Sold-Out Defense Innovation & Business Growth Summit Explores Colorado’s Role in National Security and Industry Growth

The Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council (CAD-EC) hosted a sold-out crowd of more than 100 leaders from Colorado’s aerospace, defense, cybersecurity, and investment sectors on Wednesday at its inaugural Defense Innovation & Business Growth Summit, presented by J.P. Morgan Chase, at Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation.

The event – CAD-EC’s first major industry gathering since its formation earlier this year – brought together defense experts, investors, and business leaders to discuss emerging opportunities tied to national defense priorities such as the Golden Dome initiative, evolving Department of Defense procurement models, and access to capital for small and mid-sized firms.

“This summit marked the first of many more industry-centered events to come in 2026,” said Dale Anderson, Senior Vice President of Economic and Defense Development & Government Affairs for the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “We brought together industry executives and leaders who are shaping the nation’s security architecture and connected them with capital investors to help them innovate and grow faster and more resilient in this new era of defense acquisition.”

The summit featured a presentation by Kevin Lander, Managing Director at JPMorgan, who highlighted the firm’s newly announced $1.5 trillion Security and Resiliency Initiative – a 10-year effort to accelerate investment in industries vital to national economic security, including defense and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and frontier technologies.

The summit featured two panel discussions on the state of the defense industry and capital, investment, and growth, with insights from Rear Admiral (Ret.) Will Pennington and Mike Dickey of Elara Nova; Andy Merritt of ONE Funds; Tess Oxenstierna of Capstone Partners; and moderator Phillip Poliquin of J.P. Morgan.

Panelists and attendees explored several key themes:

• Procurement Evolution: The DoD is shifting toward Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), direct awards, and Rapid Capabilities Offices, emphasizing speed, scalability, and expanded industrial participation.
• Investor Expectations: Investors and primes are increasingly focused on scalability, financial discipline, and readiness to meet diligence requirements — areas where many middle-market firms face challenges.
• Financial Readiness: Companies were urged to prepare for growth by converting demand signals into contract-backed cash flows, maintaining clean financials, and understanding compliance and investor metrics.
• Strategic Alignment: Speakers cautioned against “false demand signals,” such as non-program-of-record interest, and encouraged companies to align with long-term acquisition pathways that deliver sustainable results.

Businesses interested in joining the Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council can contact Dale Anderson at DAnderson@cscedc.com. Membership is open to Chamber & EDC members at the Business Advocate level or higher who are engaged in or support the aerospace, defense and cybersecurity ecosystem. CAD-EC members receive access to specialized programming, policy discussions, and exclusive industry roundtables.