Three weeks. That is all that remains before the venture capital community descends on El Segundo for StrictlyVC Los Angeles.

This isn't another generic networking mixer. It is a targeted gathering designed for those building at the intersection of capital and frontier technology. On June 18, the Aerospace Corporation Campus will host a series of conversations focused on the sectors currently defining the market: defense, autonomy, and physical AI.

Why Defense is the New Frontier

The event opens with a clear signal of where the money is moving. Ethan Thornton, founder of Mach Industries, will take the stage to discuss the structural shift in defense technology.

Building a hard tech company at speed is difficult. Doing it in the defense sector is harder. Thornton’s session, “Built for a New Era of Defense Technology,” will address why autonomy and national security are no longer separate conversations. They are now the same thing. The industry is moving fast. It is a departure from the slow-moving cycles of the past.

The Reality of Physical AI

Software is no longer enough. The next wave of venture capital is betting on the physical world.

Following the defense discussion, Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund and Saif Khawaja of Shinkei Systems will break down the mechanics of physical AI. This is the core challenge of the decade. How do you move a breakthrough from a lab concept to real-world deployment at scale?

It is a question of robotics. It is a question of automation. It is a question of capital efficiency. These two will pull back the curtain on how they evaluate the transition from code to hardware.

Access Over Hype

The value of an event like this is rarely found on the stage. It is found in the room.

StrictlyVC has built its reputation on proximity. The goal is to facilitate conversations that usually stay behind closed doors. For founders and investors navigating an increasingly complex market, this access is the primary draw.

Expect more speaker announcements in the coming days. The agenda is still hardening.

Key Takeaways

  • Defense is accelerating: The integration of autonomy and manufacturing is creating a new, high-speed category for venture investment.
  • Hardware is the new software: The focus is shifting from pure digital models to the deployment of AI in the physical world.
  • Access is the product: The event prioritizes high-signal, intimate conversations over large-scale, low-value networking.

What This Means for Founders

If you are building in the hard tech space, the message is clear. The market is moving toward tangible, defensible assets. Investors are no longer looking for the next SaaS play. They are looking for companies that can navigate the complexities of hardware and national security.

June 18 is the deadline to get in the room. The conversations happening in El Segundo will likely set the tone for the rest of the year. Watch the attendee list. Watch the stage. The shift is happening now.