Defense Entrepreneurs Forum

Defense Entrepreneurs Forum is a nonprofit organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida, dedicated to strengthening national security by mobilizing informal networks and bridging institutional and independent actors.

We connect and empower individuals within the national security community through events, partnerships, and initiatives. Our mission is to decentralize, demystify, and democratize national security by making it participatory, community-driven, and accessible.

DEF cultivates and mobilizes informal networks as a strategic capability to solve national security challenges where existing capacity and capabilities fall short. By convening cross-sector changemakers, DEF empowers unconventional actors to deliver outcomes that strengthen U.S. readiness and resilience. We foster a culture of disruptive collaboration and innovation, driving positive impact in the U.S. national security landscape.