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Overview

The Defense Ventures Fellows program is an immersion program for active military and civilian members of the Department of Defense who spend two weeks in cohort-based training and development, then six weeks embedded in a venture capital firm or portfolio company. Participants return to government service with new insights about the innovation economy and commercial technology. The program creates knowledge exchange between VC, defense, and startup communities to address national security challenges.

Program details

Designed for Operators, Corporate Innovators, Investors. The program is in person. Participation is generally full time.

Who it is for

Active duty military; reserve and guard members; Department of Defense civilians; DoD personnel with interest in understanding commercial innovation and venture capital; members of federal agencies including Space Force, Air Force, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Check if you are eligible

Check your eligibility for Insight Partners Defense Ventures Fellows

Benefits

2 weeks cohort training; 6 weeks embedded in VC firm or portfolio company; hands-on investment evaluation methodology training; exposure to portfolio company growth strategies; networking between defense and VC communities; understanding of startup ecosystem; return to government service with innovation perspective.

Timeline

The program lasts for a total of 8 weeks, consisting of 2 weeks of training followed by 6 weeks of embedded experience.

What came of it

Notable participants include Colonel Eric Lyon (special forces), Captain Dave Kurtz (F-18 pilot), Jamie Johnson (Space Force acquisitions officer), Michael Baird (Air Force FAO), Georgia Bass (NGA researcher).

How to go about it

  1. Read what it asks for

    Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.

  2. Have something to show

    Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.

  3. Apply the way the program asks

    The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.

What it pays

Johnson described his historical Defense Ventures experience as fully funded, but did not specify whether that meant salary, a stipend, travel or lodging support, or how funding was allocated. His account does not establish the financial terms of other placements.

Questions about this program

How long was the historical fellowship experience?

Johnson’s retrospective describes an eight-week Defense Ventures experience; it does not establish a current schedule.

What work did a fellow do at Insight Partners?

Johnson reports advising defense and dual-use portfolio companies and preparing go-to-market briefs for four companies, plus a combined brief for Insight. These are examples from his placement, not stated requirements for every fellow.

Is there a current Insight Partners application?

The available evidence documents a historical placement and does not confirm a current application or intake.

About Insight Partners

Insight Partners

Venture Capital

Global software investor focused on high-growth technology companies.

Lists that include this program

From public sources

What the sources say about Insight Partners Defense Ventures Fellows

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