Building A Company For The Future And Redefining Maritime Superiority

Dino Mavrookas is the co-founder and CEO of Saronic Technologies. Saronic is building unmanned surface vehicles for maritime security and domain awareness.

In an interview with Ernestine Fu Mak, Mavrookas discusses the challenges and opportunities in building a venture-backed defense startup, securing government contracts, and navigating the shifting landscape of modern warfare. He highlights how Saronic is rapidly scaling autonomous maritime capabilities, leveraging AI, and reimagining naval power to maintain U.S. military superiority. With deep insights into venture capital, defense procurement, and the urgency of deterring near-peer adversaries, this conversation is a must-listen for innovators, investors, and policymakers shaping the future of national security.

Joe Felter and Steve Blank also provide special remarks.

Key Takeaways

• From SEAL to CEO

  Mavrookas’s military experience shaped his drive to innovate in the defense sector, leading to the rapid growth of Saronic Technologies.

• Building a Defense Startup

  Early lobbying, customer validation, and strong investor backing were critical in securing government contracts and raising significant rounds of financing.

• Autonomy at Scale

  The future of naval warfare depends on cost-effective, AI-enabled autonomous systems that complement traditional shipbuilding.

• Government & Industry Collaboration

  Effective partnerships with the DoD require early engagement, understanding mission needs, and aligning with national security priorities.

• The Next Generation of Defense Primes

  Saronic and similar companies are poised to disrupt legacy defense contractors by taking a software-first approach to military innovation.