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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Pentagon Woos Tech Startups

Venture capital firms play matchmaker in Defense search for new technologies

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(Newser) – Infant tech companies are fast becoming a tributary in the pipeline between the Pentagon and big contractors, the Times reports. And in a new, official initiative, Defense is tasking venture capitalists to harvest ideas and technologies from the fast-moving tech startups they monitor, and small companies are winning coveted contracts.

Or, at least channeling ideas to giants like Raytheon, who are still in the loop. One venture team culled suggestions that led to 15 new military and intelligence technologies; its boss recalls a meeting with former Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld. "I can't show you what's in this folder," Rummy told him, "but you solved some problems for us."

A short-range missile launch by the U.S. Navy
A short-range missile launch by the U.S. Navy   (Associated Press)
Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing On U.S. Army Defense Request
Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing On U.S. Army Defense Request   (Getty Images)
British soldiers use a robot bomb defuser to inspect the site...
British soldiers use a robot bomb defuser to inspect the site...   (Getty Images (by Event))
In this image released by the US Department of Defence, Defense...
In this image released by the US Department of Defence, Defense...   (Getty Images)
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