Mike Brown Archives

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III swears in Defense Innovation Unit Director Douglas Beck in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 5, 2023. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)

Doug Beck hints at strategic shifts that DIU’s ‘next phase’ has in store

The Defense Innovation Unit’s new director spotlighted his team’s big plans to help the Pentagon “drive disruption at scale."

Jul 20, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

April 5, 2022 NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland – Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, participating in the Future of Naval Innovation panel at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Anderson)

Former DIU chief Mike Brown urges approval of $1B defense ‘hedge’ fund, more testing of commercial tech on Ukraine’s battlefields

The House Appropriations Committee is recommending investing slightly more than $1 billion to “begin deliberately fielding a hedge portfolio” of capabilities from nontraditional sources within one to…

Jun 29, 2023 By Jon Harper

Mike Madsen prepares to depart an elevated DIU

Madsen briefed DefenseScoop on what his future might hold — and the direction he hopes to see the Defense Innovation Unit move in as it continues to…

May 19, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

DIU recruits Apple’s Doug Beck as new director

Beck joined Apple in 2009 and most recently has reported directly to CEO Tim Cook in his VP role overseeing the company's government, health and education markets.

Apr 4, 2023 By Billy Mitchell

Aerial view of Silicon Valley at dusk, with a portion of the San Mateo/Hayward Bridge visible. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).

Forging the defense industrial base for the digital age

Former US Deputy CTO Nick Sinai argues the Pentagon must embrace Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial culture and work to ensure the latest technology reaches the battlefield.

Dec 1, 2022 By nick-sinai

Mike Madsen, DIU, DOD — Mike Madsen speaks June 5, 2019, at FedTalks in Washington, D.C. (FedScoop)

Mike Madsen to take helm as acting director of Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit

Madsen, who currently serves as DIU’s deputy director and director of strategic engagement, will take over temporarily when Mike Brown officially exits on Sept. 2.

Aug 29, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, participating in the Future of Naval Innovation panel at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Anderson)

Pentagon’s departing DIU director reflects on his legacy — and what’s next

Mike Brown briefed FedScoop on some of what defined his service at DIU — the great, and the not-so-good parts — and also shared new details about…

Jul 21, 2022 By Brandi Vincent

Exiting DIU director urges Pentagon to refresh how it adopts commercial tech for future wars

The Defense Innovation Unit has enabled a number of technologies that are now being put to use in Ukraine.

Jul 14, 2022 By Brandi Vincent