Last Call - Silicon Oasis Pitch Night: Defense & Aerospace

In U.S. defense and aerospace, the center of gravity is shifting from “cool demo” to deployable scale . The Pentagon’s newest bet—voice-directed, autonomous drone swarms—signals a broader reality: AI is no longer an add-on; it’s becoming the operating layer for modern defense systems. Arizona is positioned to ride that wave. The state’s aerospace and defense footprint is already sizable—62,454 direct jobs and a $ 29.5B economic impact , backed by deep military presence and steady DoD spend. Over the last five years alone, Arizona reports 60 + expansions in the sector, bringing $ 2.8B + in investment and 12,500 + jobs , supported by a supply chain of 1,250 + A&D companies . Now the focus is execution: manufacturing capacity, faster delivery, and dual-use technologies that can win commercially and serve national security. Raytheon’s ramp-up in Tucson—boosting annual production across multiple missile programs—is a clear example of that “industrial base” push showing up locally. That’s the backdrop for Silicon Oasis Pitch Night: Defense & Aerospace Edition ( Feb 25 , Phoenix)—a spotlight on startups building mission-driven, dual-use tech, with 5–7 minute pitches , live investor Q&A, and a room full of founders, operators, and capital. This is your chance to hear live pitches plus connect with ecosystem leaders. You don’t want to miss! 📅 When: February 25 📍 Where: 101 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 Secure your spot now 👉 Luma Silicon Oasis Pitch Night: Defense and Aerospace Editio n