/ About this event
Join leading venture capital investors, founders, government leaders, and aerospace executives during LA Tech Week for an evening exploring the future of defense technology, commercial space, and national security innovation.
The evening will feature a panel discussion followed by a networking reception with an open bar and light bites. The conversation will explore SoCal as a global hub for next-generation space and defense companies, the importance of public-private partnerships, and emerging opportunities across aerospace, defense, AI, communications, and national security.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com
Featured Speakers
- Dan Goldin, 9th and longest-tenured NASA administrator - Stephen Cheung, President of Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation - George Whitesides, U.S. Representative for California's 27th District; former NASA Chief of Staff and former CEO of Virgin Galactic - Richard Cook; Associate Director, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Speaker Bios:
Dan Goldin served as the 9th and longest tenured NASA administrator, serving under three different U.S. Presidents. He is also and entrepreneur and founder of an advisory firm and his career has spanned numerous technologies and businesses in space science, aeronautics, national security, semiconductors and AI.
Stephen Cheung is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) with a mission to reinvent the regional economy.
Congressman George Whitesides in the representative of the 27th District and serves on the Science, Space and Technology Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. He was previously the Chief of Staff of NASA and the CEO of Virgin Galactic.
Richard Cook is Associate Lab Director for Strategic Integration and Director for Strategy & Formulation at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Over more than three decades at JPL, he has held senior leadership roles across NASA’s Mars exploration programs, including Mars Sample Return, the Curiosity rover, Mars Exploration Rovers, and Mars Pathfinder. His career has spanned mission strategy, development, operations, and execution of some of NASA’s most significant planetary exploration programs.
----------- About the Sponsors:
Reitler is a top-ranked venture capital law firm with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Princeton. Reitler is consistently ranked as a Top 10 venture capital law firm by Pitchbook and has been recognized by Chambers as a global leader in its Startups & Emerging Companies category. With thousands of venture financings completed since our founding, we bring deep experience and practical insight to help our clients achieve their goals efficiently.
Deel is the global payroll and HR platform trusted by thousands of ambitious companies scaling across borders. From day one through rapid growth, Deel simplifies hiring, payroll, compliance, and benefits across 150+ countries—empowering founders to build world-class teams without the operational friction. Get 20% off Deel services for new customers here: https://www.deel.com/partners/reitler/
Citizens Private Bank provides an extraordinary caliber of service that goes beyond and above with a commitment to redefining excellence and continuously striving for more. Backed by the strength and stability of Citizens, one of the country’s oldest and largest financial institutions, Citizens Private Bank delivers holistic banking and wealth management solutions tailored to our clients’ unique financial ambitions. Our Private Bankers serve as a single point of contact and relentlessly go the extra mile to help clients preserve and grow wealth with bespoke financial solutions and advice. Supported by a team of banking and wealth management experts, our Private Bankers stand ready to anticipate our clients’ needs and to help build their wealth, now and for generations to come.
