Hey Startups, Meet Your New Neighbor— The Pentagon

The Pentagon is making good on its promises to invest further in developing technology by opening its first office in the startup capital of the world, Silicon Valley. Recent concerns that other nations like China are beginning to surpass the US in terms of technological capabilities has prompted the US to focus more on innovation by looking to commercial technology firms. Cybersecurity In Focus One of the main reasons the government is looking to up its presence in the tech space is the growing threat of cybercrime. On Thursday Defense Secretary Ash Carter is set to speak at Stanford University discuss cyberwarfare. Carter is also scheduled to meet with some of Silicon Valley's finest during the three day trip, including Facebook Inc. FB. New Bids Beyond cybersecurity, the US Defense Department is hoping to increase its data mining, robotics and 3-D printing capabilities by attracting talented firms that haven't bid on government contracts before. However, the department is likely to face some resistance from Silicon Valley as many startups are wary of dealing with the government due to bureaucracy issues and the potential for funding cuts. Easing Concerns In an effort to alleviate firms' worries about working around the government's red tape, the Pentagon's leaders have promised to cut down on regulations regarding intellectual property rights and work with firms to reduce bureaucratic headaches. Additionally, the Defense Department is expected to create its own funding vehicle to invest in tech startups in order to become a more visible part of Silicon Valley.