Dan Magy, Co-Founder of Firestorm Labs: $60 Million Raised to Power the Future of Drone Warfare

Dan Magy

Co-Founder & CEO

Bio

Dan Magy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Firestorm Labs, a company focused on developing cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the defense industry. Dan is an experienced entrepreneur with a background in defense technology, having previously co-founded Citadel Defense, a leader in counter-drone systems. His expertise spans across autonomous systems, defense innovation, and scaling tech startups.

Dan Magy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Firestorm Labs, a company focused on developing…

Company:

Firestorm

Location:

San Diego, California, United States

Description:

Firestorm Labs specializes in the development of modular and low-cost military drones, designed to meet the growing demand for adaptable and scalable UAS solutions. With a focus on rapid manufacturing, including 3D printing technology, Firestorm provides drones and other equipment for military applications such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, and electronic warfare. The company recently raised $12.5 million in seed funding led by Lockheed Martin Ventures, enabling further innovation in battlefield-ready drone technology.

Firestorm Labs specializes in the development of modular and low-cost military drones, designed to meet…

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Actionable
Takeaways

Find a Specific Niche with Government:

In defense tech, niche products that solve urgent needs, such as counter-drone systems, can be a gateway into broader government contracts and programs of record.

Show, Don’t Tell in Defense Sales:

When working with government agencies, having a working prototype or demo is critical. Decision-makers are more willing to invest once they see tangible proof.

Leverage Global Tensions in Your Go-to-Market Strategy:

Firestorm Labs capitalized on geopolitical shifts like the war in Ukraine and rising tensions with China to build urgency and relevance around their product offerings.

Harness Venture Capital Before Government Funding:

Startups in defense tech should secure VC funding to drive initial product development and reduce reliance on slower government funding cycles.

Utilize Lobbying as a GTM Strategy:

In defense, having a dedicated lobbyist can be a highly effective way to navigate procurement hurdles and expedite the path to winning government contracts.

Conversation
Highlights

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Dan Magy, Co-Founder of Firestorm Labs, a defense tech company that’s raised over $40 Million in funding.

Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:

From Stadiums to Battlefields: Dan’s first company started with counter-drone technology for sports stadiums but quickly pivoted to defense applications when naval special warfare recognized its potential for use in combat zones.
Program of Record – The Holy Grail in Defense: Dan describes a “program of record” as the closest thing to recurring revenue in the defense sector, which solidifies a company’s long-term relationship with the government.
Shifting Attitudes in Silicon Valley Toward Defense: Silicon Valley’s involvement in defense has seen a resurgence, driven by global events such as China’s aggressive posturing and the war in Ukraine.
The Rise of Drone Warfare: Dan explains how the war in Ukraine is shaping the future of warfare, where drones are used in massive numbers, causing unprecedented destruction and high casualty rates.
Defense Tech Startups on the Rise: The defense tech sector has evolved through multiple generations of startups, and Dan believes the current Gen 2 phase has accelerated due to global conflicts and changing defense priorities.
Scaling Defense Tech Through Manufacturing Innovation: Firestorm Labs is focusing on modular, cost-effective, and easily deployable manufacturing systems that can create drones in conflict zones, reducing production lead times and costs.