Even mid-sprint to a secret flight, the Navy’s tech chief has a pitch for investors
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What's this about?
Navy CTO Justin Fanelli talks co-investing alongside VCs instead of funding early research himself, recent buys like a $562 million autonomous refueling deal, and the Navy's updated wish list — from AI to quantum — for where founders should be building next.
The one-panel cartoon
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A crowded naval conference room with a presentation screen displaying 'Navy's Tech Wish List,' where a suited Navy CTO Justin Fanelli gestures enthusiastically while investors in suits and tech founders look on with varying degrees of skepticism.
Caption: 'Investors, let's fund the future of the Navy — and profit from it.'
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on techcrunch.com.
Editor's note
Justin Fanelli's insights into the Navy's tech investments highlight the growing role of private sector funding and the critical path for innovation across military and civilian sectors. His updated wish list for technology startups underscores the Navy's commitment to staying at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development.
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Panel 1
*Setting: A bustling airport lounge. Alex, the optimistic inventor, is enthusiastically pitching a prototype drone to Sam, the deadpan pragmatist, while Robin, the chaos catalyst, reads a magazine upside down on a nearby couch.* *Alex:*
Alex: Imagine, Sam! Justin Fanelli is looking for innovative tech for the Navy’s future projects. Our drone could be the next big thing!
Panel 2
*Alex holds up a small drone, demonstrating its capabilities. Sam looks unimpressed and slightly annoyed. Robin looks up from her magazine, intrigued.* *Sam:* *Robin:*
Sam: Yeah, but can it refuel itself autonomously for $562 million?
Robin: Ooh, sounds fancy. What's it do?
Panel 3
*Alex, now beaming, points to the drone and winks at Robin.* *Alex:* *Robin:* *Sam:*
Alex: It can do a lot! It's a prototype for the future. Imagine it patrolling Navy ships, helping with AI and quantum computing too!
Robin: Wow, that’s like... a flying pig!
Sam: Let’s see the specs first. Flying pigs are overrated.
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