Launch Texas | Commercializing Defense & Aerospace Tech: Fireside Chat with Will Dickson (CRO, Canopy Aerospace & Defense)

Go-to-market strategies, dual-use scaling, and private equity-backed growth for hard-tech, materials, and aerospace innovations. Join the Texas Innovation Center for a candid conversation with Will Dickson, Chief Revenue Officer at Canopy Aerospace & Defense. Canopy is a private equity-backed platform focused on signature reduction and high-temperature materials for critical defense and aerospace applications. Will brings deep expertise across commercial strategy, revenue scaling, government contracting, and navigating the transition from novel physical tech to deployed, mission-ready platforms. Who this is for UT faculty, postdocs, grad students, and startup teams commercializing hard-tech, advanced materials, defense, or aerospace research. Founders looking to understand government sales pipelines, defense acquisition, venture capital vs. PE backing, and dual-use go-to-market strategy. Agenda 1:30 – 2:10 PM: Fireside chat and open Q&A with Will Dickson 2:10 – 2:30 PM: Open networking and 1:1 discussions About the speaker Will Dickson serves as Chief Revenue Officer at Canopy Aerospace & Defense, where he oversees commercialization, defense partnerships, and revenue expansion across specialized manufacturing, advanced thermal protection, and signature reduction materials. Will has a track record of scaling high-growth hard-tech ventures operating at the intersection of private capital and national security. Refreshments and snacks provided. Texas Innovation Center, EER 2.518 — Engineering Education and Research Center, 2501 Speedway. In person only. Enter EER on the second floor and take a left; TXIC is on your right across from O's Cafe.