracting
In June, a research team at George Mason University published a 35-page report on government contracting, which analyzed the speed with which the U.S. is procuring emerging technologies. Comparing … Read more
Jessica Lewis: If You Want to Sell Arms to America, You Have to Build in America
Jessica Lewis explains how the February “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” will impact Israeli defense-tech founders, especially when it comes to its yet-to-be-released sales catalog of prioritized platforms.
SHIELD Is Not a Prize. It’s a Filter.
SHIELD was designed to cast a wide net, not pick winners. As execution begins, delivery, integration, and real U.S. buyers will determine which defense startups survive.
Trump Wants a $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget. Here’s the Real Story for Israeli Startups
Trump’s call for a $1.5T defense budget isn’t about the number; it’s a giant neon sign flashing “the U.S. needs faster, non-traditional tech yesterday.” For Israeli defense-tech founders, this is your cue: the Pentagon’s appetite for speed and new vendors is about to explode.
Trump’s Strike on Defense Contractor Payouts Is a Gift to Fast-Moving Startups
Trump’s crackdown on defense contractor payouts is basically Washington admitting the primes can’t build fast enough. For Israeli defense-tech startups, that’s the opening: the Pentagon is shifting money and attention toward anyone who can deliver real capability quicker than the incumbents.
The U.S. Is Throwing $115M at Counter-Drone Tech for the World Cup. Here’s why it matters for Israeli Drone Startups
The U.S. just turned the 2026 World Cup into a $115 million counter-drone shopping spree, and Israeli defense-tech startups should use this as an opportunity to get their solutions in front of DHS and FEMA before long-term winners are locked-in.
Why this DoW shake-up could help Israeli founders
The DoW’s new memo consolidates its innovation system under a single CTO and elevates DIU and SCO into formal Field Activities. For Israeli founders, this could mean a more stable and predictable path into the US defense market. The reforms emphasize commercial product adoption and clearer entry points, which may make it easier for startups to run pilots and transition into real programs.
Navigating the U.S. Defense Market: Key Lessons from Matt Hyatt, Crossed Arrows Global Partners
Matt Hyatt of Crossed Arrows Global Partners walks through the most common mistakes Israeli defense tech companies make when entering the U.S. market, from misreading operator feedback to engaging decision makers before understanding who actually owns the problem and controls the budget.
Breaking In: Selling to the DoW with Sarah Bard
Sarah Bard, a former senior official at the U.S. Small Business Administration, walked Israeli defense tech founders through the basics of breaking into U.S. government contracting.
