From Garage to Government: How Prize Authority Can Help Scale Your Startup With the DOD

Jesse Gipe is the Early Stage Portfolio Director for the Defense Innovation Unit. Jesse is responsible for orchestrating programs designed to support DIU Tech Portfolio Priorities with companies Series A and below. Both programs are geared to fund and identify emerging capabilities that can support critical National Security Missions. Previously Jesse served as the Acting National Operations Director (Feb, 2023) and the Pacific-South Regional Director (August, 2020) for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). As the Pac South Director Jesse led programs with military commands, universities and startups across Arizona, California, Hawaii and the INDOPACOM AOR. As the National Operations Director, Jesse is part of the NSIN leadership team and oversees the budget, hiring, and strategy development for the Regional Network Team. Prior to joining NSIN, Jesse was the Director of the San Diego World Trade Center supporting export initiatives and Foreign Direct Investment projects for global businesses expanding into or out of San Diego. As a Senior Manager of Economic Development Jesse led regional initiatives to support aerospace, tech, cybersecurity, and defense sectors with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC). His time at EDC includes creating and supervising the implementation of grants to increase defense resilience; conducting economic research on the defense industrial base; and the orchestration of a defense advocacy and lobbying program in Washington D.C. Jesse also has experience in the California Senate where he conducted outreach and legislative research on a wide variety of policy issues for CA State Senator. Jesse received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from The University of California San Diego.

As CTO, he is chartered to measurably improve technology-driven mission outcomes within the Dept of Navy. As TD, the PEO is chartered to expedite the performant, secure transformation of enterprise IT infrastructure within the Dept of Navy’s acquisition apparatus. He currently serves as an Advisor for Advanced Research Project Agency – Health (ARPA-H). Recent roles for Mr. Fanelli have included, Chief Data Architect for Defense Health, Technical Director for Navy Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPTE), Executive Lead for Navy's Digital Transformation in 5G and DevSecOps. With Dept of Navy roles, Mr Fanelli’s team has recently been recognized for transforming modern service delivery including multi-billion dollars in cost avoidance and leapahead impacts with the Etter Award. Within Defense Healthcare, Mr. Fanelli’s teams delivered the first one-stop data enterprise for revolutionized healthcare and research outcomes. Previously within DOD, Mr. Fanelli has served as a Service Chiefs Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Principal Engineer for Navy Enterprise Business Systems and Chief Systems Engineer for Command and Control (C2).

Mr. Zeke Topolosky manages the Department of the Army’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR|STTR) programs executed out of the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)). In this role he oversees the integration of Army SBIR|STTR investments with Army programs to deliver novel solutions from U.S.-based small businesses to our Soldiers. Mr. Topolosky has 23 years of experience with the Army working on science and technology development and strategic partnerships.