-28.029901825539408, 153.43195430713072
09.09.2026
ANNUAL DEFENCE INDUSTRY INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
PRESENTED BY BEATEN ZONE VENTURE PARTNERS
DATE
Wednesday, 09 September 2026
SUPPORTED BY
Reveille Conference 2026
LOCATION
Sofitel Hotel, Gold Coast, Queensland
DELEGATES
200+
BACK THE INNOVATORS
•
READY THE NATION
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BACK THE INNOVATORS • READY THE NATION •
01Capital Meets Mission. Here.
The world has changed. The mission is clear.
Global defence founders are building the technology that will define the next decade of national security. The United States has shown what happens when private capital backs that mission at speed and at scale. Australia is ready to do the same.
REVEILLE is the call.
Australia's first Defence Investment Conference, hosted by Beaten Zone Venture Partners on the Gold Coast, 9 September 2026. One day. One room. Global defence founders and leading US and Australian investors, side by side, aligned on what needs to be funded and built.
This is the moment private capital steps forward. This is where the conversations that move nations actually happen. This is where founders meet the investors who back missions, not just business plans.
REVEILLE 2026. Gold Coast. 9 September.
REaDY THE NATION.
Back the Mission.
02The bugle has sounded. Australia answers.
Australia cannot defend itself with good intentions.
We need sovereign capability in the air, at sea, underground, and in the digital domain. We need founders brave enough to build it and investors willing to back them. We need US and Australian capital in the same room, pointed at the same problems.
REVEILLE was built because that room did not exist.
Beaten Zone Venture Partners created this conference to do one thing: mobilise private capital into the defence asset class and connect it directly to the founders solving the hardest problems in national security.
The name comes from the military bugle call sounded at dawn. The signal to rise. To get ready. To begin.
Australia's moment is now. The capital needs to wake up.
Ready the Nation. Back the Mission.
Private Capital.
Sovereign Capability.
WAKE THE INNOVATORS
•
READY THE NATION
•
WAKE THE INNOVATORS • READY THE NATION •
Speakers
Event Host & MC
SteVE BAXTER
Founder & Lead Investor, Beaten Zone Venture Partners
Steve Baxter is founder & lead investor of Beaten Zone Venture Partners, an early-stage VC firm dedicated to backing disruptive technologies that enhance Australia's sovereign defence and space capabilities. A former Army soldier turned tech entrepreneur, he built & exited two landmark Australian technology businesses before becoming one of the country's most active startup investors and ecosystem drivers. Former Shark Tank Shark, co-founder and executive Chairman of TEN13.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
CHARLIE MCGILLIS
Founder & CEO, 2 Polaris & Beyond
Charlie is a U.S. Air Force veteran, aerospace executive, and founder of 2 Polaris & Beyond, specialising in national security space strategy. She serves as VP, Public Sector at The Provenance Chain Network, sits on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s TraCSS Independent Review Board, and mentors for the Creative Destruction Lab.
MAJOR GENERAL
Mick Ryan AM
HEADLINE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Major General Mick Ryan AM is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army with 35 years of service, including command of the 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan and a strategic role on the US Joint Staff in Washington DC. A Masters graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Distinguished Graduate of the US Marine Corps Command and Staff College, he is now Senior Fellow for Military Studies at the Lowy Institute, an adjunct fellow at CSIS, and the author of three books on modern warfare and strategy.
SPEAKER
Steen
Bisgaard
Founding Director of GaardTech
Steen Bisgaard is a former Australian Army officer and the founding director of GaardTech, a defence innovation company with manufacturing facilities across Australia, the UK, and the USA. GaardTech recently won the US Army's xTech Edge Strike Ground competition and is now a recognised commercial leader in combat robotics.
SPEAKER
Jamil
jaffer
Venture Partner, Paladin Capital Group
Jamil Jaffer is a Venture Partner at Paladin Capital Group, investing in cybersecurity and advanced technologies serving commercial and government markets. He brings extensive experience across venture capital, national security, cyber and US government, including senior roles at the White House, Department of Justice, Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Intelligence Committee. Jamil founded the National Security Institute and its Cyber & Tech Center at George Mason University and has advised high-growth cybersecurity companies through venture funding and public markets.
SPEAKER
John Thomas
Partner, Frontera Group
John Thomas is a Partner at Frontera Group and Washington-based government relations and political strategy adviser with nearly two decades of experience across US federal policy, Defence, emerging technology and national security. He previously served as Senior Policy Advisor at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and spent more than a decade on Capitol Hill, including as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to members of Congress. A former US Marine, John brings deep insight into the intersection of government, industry and national security, helping companies engage policymakers and position emerging technologies within the US Defence ecosystem.
SPEAKER
Peter hynd
Managing Partner, North Ridge Partners
Peter has more than 20 years of experience investing in, financing and advising emerging technology companies. His career spans investment banking, corporate finance, operational leadership and private investment across listed and private businesses.
Peter has worked closely with Australian technology companies, including Hypersonix Launch Systems, and brings deep experience in capital raising, investment strategy and commercial growth. His perspective connects private capital with the emerging technologies shaping Australia’s Defence and sovereign capability landscape.
SPEAKER
DR Catherine
BAIR
CEO Bair Trax
Cofounder/Dir Allied Industry Collaborative Network
Dr Catherine Bair is a global leader, strategist and scientist with more than 20 years of experience across Defence, science and technology, national security and innovation. She is Managing Director for Australia and Co-Founder and Director of the AUKUS Industry Collaborative Network, supporting industry engagement across AUKUS Pillar II.
Catherine served in the US Department of Defense as a GS-15 Chief of Science & Technology and US Lead for the Five Eyes S&T Working Group. She now supports Australian Defence innovation through roles including the Future of Space CRC, Defence Trailblazer and advisory work with Australian SMEs.
SPEAKER
HEather
RICHMAN
Founder of US Defence Investor Network
Heather Richman is founder of the US Defense Investor Network and has held senior roles across national security, technology, and investment, including at Stanford University and on Capitol Hill.
She co-chairs the AUKUS Defense Investors Network, representing over $400 billion in private capital across the US, UK, and Australia.
SPEAKER
Alex Leigh
Managing Director, Future Planet Capital
Alex Leigh is Managing Director at Future Planet Capital, leading investment across Defence, security and dual-use technologies. He brings more than 15 years of experience spanning venture capital, engineering, and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on backing deep-tech founders and technologies with national-security applications.
SPEAKER
MAX Quinlan-Ward
Investment Manager, Beaten ZOne Venture Partners
Max Quinlan-Ward is an Investment Manager at Beaten Zone Venture Partners, focused on early-stage companies building technologies for Defence and national security.
He brings experience across venture capital, private equity and corporate development, with sector expertise developed through boutique private equity firms focused on light industrial businesses.
Max has been instrumental in facilitating investments into BZVF1.
SPEAKER
JAMES
CHISWELL
Co-Founder & CEO of High Tor Capital
James spent 35 years in the British Army before concentrating in 2018 on emerging technology, advising companies such as Entrepreneur First, Palantir and Mind Foundry. He has strong links with Sweden, centred on Anglo-Swedish innovation and investment. He is passionate about the role technology plays in defending our values and is a co-founder of MissionLink UK, a network to connect the country’s leading technology founders with the defence and security communities.
SPEAKER
SAMUEL
BURRELL
Partner, Expeditions
Sam is a Partner at Expeditions, leading investments across AUKUS.
A former Royal Marines officer and current reservist, he brings over a decade of venture investing experience across Octopus Ventures, NKB Group, and the UK National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF). Sam holds an MBA from INSEAD.
Sam is the Founder of This Week In Dual Use.
SPEAKER
lincoln parker
Defence Innovation Leader
Lincoln Parker is a Defence innovation leader with 20 years of experience connecting Australian and US military technology ecosystems across research, industry, venture capital and allied Defence. Through the Defence Innovation Network's Venture Advisory Council, he helps move technologies from operational problems and university research into funded, fielded capability. His recent work in wartime Ukraine has focused on rapid technology iteration, drone warfare, electronic warfare and lessons for Western Defence acquisition. Lincoln has helped secure US Defence contracts, raise more than A$5 million in venture funding for DIN spinouts and attract over A$150 million in R&D funding.
SPEAKER
VU TRAN
CoFounder, Black Sky Industries
Vu Tran is a Queensland-based tech founder. A GP by trade, he co-founded Queensland-headquartered edtech unicorn Go1, and is now a co-founder of Black Sky Industries, building sovereign rocket motor and missile capability in Australia; OneMRI, delivering preventative health via full-body MRI; and Bloody Good Tests, providing on-demand private blood testing.
He is also on the boards of the Metro South Hospital Health Services, Starboard Maritime Intelligence and ASX Listed PeopleIn.
He mentors defence and deep tech startups through the UQ Momentum, UNSW Defence 10x and LuminaX accelerators.
SPEAKER
LUKE
SANDERS
Managing Director, Foxglove Defence
Luke Sanders is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Foxglove Defence, a platform that strengthens national security for Australia and its allies while generating investor value. Leveraging his experience leading cutting-edge capabilities in complex defense environments, he combines financial expertise with warfighting practitioners to deliver rapid innovation and outcomes at the edge.
SPEAKER
Dr MICHAEL
SMART
Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Hypersonix Launch Systems
A world leader in scramjet technology, Michael Smart spent 10 years as a Research Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center in the Scramjet Branch. Michael is the technology architect of the Wirraway satellite launch system and a recognised research field leader in aviation and aerospace engineering.
FIRESIDE CHAT SPEAKER
IAN
MURRAY AM
Rear Admiral (Rtd)
Rear Admiral Ian Murray AM (Retd) served 40 years in the Australian Defence Force, culminating as Chief of Joint Capabilities and Australian Defence Attaché to the United States. In Washington DC, he served on the frontline of AUKUS implementation and US export control reform, collaborating with Australian Defence Industry to grow access to US defence markets. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022.
FIRESIDE CHAT SPEAKER
BEN
DULLROY
Director, Bravo Delta
Ben is a leader with over 23 years of experience in business performance improvement, operational management, and strategic planning. Having developed his leadership foundation commanding soldiers early in his career, he excels at managing complex organizations & remains relentlessly focused on delivery—whether local or global.
SPEAKER
ROSS C.
MORRELL
Director, Innovation and Growth for CatalystCampus for Technology and Innovation
Ross leads growth efforts with startups, government and private capital to accelerate innovation velocity in support of our national security ecosystem. Ross is a retired Air Force cyber officer, co-founder of M2 Ventures & startup investor with over 25 years of experience leading mission critical operations within Department of Defense organizations
SPEAKER
Adam
Gilmour
CEO and Founder
Adam Gilmour is CEO and Co-founder of Gilmour Space Technologies, an Australian-owned company that is leading the development of sovereign space capabilities in launch vehicles, satellites, and access to space. Founded in Queensland, Gilmour Space is today the largest space manufacturer in Australia with over 280 employees, funding from some of Australia's biggest private investors, and contracts for launch and satellite systems from both commercial and defence customers.
SPEAKER
DR WILLIAM
CROWE
Cofounder and CEO, HEO
Dr William Crowe is the Co-Founder and CEO of HEO, a Sydney-based company providing commercial, non-Earth imaging services to help satellite operators and governments monitor space assets. He founded HEO in 2016 while completing his PhD in astrodynamics at the University of New South Wales, where his research focused on spacecraft swarms.
SPEAKER
AMIT
VERMA
Senior Manager, Listings for Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
Amit leads the development of ASX's domestic and international listings business while working closely with VC, Growth Equity, and PE funds. He is an Explorer at Airtree Ventures, a Founder Institute mentor, and holds degrees in Engineering and an MBA.
SPEAKER
Ken
Kroeger
Managing Partner, ACTivate Capital
Ken Kroeger is Managing Partner at ACTivate Capital, the ACT's first sector agnostic Early-Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership, launched in 2025 with $23 million in committed capital. He has spent more than 25 years building technology companies, including Catalyst Interactive (acquired by Halliburton/KBR) and Seeing Machines, which he grew to over 200 employees ahead of its London Stock Exchange listing. He is also Chairman of Epicorp.
SPEAKER
Alezeia “AB”
Brown
Principal, Main Sequence
Alezeia “AB” Brown is a principal investor at Main Sequence - a $1B deeptech VC - with a long background in product management, systems design and software engineering. AB spends most of her time with companies in defence/dual use, AIML, and decarbonising industry (materials, energy) categories, and loves to back founders who combine science/tech with market insight to build companies that will create a resilient and abundant society.
SPEAKER
Will
Scully-Power
General Partner, Pine Gap
Will Scully-Power is the General Partner at Pine Gap, a venture capital firm that invests in space technologies. It focuses on defence, intelligence and national security capabilities across the US, UK and Australia.
Will is the son of Australia's first NASA astronaut (Dr. Paul Scully-Power), flying aboard Space Shuttle Challenger STS 41-G.
SPEAKER
Marc
Cervantes
Founder & CEO, Q-Branch
Marcos Cervantes, Founder & CEO of Q-Branch, is an accomplished Army Officer with 23 years of experience specialising in technology development efforts.
Having excelled in leading cutting-edge projects during his military career, Marc possesses deep expertise in government research and development (R&D) procurement.
Currently raising a $76M fund that will support defense capabilities. During Marc’s time in the military, he managed a $2.1B government venture capital-like fund.
SPEAKER
Charles
Nuttal-smith
Director Investments - Defence, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation
Charles Nuttall-Smith is Director Investments - Defence at the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, bringing experience across investment, Defence, infrastructure and industry. He spent 12 years with Macquarie working across Australian, US and Canadian infrastructure markets before serving as a Royal Australian Navy Principal Warfare Officer and Force Warfare Officer. With operational experience at sea, Defence industry expertise and ongoing service as a Navy reservist, Charles brings a valuable perspective on capital, capability and the companies supporting the people who Defend Australia.
SPEAKER
Adam
Pate
Director, Henslow
Adam is an internationally experienced executive and corporate advisor. He has led businesses, teams and projects for unlisted, listed and international companies. Adam has previously worked for KPMG, AMP and private investment groups, and works across a breath of transactions in public and private markets. Adam is a senior member of Henslow’s Defence & Security team, advising clients on growth, capital raising and M&A.
SPEAKER
Robert
Castaneda
Founder & CEO, ServiceRocket
Rob Castaneda is the Founder and CEO of ServiceRocket, the global technology services company he founded in Sydney while studying at UTS in 2001. He has since built the business across Australia, the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia, working with major global software companies to drive technology adoption and business outcomes. A long-time Silicon Valley technology leader, Rob has been recognised among Australia's top entrepreneurs and named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40. In 2025, UTS appointed him a Fellow of the University for his contribution to technology, entrepreneurship, education and mentoring.
SPEAKER
Campbell
Newman
Chairman and Managing Director, Arcana Capital
Campbell Newman, AO is the Chairman of Arcana Capital, syndicating commercial property investment opportunities for sophisticated investors, a Director & adviser to a number of start-up technology companies and a regular commentator on News 24.
He previously held the role of Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 2004 to 2011 and Premier of Queensland from 2012 to 2015.
He also spent 13 years in the Australian Army and served as an officer in the Royal
SPEAKER
Alex
Ghiculescu
Co Founder, Tanda
Alex Ghiculescu co-founded Tanda in 2012. Fourteen years later, Tanda is the workforce management software behind more than 10,000 businesses across Australia. As CTO, Alex has spent over a decade solving one problem: how to take the complexity out of employing people. Alongside his role at Tanda, Alex is an investor with Beaten Zone Venture Partners, backing founders building Australia's sovereign defence capability. At Reveille 2026, he'll join the investor panel to share why he believes backing Australian defence tech matters now more than ever.
SPEAKER
Remy
Grangien
Chief Investment Officer, Dumm Capital
Remy is Chief Investment Officer at Dumm Capital, a single-family office focused on critical industries in Australia. Alongside direct investment, Dumm Capital connects emerging talent with emerging companies in these industries
SPEAKER
Harry Hubbert
Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Greenroom Robotics
Harry Hubbert is Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Greenroom Robotics, an Australian Defence technology company developing AI-enabled maritime autonomy and autonomous systems.
A naval architect and Australian Defence Force veteran, Harry brings experience across engineering, robotics, maritime operations and Defence capability development. His Royal Australian Navy career included roles aboard HMAS Adelaide and within Navy capability and warfare innovation.
Today, Harry works across Defence, government and industry to develop and deploy sovereign Australian maritime technology, strengthening autonomous capability across Australia and allied markets
SPEAKER
ROBIN LEVISON
Investment Committee Member, Beaten Zone Venture Partners
Robin Levison is an experienced investor and business leader with a career spanning capital markets, technology, corporate finance and ASX and NZX-listed company boards. His expertise includes capital raising, acquisitions, debt finance, audit and the full investment lifecycle.
His career has taken him from KPMG and Merrill Lynch to leading an ASX-listed technology company through a $700 million acquisition by General Electric. Robin is also an investor in BZVF1 and sits on the Beaten Zone Venture Partners Investment Committee, bringing both an investor and governance perspective to early-stage Defence, space and sovereign capability investments
SPEAKER
Shaun KenyoN
Co-Founder & CTO, Starbound Space Solutions
Shaun Kenyon is Co-Founder and CTO of Starbound Space Solutions, where he uses AI to capture expert knowledge and accelerate innovation, documentation and compliance in highly regulated industries.
With more than 20 years in the international space sector, Shaun has contributed to over 200 satellites now in orbit. His career includes senior roles at Gilmour Space, Spire Global and Surrey Satellites. He was Program Manager and Chief Architect for Australian Space Command's first technology demonstrator mission and System Engineer for the Office of National Intelligence's NICSAT-1 mission. Shaun also led development of STRaND-1, the world's first phone-powered satellite.
SPEAKER
Sean Singleton
US Venture Partner, Beaten Zone Venture Partners
Sean Singleton is US Venture Partner at Beaten Zone Venture Partners, bringing more than 20 years of experience across Aerospace and Defence, finance, technology and emerging markets. A US Air Force Academy graduate, former Air Force Officer and Special Agent, Sean has worked across corporate finance, Defence technology and high-growth businesses, including Fortune 200 companies. His experience spans advanced Aerospace and Defence technologies, telecommunications and next-generation energy, alongside international liaison work at senior levels of the US Government. At BZV, Sean connects Australian Defence technology founders with US capital, industry, government and market opportunities.
SPEAKER
Kevin
Keaton
Founding Partner, Chief Information Security Officer & Chief Information Officer, Red Cell Partners
Kevin Keaton is a Founding Partner, Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Information Officer at Red Cell Partners, a US investment and incubation firm building and backing technology companies across national security, cyber and critical infrastructure. He brings deep experience across technology, cybersecurity, investment and company building, working at the intersection of private capital and US national security. At Red Cell, Kevin helps identify, build and scale technologies addressing complex Defence and security challenges, bringing both an investor and operator perspective to the Defence technology ecosystem.
SPEAKER
Julian
Peck
Head of Investment Banking, Australia & New Zealand, J.P. Morgan
Julian Peck is Head of Investment Banking for Australia and New Zealand at J.P. Morgan, bringing extensive experience across investment banking, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and corporate strategy. He has advised major Australian and international companies on complex transactions, capital raising and strategic growth. Julian brings a senior institutional capital perspective to REVEILLE, connecting the Defence and technology ecosystem with the investment structures, markets and capital required to build and scale significant Australian companies.
SPEAKER
ALISTER
COLEMAN
Managing Partner, Folklore
Alister is the founder and Managing Partner at Folklore Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm investing in AI and defence technology companies, including Arkeus and Visionary Machines. Folklore is a seed-stage firm, a 'first cheque to forever' partner that invests in the most ambitious Australian and New Zealand founders right from the start. Alister's experience spans 20 years as a founder and an investor into technology companies, with software at their core.
SPEAKER
Brendan
Conaway
Chief Operations Officer
Brendan Conaway is COO at Longshot Space Technologies Corporation, where he has spent more than five years helping build the company from the ground up. He joined as Operations Manager in 2021 and stepped into the COO role in 2023, overseeing day to day administrative functions, contributing to business strategy, and pursuing funding across both public and private channels. Brendan holds a BA in History from Santa Clara University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and is completing an MBA at the university's Leavey School of Business with a focus on corporate strategy and strategic planning.
04
ORDER OF OPERATIONS
PILLAR 01
KEYNOTES AUKUS alignment, sovereign capability, emerging technologies ready for adoption.
PILLAR 02
Panels Investment pipelines, early-stage Defence funding, risk frameworks for founders.
PILLAR 03
BReakout Sessions & INVESTMENT ROOMS INVESTMENT READINESS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.
PROGRAM REVEILLE 2026, 09, 09, 2026
SOFITEL, GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
Who backed Australian defence before it was easy, and why
Standing up a US presence — the playbook for going from AU to allied ground and ecosystem players.
Stories from the front line. Founders who built, broke things and scaled anyway.
Leading US investors in backing the next generation of allied defence tech
UK and EU capital making the case for defence investment
Founders who scaled and exited, and the acquirers who made it happen
Why space is the next defence frontier
Investing in the companies building Australia's space defence edge
WAKE THE INNOVATORS
•
READY THE NATION
•
WAKE THE INNOVATORS • READY THE NATION •
05 SECURE YOUR SPOT
Register for
Reveille 2026
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
INVESTORS + FOUNDERS + INDUSTRY
General Admission
$950
A general admission pass for founders, investors, innovation enthusiasts looking to engage the future of Australian defence technology.
Inclusions:
- Exhibitors Lounge Access
- Keynotes & panel discussions
- Post Conference Networking Drinks
Open to Investors, Founders, Government, Industry, Ecosystem Partners and ADF/DOD
INVESTORS + FOUNDERS + INDUSTRY
General Admission+ Investor Breakfast
$1150
Full access to the Reveille 2026 program, connecting you with the people shaping early-stage defence innovation across Australia and beyond.
Inclusions:
- 1 BONUS Breakfast Panel
- Exhibitors Lounge Access
- Keynotes & panel discussions
- Post Conference Networking Drinks
This ticket also includes an exclusive investor breakfast, giving you access to an intimate morning session where you can connect with investors from across the ecosystem before the day begins.
STARTUPS
Early Bird
Startup Showcase
SOLD OUT
$1150 $1350
Founders only. Limited spots available and application required.
Express interest via EOI.
General Entry payable on submission
If selected, exhibition balance invoiced separately.
Full inclusions TBC
06 WAITLIST ONLY
The VIP INVESTOR EXPERIENCE
SOUND THE CALL AND WIN A VIP NFL EXPERIENCE
We're giving away one AUD $3,000 NFL VIP Experience package to a lucky REVEILLE 2026 early bird ticket holder.
Here's what's included:
VIP transfer flight from the Gold Coast to Melbourne
Dinner with International Investors, Defence dignitaries and VIPs in Melbourne
Access to Australia's first-ever NFL game in the VIP Hospitality Package Reserved Section.
Accommodation in Melbourne
All you need to do is buy your REVEILLE 2026 ticket before Friday 21 August. One ticket. One draw. One extraordinary experience.
REVEILLE 2026 is Australia's first Defence Investment Conference, 9 September, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach.
US, UK and EU Defence investors are flying in. The room is filling up. And one early bird ticket holder is getting a lot more than a seat.
Ready the Nation. Back the Mission.
COMPETITION ENDED WITH EARLYBIRD
T&C's Apply. Early bird closes Friday 21 August. Don't wait. It is only for early-bird tickets. So we will need to close them off on Friday 21 August. 
REaDY THE NATION.
Back the Mission.
Partners & Supporters
08
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
