FORGE 2026

Startups must apply to attend at vcindc.com/forge. Home to the Pentagon, Virginia Tech's new Innovation Campus, and leading defense contractors, the National Landing neighborhood is positioned to be the region's premier defense and dual-use technology ecosystem. To accelerate this vision, partners including Arlington Economic Development (AED), National Innovation Quarter (NIQ), and JBG Smith (JBGS) are leading an effort to formalize an innovation hub across National Landing that will bring the world's greatest thinkers together to take on national and global challenges in advanced computing, cybersecurity, and defense technology. The result will be a neighborhood that provides the connections, programming, and resources startups need to thrive. Building on the momentum of our Missions + Markets series, and with Booz Allen Ventures and Red Cell Partners joining as our Founding Partners, FORGE 2026 is our marquee gathering, designed to facilitate connections in National Landing between funders and startups across the defense and dual-use sectors. Since FORGE launched in March 2025, our ventures have closed 28 funding rounds totaling more than $115 million, from pre-seed grants to a $25M Series A. This is where capital meets the companies the country depends on. Join us on October 28 in National Landing. One company selected from the cohort receives a $100K investment from Cape Fear Ventures. Attendance will be limited to the top 20 startups and 70+ investors, with the cohort selected by a group of VC and corporate peers. ➡ https://luma.com/FORGE2026-AfterParty Startups must apply to attend at vcindc.com/forge. Attendance will be limited to the top 20 startups and 50+ investors, with the cohort selected by a group of VC peers. In town for FORGE? Check out the Cyber Innovation Conference.