In today’s episode, Garrett Smith, CEO of Reveal Technologies, discussed his journey from the Marine Corps to founding a defense tech startup in Bozeman, Montana. Garrett, a linguistics graduate with a background in Mandarin, transitioned from government service to Silicon Valley, where he focused on drone technology. Reveal Technologies developed Farsight, a software that creates 3D maps from drone video in real-time, enhancing situational awareness for warfighters.
Here’s a closer look at the episode:
- Garrett Smith's Background and Early Life
- Enlistment in the Marine Corps post-9/11 and his decision to pursue higher education at Stanford University.
- Garrett explains his undergraduate degree in linguistics with an emphasis on Mandarin, which he learned while serving as a Mormon missionary in Taiwan.
- Transition to Silicon Valley and Early Career
- Garrett discusses the decision to leave government for the tech startup world, influenced by the potential for greater impact and ownership in tech startups.
- Inspiration for Reveal Technologies
- Garrett explains the concept of photogrammetry and how Reveal Technologies' software, Farsight, uses it to create 3D maps from drone video in real-time.
- Future of Defense Technology and Reveal's Vision
- Garrett reflects on the broader implications of defense technology innovation, drawing parallels to the Cold War era and the current geopolitical landscape.
- Community Building and Future of Tech Hubs
- Les and Garrett discuss the future of defense technology and the potential for Reveal Technologies to continue innovating in the space.
Resources:
Website: https://www.revealtech.ai/
Garrett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgarrettsmith/
Reveal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reveal-technology/posts/?feedView=all
