Entrepreneurship Pathways

The Pentagon Just Handed American Drone Startups a $1 Billion Golden Ticket On July 10, SECDEF dropped a memo that changes everything for drone manufacturers. Combined with Trump's June 6 executive order, we're witnessing the most radical shift in defense procurement since World War II. Here's what just happened:  The Pentagon ripped up years of red tape that kept innovative companies out of defense contracts. Now they're treating small drones (under 55 pounds) like ammunition - expendable, mass-produced, and urgently needed. The numbers are staggering: • Every Army squad gets attack drones by FY2026 • Production target: Millions of units annually • Weaponization approvals: Cut from years to 30 days • Battery certifications: Down to one week For companies eyeing this opportunity, here's your roadmap: Step 1: Compliance First (Immediate) Ensure NDAA compliance - zero Chinese components. Review the Blue UAS Framework. This isn't negotiable. One foreign chip kills your entire opportunity. Step 2: Prototype Fast (12-18 months) Build modular systems under 55 pounds. Think swappable payloads for ISR or strike missions. The 18 prototypes showcased on July 17 averaged 18 months of development vs. the traditional 6 years. Step 3: Get Certified (Ongoing) Apply to DIU's Blue UAS program. This is your fastest path to approved vendor status. The memo expands this list with AI-managed updates coming in 2026. Step 4: Find Your Entry Point (30-90 days) • Respond to the Army's July 8 solicitation for low-cost systems • Partner with established primes as a subcontractor • Target frontline units are now empowered to buy directly Step 5: Scale Smart (By 2026) Secure private funding. Explore DoD purchase commitments. Participate in the new drone test zones launching in 90 days. The brutal reality? We're playing catch-up. China produces 90% of commercial drones globally. But that's precisely why this opportunity exists. The Pentagon needs American manufacturers desperately. Watch for these challenges: • Supply chain constraints for non-Chinese components • Fierce competition from AeroVironment and Kratos • Higher production costs vs. Chinese competitors • Maintaining cybersecurity while moving fast Stock prices tell the story - drone companies surged 15-40% after the announcement. Private capital is flooding in. America is building a new arsenal, and drones are the foundation. If you have manufacturing capability, AI expertise, or can build at scale, this is your Manhattan Project moment. The difference? This time, we know exactly what we're building and why. The window is open. But it won't stay that way.

Networking plays a crucial role in any professional field, but in the dynamic world of fashion, it takes on a unique flavour. This is because the fashion industry is tight-knit and can be difficult to break into without the right connections. As someone who started as a complete outsider but managed to find my way into the industry, here are some tips that I think would help you navigate the world of fashion: ➡️ If there's a specific person or brand you admire or want to work with, don't hesitate to reach out directly.  ➡️ Follow industry professionals and engage with their posts. You never know who may notice your comment or DM and would want to connect with you! ➡️ Consider volunteering or interning at fashion-related events, fashion weeks, or fashion organisations. Anytime you see an opening, even if you don’t fill all the requirements, APPLY.  ➡️ Join online communities or forums dedicated to fashion. Tip: Facebook has a lot of fashion-focused forums.  ➡️ Keep yourself updated with industry trends. My best suggestion for runway knowledge: The Vogue Runway app. ➡️ Attend exhibitions and fairs where a lot of brands are going to show up and make in-person connections.  ➡️ Whether your expertise lies in styling, photography or strategy, build up a portfolio and approach emerging fashion designers, photographers, models or stylists for a mutually beneficial collaboration. Lastly, remember, networking is a long game - So start small and keep at it and you'll be making connections in no time! #Networking #Fashion #Entrepreneurship

“How do I transition from corporate world to being an entrepreneur ?” Sharing from my experience. 1. Fear - The biggest challenge is fear , we are used to working in a terrain, I call it the comfort zone , we may hate the place , but we are stuck because fear holds us back. I had many a sleepless nights worrying about what when the paycheque stops , I was used to that drip for over 30 years. The only way to deal with fear from my experience is to look it in the eye and walk through it. There is no other way. Some Practical Tips that will help you: ✔️Build a cushion for minimum one year for any unexpected events besides it may take time till your business gets going. When COVID hit business vanishes , I could survive. ✔️The next is clear out all your loans . I did this before I stepped out. ✔️Have a good medical cover for your family , this is critical. ✔️ Learn to live frugal , all the perks will stop and you pay for everything. I started working from Starbucks and co-working spaces. ✔️Be ready to multitask. I was the accountant and the website developer and the sales head all at once. ✔️ Be ready to be rejected time and again . This is the most stressful yet most important skill you will need on your journey. 2. Have Your Why : Don’t just step out because you hate the place , the grass looks greener on the other side always. Have a clear ‘Why’ , what is it that drives you , that gets you excited and will keep you going in tough times. For me it was always about “being the CEO of My Life” , I wanted to live life on my own terms, do what I love , contribute my best gifts , have time for what matters most - self , family , things I love. 3. Build Your Brand - You already are a brand , ask 5 of your connections / friends what do they think of you , what are the qualities they appreciate in you and you will have your answer. The point is can you be a brand that stands out , that adds value to someone, will be missed when does not show up. You will find such people around you , they will always be in demand. Their jobs cannot be defined because they go beyond, so their jobs cannot be taken away easily with something cheaper . They are artists at work and artists cannot be replaced . They are passionate about what they do and they have a strong point of view and are not afraid to stand up , stand out speak up and rock the boat. Be that brand not a commodity, do this while you are in a job . 4. Become a Storyteller - every thing that is sold in the world begins with an idea and the one who is able to spread that idea gains the most. Storytellers are dreamers , they spread ideas with stories and they build their tribes. Learn to stand up and speak and be heard and remembered. Humans are wired for stories, B2B , B2C or D2C finally you connect with a human being. Build these skills anyway . You never know when you will need it. #entreprenuership

One thing most first-time founders overlook? Government schemes. We often chase VC funding and overlook the fact that India has quietly created one of the world’s most diverse startup support ecosystems, especially for AgriTech, rural innovation, and women-led enterprises. However, what we often overlook is that the Indian government is establishing one of the strongest support systems for startups across various sectors, particularly in AgriTech, biotech, MSMEs, and women-led businesses. And most of us never explore them. Here are some game-changing schemes you probably didn’t know could support your startup idea, or even help you scale faster: 🔹 NABVENTURES Fund • Backed by NABARD • Targets AgriTech, food processing, and rural tech startups • Offers ₹5–20 Cr in funding plus deep market access 🔹 Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) • Provides debt financing for post-harvest infra and agri-community assets • Startups can avail 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹72 Cr 🔹 ASPIRE (Ministry of MSME) • Promotes rural entrepreneurship and MSME innovation • Gives access to incubation, skill development, and mentoring platforms 🔹 RKVY-RAFTAAR • Focused on agribusiness innovation • Offers ₹25L in grants + incubation support 🔹 BIPP (Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme) • Funds high-risk R&D in biotech • You retain IP, and they share R&D costs • Ideal for startups doing cutting-edge research 🔹 Women Entrepreneur Cell (Central Bank of India) • Empowers women-led startups with credit and advisory services • Especially helpful for women entrepreneurs in MSMEs and agriculture 🔹 NBHM (National Beekeeping & Honey Mission) • Helps agri startups working in biodiversity and bee farming • Offers support for beekeeping infrastructure like bee boxes and honey storage 🔹 PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana) • Encourages organic farming with up to ₹50,000/hectare in subsidies 🔹 GENESIS (Digital India) • Supports digitally enabled startups, especially those led by women and marginalised groups Explore it. Apply for it. Use it. #startups #governmentschemes #startupfunding #business #entrepreneurship

🌾 “Log gawar bolte the… jab maine kheti ko chuna.” That’s what Prince Shukla, a 24-year-old from Purnia, Bihar, was told when he left his job in Bengaluru to return home and take up farming. But he didn’t just return to the land—he redefined what it means to grow from it. With a BSc in Agriculture and just ₹1 lakh borrowed from family, Prince launched AGRATE—a startup helping farmers access quality seeds, organic fertilizers, and modern irrigation tools. But his real innovation? Personal training and ground-level support for small-scale farmers. 📈 Today, AGRATE earns ₹2.5 crore annually. 🌱 Farmers who once struggled now thrive with modern techniques. 🏡 Families who once saw farming as a burden now take pride in it. And those who once mocked him? They now seek his advice. Prince didn’t just grow a business. He grew confidence, community, and a new narrative for Indian agriculture. 👉 Farming isn’t backward. It's the future—and leaders like Prince are making it brighter, greener, and more dignified. #Agrate #PrinceShukla #Entrepreneurship #Bihar #Agritech #YoungLeaders #SustainableFarming #Inspiration #GrassrootsInnovation #IndianStartups

Defense tech startups make mistakes by relying on funding more than long-term contracts. Since 2022, I’ve been advising a few defense tech/dual-use teams in business development, funding, and scaling. 99% of them came to me saying, “Dima, we need your help to attract funding.” But in most cases, this strategy isn’t working Yes, the war in Ukraine has certainly raised the interest of VC firms and governmental funds in defense tech. But actual investments remain limited, with a slight decline from 2022 to 2023 (according to Sifted). Overhyped, much needed on the battlefield, but underinvested. And here is why. Defense or dual-use technologies require significant investment in R&D, a deep understanding of national security and intellectual property (IP), rules of export control, ITAR regulations, and their future value applications. Additionally, these companies exist in a highly competitive market with the most classified contracts. This means they need endless cash flow, face unpredictable scaling, and have limited exit opportunities (like acquisitions or public offerings). Not the best choice for a VC who’s never been there. The other side of the game is that funding alone doesn't solve the startups’ goal here. Are you fundraising to scale production? Where will you distribute the outcomes? Do you need money for client acquisition? How do you approach GTM in different geos? Under which principles? No amount of money will introduce you to defense institutions and government agencies. Think of defense tech startups as B2B enterprise solutions. 1/ Understand the ecosystem and secure government support: Those could be government grants, and specific funds that have a history of investing in defense tech. Examples include the NATO Innovation Fund and the European Investment Fund. 2/ Think about international distribution: Establish relationships with stakeholders in the defense sector, including government agencies, military officials, and industry experts. Look for countries that have a history of territorial disputes. 3/ Hire industry experts: Assemble a team with experience in the defense sector, including former military personnel, defense contractors, and regulatory experts. 4/ Be prepared for a joint long-term contract: This implies sharing managed services, your technology, expertise and time in order to get necessary support and entrance to market. Innovation is core in the current geopolitical environment and how the economy of war has changed. But the form of innovation depends on the needs of a specific region, industry, and their challenges for either 1-2 years or usually in a strategic 5-15 years horizon. However, to work on any strategy, you have to be aligned with those 4 points above.

Agricultural Degrees Without Business Skills Is a Fast Track to Unemployment (Part 2) Let’s continue from where we stopped… The university gave you theories, not strategies. They taught you how to grow crops and raise animals but not how to turn that knowledge into money. That’s why many agriculture graduates remain stuck. Because the world doesn’t reward effort; it rewards impact. And in agribusiness, impact means solving real problems profitably. If you truly want to earn from agriculture, here’s how to bridge the gap between “I studied agriculture” and “I earn from agriculture”: 1. Choose Your Sector Early. Agriculture is too broad for you to be everywhere. Pick a niche: crops, livestock, feed, processing, export, agtech, or marketing. Clarity creates focus. Focus creates mastery. And mastery is what people pay for. 2. Learn How to Identify Opportunities Around You. Every community has a problem: post-harvest loss, poor packaging, low market access, bad feed. Ask: “What can I solve here?” Businesses start from curiosity, not capital. 3. Volunteer or Intern with Intention. Don’t just be a farmhand. Observe the business side. Ask about pricing, records, customers, and marketing. Those lessons are worth more than your allowance. 4. Build a Personal Brand Online. Document your learning journey. Share insights, farm visits, and research. Opportunities find visible people. 5. Learn Sales and Marketing; It’s Non-Negotiable. Even the best produce can’t sell itself. Take free courses, learn copywriting, and master positioning. Because Visibility is the new currency. 6. Study the Market, Not Just the Soil. Who buys? When do they buy? Why do they buy? How can you reach them faster and cheaper? Money doesn’t hide in the farm, it hides in the flow of goods and people. 7. Start Small, Think Big. Don’t wait for millions. Grow something. Package something. Sell something. Experience will teach you more than fear ever will. 8. Learn the Language of Business. Know terms like profit margin, market positioning, cost control, and distribution. These are not just MBA terms, they are survival tools for every agripreneur. 9. Find Mentorship and Community. Stop walking alone. Learn from people already earning from agriculture. You’ll grow faster and make fewer mistakes. So if you’re reading this as a student or beginner in agriculture; Don’t wait to graduate before becoming relevant. Start now. Learn aggressively. Build intentionally. Because the truth is… #Agriculture feeds the world. #Agribusiness feeds the #farmer.

WIN IN DEFENSE AS A SMALL BUSINESS: There’s a 1-2-3 Playbook with SBIR/STTR + TACFI + STRATFI If you lead a startup or small business with serious tech, DoD is actively looking for companies like yours, via a funded, fast-track path. It's called SBIR/STTR → TACFI → STRATFI — a 3-stage launchpad from idea to impact, with up to $15M+ in non-dilutive funding available. >>>>>> STEP 1 <<<<<< SBIR/STTR: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the DoD's way of injecting small-business innovation into military capability. - Phase I: Up to $250K to prove your idea works. - Phase II: Up to $1.5M to build and demo your prototype. - STTR: Similar, but with a required university or research partner. Why it exists: SBIR/STTR brings startups, labs, and founders into the fight — on equal footing. Several entry points across DoD: 1. AFWERX (USAF) and SpaceWERX (USSF) – open topics, fast timelines 2. Army Applications Lab (AAL) – warfighter challenges 3. NavalX / ONR Tech Bridges – regional innovation 4. SOFWERX (SOCOM) – fast moves, no fluff 5. DIU, DARPA, MDA – for deep tech or dual-use EXAMPLE: Anduril got early federal funding to develop autonomous surveillance towers — now an $8B juggernaut and growing. >>>>>> STEP 2 <<<<<< TACFI. Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) gives up to $1.7M (plus match) to field-test your tech with real military users. Requires SBIR/STTR Phase II as a base. Needs a match — either 1:1 private or 2:1 government funds. Meant to bridge the ‘valley of death’ between demo and deployment. Why it exists: TACFI co-funds the risk so you can get the data, feedback, and real-world traction you need to move forward. EXAMPLE: Resilient Lifescience used TACFI to field a wearable opioid reversal device with USAF and special ops medics — now on track for bigger DoD medical impact. >>>>>> STEP 3 <<<<<< STRATFI. Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) gives up to $15M in DoD funding, with heavy matching, to take your tech into programs of record, procurement pipelines, and national impact. Built for Phase II SBIR/STTR projects with strategic relevance. Requires big buy-in: government stakeholders, primes, and/or investors. Opens the door to multi-year, DoD-wide adoption. Why it exists: STRATFI gives decision-makers a way to bet big on proven innovation — not just test it, but buy it, integrate it, and scale it. EXAMPLE: Shield AI started with a small SBIR for autonomous drone AI. Now they serve the Navy, SOCOM, and more — raising $500M+ in private capital and hitting a $2.5B+ valuation. >>>>>> NEXT STEPS <<<<<< Apply to DoD SBIR/STTR: DODSBIRSTTR . MIL www.dodsbirsttr.mil IMAGE: Anduril’s MENACE-X with USMC. DISCLAIMER: This post is for information only and not a solicitation or offer. All views my own. #SBIR #STTR #TACFI #STRATFI Anduril Shield AI #SmallBusiness #DefenseTech #StartupToScaleup #AFWERX #NavalX #SOFWERX #DIU #DualUseTech

How to Survive the Valley of Death for Defense startup? (Both European and American) The "Valley of Death" is a critical challenge for defense startups, representing the gap between initial R&D funding and sustainable revenue from defense contracts. It's particularly treacherous in the defense sector due to long procurement cycles and complex regulations. Startups must navigate three distinct parts: 1. Investment Side of the Valley 2. Middle of the Valley 3. Procurement Side of the Valley / Overcoming the Investment Side of the Valley - Focus on technologies with dual use applications to attract diverse funding sources. - Engage with end-users early to validate your solution's relevance. In the U.S., programs like AFWERX and DIU can facilitate these connections. - Use open topic solicitations! Take advantage of programs like the U.S. SBIR/STTR or the European Defence Fund's open calls for innovative solutions. - Craft pitch decks and short white papers aligned with commercial practices for quicker evaluation. - Avoid becoming a "SBIR mill": In the U.S., diversify beyond SBIR funding to demonstrate commercial viability. / Surviving the Middle of the Valley - For U.S. programs like SBIR Phase II or STRATFI, obtain support from potential military customers. - Leverage venture capital or other private funding as a bridge to complement government investment. - Consider government-backed loans. Explore options like those proposed by the U.S. Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) or the European Investment Bank's venture debt for defense and security. / Managing the Procurement Side of the Valley - Advocate for open architectures and interoperability to ease integration with existing systems. Both the U.S. DoD and European Defence Agency are prioritizing this approach. - Participate actively when defense agencies conduct market surveys. - Focus on modularity. Design your solutions to be easily upgradable and integrated into larger systems, aligning with trends like the U.S. DoD's Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). - Consider partnering with established defense primes to access larger contracts. In Europe, initiatives like the EDIDP (European Defence Industrial Development Programme) encourage such collaborations. Remember, success in defense requires persistence and adaptability. By understanding and strategically approaching each stage of the Valley of Death, startups can increase their chances of emerging as key players in the defense innovation ecosystem. Please hit like and leave a comment if you found this post useful. I’m currently exploring new opportunities in the defense space. If you’re working on something extraordinary, let’s connect and discuss collaboration opportunities! 🤝 P.S Picture is taken from Pete Modigliani #defensetech #miltech #defense

Little known fact, I had a clothing line (MSL Collections) in the late 90's - early 00's. I wish I had known most of this before I sold my first piece. This article is spot on and timely!   As our young talents immerse themselves in honing their craft, it's crucial to acknowledge that mastering the design industry entails more than just creativity—it's also about navigating the complexities of business.   The glamorous facade portrayed on social media, showcasing young designers rubbing shoulders with celebrities, strutting their stuff at fashion shows, and reveling in brand launches, often overlooks the industry's harsh realities.   Here are some key highlights to ponder: ·      Securing Your First Financing: It's unlikely to come from traditional sources like funds or banks. How can you explore alternative avenues to kickstart your venture? ·      Understanding Costs: Do you know the minimum yardage or sample costs? Getting a grasp on these financial intricacies is vital for sustainable growth. ·      Choosing Your Workspace: Setting up shop in NYC? Brace yourself for sky-high studio rents that can soar up to $7000 a month! How do you navigate such steep overheads? ·      Navigating Retail Partnerships: Landing coveted spots in retail giants like Nordstrom or Macy's might seem like the ultimate win. However, beware: big orders don't always translate to big profits and can even lead to financial strain. How can you ensure profitability in these partnerships? ·      The Reality of Fashion Week: While strutting your creations down the runway during Fashion Week is undeniable, have you considered the hefty price tag attached to staging a show?   These insights shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of the design industry, providing invaluable wisdom for aspiring designers. Thank goodness for organizations like RAISEfashion and Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR) that are helping young designers navigate. There's so much more to learn and discuss—let's continue this conversation and empower the next generation of design trailblazers! #emergingtalent #designerlife #designeducation WOC Retail Alliance