Defense Tech and Physical AI Take Center Stage as StrictlyVC Heads to Los Angeles
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The Pivot Toward Hard Tech in Southern California
The center of gravity for venture capital is shifting. While the last decade was defined by the scalability of SaaS and the ubiquity of the app economy, the current era is increasingly focused on the ‘physical’—the intersection of software, heavy manufacturing, and national security. This trend will be the focal point of StrictlyVC Los Angeles 2026, scheduled for Thursday, June 18, at The Aerospace Corporation Campus in El Segundo.
The choice of venue is telling. El Segundo, often referred to as the ‘Aerospace Capital’ of the U.S., has become a crucible for a new breed of defense startups that operate more like Silicon Valley unicorns than traditional government contractors. By hosting the event at The Aerospace Corporation, StrictlyVC is placing its attendees directly in the heart of the burgeoning defense-tech corridor, where autonomy and aerospace engineering are merging.
Redefining Defense Innovation with Mach Industries
The event kicks off with a session led by Ethan Thornton, founder of Mach Industries. In a presentation titled “Built for a New Era of Defense Technology,” Thornton is expected to dissect the friction points of building ‘hard tech’ at venture speed. Traditionally, the defense industry has been characterized by glacial procurement cycles and rigid bureaucratic hurdles.
However, Thornton represents a shift toward a more agile model. His discussion will likely center on how autonomy and additive manufacturing are allowing startups to iterate on hardware with the same velocity that software engineers once did with code. As national security becomes increasingly tied to the ability to deploy autonomous systems rapidly, the structural shift in how the Pentagon engages with private capital is becoming a critical narrative for investors.
The Leap from Digital AI to Physical AI
Beyond defense, the summit will address the next major frontier in artificial intelligence: the move from Large Language Models (LLMs) to systems that can interact with and manipulate the physical world. This transition, often termed “Physical AI,” will be explored through a conversation between Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund and Saif Khawaja of Shinkei Systems.
For years, AI has lived primarily behind screens, optimizing workflows or generating text. The focus is now shifting toward robotics and automation that can operate in unstructured environments. Asparouhov, representing one of the most influential firms in the frontier tech space, will likely provide insight into the capital requirements and risk profiles associated with scaling these technologies. Moving a breakthrough from a lab concept to a real-world deployment at scale requires a level of operational grit and capital intensity that differs fundamentally from the lean startup methodology of the 2010s.
The Networking Dynamics of High-Signal Events
While the stage presentations provide the framework, the primary value of the StrictlyVC series has always been the high-density networking it facilitates. In an era of digital noise and generic AI-generated outreach, the demand for “high-signal” environments—where founders and limited partners (LPs) can engage in unrecorded, direct conversations—has surged.
The Los Angeles event is designed to function as an incubator for these relationships, specifically targeting executives and investors navigating a volatile market. As more capital flows into sectors like robotics, energy, and space, the proximity to leaders who are actually managing the supply chain and regulatory hurdles of hard tech is becoming a competitive advantage.
Further speakers and specific agenda details are expected to be released in the coming weeks as the event draws closer. For those operating at the intersection of venture capital and emerging technology, the June 18 gathering represents a strategic touchpoint in the evolving SoCal tech ecosystem.
