Stony Lonesome Group LLC

Stony Lonesome Group LLC's Florida Dual-Use/Defense Innovation & Investment Fireside Chat was an incredible success! 👏 A huge thank you to Embarc Collective for providing such a fantastic space to host our event! I’d also like to thank Brad Chedister, Tyler Johnson, Taylor Johnston, & Rocio Frej Vitalle for joining me on the panel. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the discussion & gained so much from your valuable insights into Florida’s ever-expanding dual-use space. Your contributions were truly invaluable—thank you! To all the attendees, thank you for showing up & engaging! We had over 65 registrations & about 50 attendees, which is amazing. There’s already been a lot of excitement & requests to host more events like this, focusing on dual-use/defense. It’s inspiring to see such enthusiasm! I truly love what I do & am proud of SLG’s mission to invest in companies that make a positive impact for the betterment of our nation. It’s what drives me every day, & for that, I’m deeply grateful. I’m thrilled to watch Florida soar as it continues to grow & expand in dual-use technology & investments! 👏🚀 Let's go! #dualuse #defense #tampa #tampabay #miami #florida #venturecapital #tech #impact #slg

We’re excited to share that ID.me has closed a $67 million investment through a tender offer led by new investor Ribbit Capital, with participation from existing investors Viking Global Investors and CapitalG. With over 135 million users – representing more than 50% of U.S. adults – and growing by 60,000+ new users daily, ID.me’s digital wallet is transforming how people securely manage and reuse their digital identities. “Our rapid growth trajectory and user adoption have been recognized by esteemed institutional investors," said Blake Hall, ID.me co-founder and CEO, "and this transaction highlights the differentiation our market-leading outcomes of expanding digital access, protecting privacy, fighting fraud, and ensuring frictionless user experience are receiving in the market." 💡 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eri44G7b #DigitalIdentity #Innovation #Investment #IDme

Join Stony Lonesome Group LLC for an engaging Fireside Chat with Florida's leading experts in the Dual-Use/Defense sector on November 20th at Embarc Collective. This event will bring together #innovators, #investors, & industry leaders to explore Florida’s critical role as a hub for dual-use & defense technology. We look forward to an evening of insights, networking, & discovering how Florida is shaping the future of defense innovation. Don’t miss out! This impressive lineup of industry leaders will lead the conversation: Kadi Findling (Moderator) - Senior Associate at Stony Lonesome Group Sean Drake - Founder & Managing Partner of Stony Lonesome Group LLC, Tampa’s Dual-Use Venture Firm Tyler Johnson - Director of Dual-Use & Government at eMerge Americas Taylor Johnston - Former Director of Innovation for the 6th Air Refueling Wing; currently COO for University of South Florida’s Institute of Applied Engineering Rocio Frej Vitalle - Founder & CEO of Improving Aviation Innovation Join us to explore how Florida is driving growth & fostering collaboration in this critical sector! 🚀 Space is limited so, register ASAP! https://lnkd.in/eGkjF-RX 📍 Embarc Collective 🕔 November 20th from 5-7pm #dualuse #defense #florida #floridainnovation #vc #entrepreneurship Michael Turfe, James Upson, Mike Wons, Dan O'Shea

Last week, Stony Lonesome Group LLC had the privilege of attending the Tampa Bay Innovation Center's invite-only Pitch Day, where #miltech, #defensetech, #fintech, #healthcare, #lifesciences, & #blockchain companies showcased their ideas to the #TampaBay community. It’s inspiring to see the incredible talent & progress being made by companies right here in our community! I had the absolute pleasure of meeting some amazing people, including Nadia Genevieve Masri, Sterling Cohen, Mike Giallombardo, Jeremy Beal, & many others!🚀🙏 #stpete #floridainnovation #entreprenuership #vc #investor #community

The Future of #DualUse Technology Dual-use technology—an innovation that serves both commercial & defense purposes—has become a critical driver of both market growth & #nationalsecurity. With government defense budgets increasing & the private sector innovation accelerating, there is a unique opportunity for startups to thrive in this space. But how can founders navigate the complexity of balancing commercial & defense applications? As a Senior Associate at Stony Lonesome Group LLC, which invests in later-stage dual-use technology, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing how the most successful #startups navigate these two worlds. Here’s my view on the future of dual-use technology & how entrepreneurs can maximize their impact in both markets. The Dual-Use Opportunity In today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, the lines between commercial & defense tech have blurred. Technologies like #AI, #Cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, & autonomous systems (to name a few) are not only reshaping industries, but are also vital to national defense. The beauty of dual-use innovation lies in its versatility: what starts as a commercial product can find life-saving applications in defense, & vice versa. For example, AI developed for commercial data analysis can be repurposed for military intelligence. Similarly, Cybersecurity solutions built for protecting businesses can safeguard critical infrastructure in defense. Governments are increasingly turning to private companies for defense innovation. As seen with programs like the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), there is a clear focus on leveraging commercial tech for military needs. This is an opportunity for startups to build technology that can have both commercial & military applications. AI & Autonomy: The convergence of AI & autonomous systems are perhaps, arguably, the most exciting frontier. #Drones, autonomous vehicles, & #robotics are already transforming both sectors. The ability to apply advanced AI for defense while maintaining commercial relevance is key to the future of dual-use tech. Public-Private Partnerships are Key 🔑: Governments & militaries worldwide are realizing the power of partnering with commercial tech companies. By collaborating with defense-focused investors & stakeholders, startups can unlock strategic contracts & long-term growth. How Startups Can Win in Dual-Use Markets Be Adaptable, But Focused: It’s important to balance the needs of both markets. For example, a company focused on AI for manufacturing should ensure its technology can be easily modified for defense applications. However, founders should avoid stretching too thin; a clear focus is crucial for product-market fit. The future of dual-use technology is bright. By staying agile, understanding the defense ecosystem, & leveraging strategic partnerships, startups can build technology that not only generates revenue but also makes a meaningful impact on national security.

With hundreds of successful deliveries already flown, the future looks bright for Valqari and Northwestern Medicine! ▪️Patients are spending less time waiting for labs ▪️Nurses are getting more time to spend with them This is exactly the kind of impact this technology was designed for! I'd also like to personally thank Lyle, Kali, and Salvatore! https://lnkd.in/gNAqgbHM #dronedelivery #uavs #drones #medicaldelivery Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies List 1871 Chicago Innovation Creative Destruction Lab World Business Chicago Drone Logistics Ecosystem UAV for Payload Delivery Working Group (UPDWG) mHUB Reggie Jordan Vertiport Chicago | Vertiport Global #medicallogistics