National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Innovation for Defense at W&M

Innovation for Defense

Where students tackle real-world national security challenges

Why This Course Matters

Innovation is critical to addressing today’s most urgent threats — from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to climate resilience and global health. Traditional practices in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) often slow down innovation. This course gives you the chance to break through that barrier. Working directly with DoD and IC partners, you’ll help create policy and prototype solutions in weeks — not years.

Relevant for Any Major

This is not just a government course. No matter your field, the skills you gain will strengthen your academic path and career:

• Government & IR → understand how national security challenges are solved in practice.
• Business & Entrepreneurship → apply Lean LaunchPad to create solutions under real constraints.
• STEM & Data Science → design and test prototypes that align with mission needs.
• Environmental & Health Studies → explore how emerging threats extend into your domain.
  Wherever you’re headed, this course connects your expertise to real-world impact.

What you will do

In small, applied teams, you will:

• Tackle a problem assigned by DoD/IC sponsors.
• Interview ~10 “customers” per week — from military officers to end-users.
• Rapidly iterate using the Lean LaunchPad methodology.
• Deliver a minimum viable product (MVP) aligned to real mission needs.
• Present your results in-class each week, culminating in an 8–10 minute final presentation, a 2-minute video summary, and a Pitch Sheet for your sponsor.

This is not about business plans or venture capital. It’s about evidence-based entrepreneurship, agile development, and prototyping that matters.

Course Expectations

This is an intensive, team-based class with limited enrollment (application required). We hold high expectations because the problems you’ll tackle are real, and your sponsors are counting on you.

• Application & Enrollment: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 is required. Enrollment is by application only.
• Time Commitment: Expect to dedicate 10–15 hours per week outside of class to team meetings, customer interviews, and project work.
• Attendance: You cannot miss the first class without prior approval. For any other class, notify the TA and your teammates ahead of time via email.
• Teamwork & Responsibility: If you find you cannot continue to commit the required time, you must immediately notify your team members and the teaching team, and withdraw from the class.
• Startup Culture:The course simulates a high-tempo, startup-like environment where urgency, clarity, and accountability matter.
• Engagement in Class: Stay attentive during presentations and give feedback to peers. Distractions or lack of participation may result in being asked to leave.

These expectations reflect the reality of solving national security challenges: discipline, respect, and commitment are non-negotiable.