
Defense tech, AI, and fundraising take center stage at StrictlyVC Los Angeles on June 18
Quick Answer
StrictlyVC Los Angeles on June 18 will gather investors, founders, and tech leaders at The Aerospace Corporation Campus to discuss pivotal trends in venture capital, defense technology, and AI.
Quick Take
This event highlights the growing intersection of these sectors, emphasizing the importance of innovation and funding in shaping the future of advanced industries.
Key Points
- Event scheduled for June 18 at The Aerospace Corporation Campus in El Segundo.
- Focus on venture capital, defense tech, and artificial intelligence discussions.
- Brings together key stakeholders in technology and investment sectors.
- Highlights the importance of funding in advanced industry innovations.
📖 Reader Mode
~3 min readWith just two weeks to go, StrictlyVC Los Angeles is quickly approaching. On Thursday, June 18, at The Aerospace Corporation Campus in El Segundo, investors, founders, and tech leaders will gather for an evening of conversation exploring some of the most consequential shifts taking place across venture capital, defense technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced industry. Secure your spot here.
For executives navigating a rapidly changing technology landscape, StrictlyVC offers something increasingly difficult to find: direct access to the people building, funding, and shaping the next generation of companies. The conversations are candid, the audience is highly curated, and the insights extend far beyond what can be found in headlines, podcasts, or social media feeds.

Who’s taking the stage in Los Angeles
The evening begins with Ethan Thornton, founder of Mach Industries. In his session, “Built for a New Era of Defense Technology,” Thornton will share his perspective on building a hard tech company at speed and how advances in autonomy, manufacturing, and national security are transforming the defense sector. His story reflects a broader movement of founders tackling ambitious challenges in industries undergoing rapid change.
The conversation continues with Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund and Saif Khawaja of Shinkei Systems. Together they will discuss the rise of physical AI and how developments in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities to transform the physical world. Their discussion will offer insight into what it takes to build and scale breakthrough technologies beyond software alone.
Also joining the lineup is Carter Reum, co-founder and partner at M13. In his session, “Finding the Next Big Thing,” Reum will explore how AI is reshaping industries and how investors are moving beyond short-term hype to identify companies built for long-term durability. He will share his perspective on where innovation is creating the most meaningful opportunities and how venture investing is evolving as new categories emerge.

Additional speakers and conversations will be announced soon as the StrictlyVC Los Angeles agenda continues to grow. Stay updated on the latest speaker announcements and event news.
Grab your pass and join the conversation
Beyond the conversations onstage, StrictlyVC Los Angeles is designed to bring together the people driving innovation across technology and venture capital. Throughout the evening, attendees will have opportunities to connect with founders, investors, and operators in an environment that encourages meaningful discussion and the exchange of ideas. Whether you are looking to expand your network, gain new perspectives, or discover emerging opportunities, the value of the event extends well beyond the scheduled sessions. Secure your spot here.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
— Originally published at techcrunch.com
Want this in your inbox every morning?
Daily brief at your local 8am — bilingual EN/中文, free.
More from TechCrunch
See more →
AI chip startup Etched defies skeptics, hits $10.3B valuation from big-name investors
AI chip startup Etched has achieved a $10.3 billion valuation after a $300 million Series C funding round, led by Sequoia and supported by notable investors like Andreessen Horowitz. The company claims to have developed innovative low-voltage chips for AI inference, significantly enhancing performance and reducing costs, with $1 billion in orders already booked.

