Geopolitical tensions are rising, and technological competition is intensifying. eMerge National Security is where mission-ready innovation meets the leaders shaping America’s defense & security edge.
This April 21-24 in Miami, eMerge Americas delivers a powerful week of events that turns veteran talent and leadership into national advantage. At the center are two new flagship summits: the Veteran Workforce Summit (April 23) and the Veteran Innovation Summit (April 24). Together, they bridge transitioning veterans and veteran entrepreneurs with top employers, investors, and innovators – directly fueling dual-use workforce development and commercialization at scale.
Veteran Workforce Summit
April 23 | Miami Beach Convention Center
Transitioning veterans connect directly with top tech employers in high-demand fields like AI, quantum, and cybersecurity. Expert panels cover transition preparedness, career navigation, talent acquisition, and retention. A dedicated hiring fair enables direct connections, informal interviews, and immediate opportunities. Plus awards eMerge AI + Quantum Masterclasses Scholarships (hands-on sessions with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and others) and Mandatum Foundation Industry Immersion Fellowships.
Veteran Innovation Summit
April 24 | Miami Beach Convention Center
Empowers veteran entrepreneurs building dual-use technologies in critical tech, AI, quantum, and beyond. Panels focus on venture scaling, fundraising, and ecosystem navigation, followed by an investor meet-and-greet designed to accelerate investments and contracts. Awards eMerge AI + Quantum MasterClasses Scholarships and eMerge CCT/Defense Accelerator Fellowships focused on rapid commercialization and growth.
Premier National Security & Veteran Innovation Week
These summits sit inside a broader high-impact week that also includes:
NATSEC Demo Day
- Date: April 21, 2026
- Location: PortMiami
- Audience: 400+ National Security Stakeholders – Vetted leaders from DoW, DHS, DoJ, federal/state/local government, public safety, investors, industry, and academia
- Description: Exclusive air, land & sea demonstrations, secure briefings, and high-value networking – connecting mission-ready dual-use technologies aligned with DoW Critical Technology Areas accelerating decision superiority, operational resilience, and defense dominance.
Spookstock
- Date: April 22, 2026
- Location: Fillmore Miami Beach
- Description: Clandestine, invite-only concert benefiting families of fallen intelligence and special operations warriors.
eMerge Americas Conference + Expo
- Date: April 23-24, 2026
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
- Scope: 25K+ attendees, 60+ countries, 1K+ investors, 76% senior executives.
- Verticals: National Security, AI & Quantum, HealthTech, FinTech
- Audience: Senior leaders from government, defense, public safety, industry, capital, academia, and innovators
- National Security Programming: (Agenda)
- NatSec Pavilion + NatSec Stage + Veteran Alley
- Keynotes from Secretary and Commanding-General-level leaders
- Army xTech Pitch Competition – $600K in cash prizes
- Operation Scalpel – Hackathon by Army Application Lab, AWS, University of South Florida (USF) and their university consortium
- Thought leadership panels on mission-critical topics
- Workshops on gov. contracting & talent acquisition
- Curated VIP experiences + premier networking
Veterans: The Ultimate Builders
They bring unmatched mission focus, resilience, discipline, and leadership honed in high-stakes environments – exactly what both the workforce and tech innovation demand. Whether entering high-growth roles in AI, quantum, and cybersecurity or launching dual-use startups, veterans deliver operational excellence that translates directly into national advantage.
Yet barriers persist: outdated hiring practices drive 40%+ first-year turnover, skill translation gaps remain, capital access is fragmented, and ecosystems feel scattered. America’s 17 million veterans – including 2.5 million business owners generating over $1 trillion in annual revenue and employing over 5 million Americans – represent an underutilized powerhouse. Post-9/11 veterans face 5.8% unemployment, yet they stand ready to close critical gaps.
National Priorities Demand Action
The 2026 National Security Strategy and FY2026 defense budget of $989 billion (with calls for $1.5 trillion in FY2027) demand rapid capability adoption in Applied AI, Quantum, Hypersonics, and contested logistics. Skilled roles in these areas are projected to grow 30%+ by 2030. Private capital is responding, $19 billion flowed into defense tech startups nationally in 2025, nearly double the prior year. Workforce shortages in these Critical Technology Areas threaten both defense dominance and commercial competitiveness.
eMerge Americas Ties It All Together
Florida’s unmatched ecosystem – three Combatant Commands, $115B+ annual defense output, 20+ military installations, 1.4M veterans, and 60% of global space launches – makes this possible. Miami metro alone attracted $2.02 billion in venture capital in the first half of 2025, with defense and dual-use sectors leading the surge and drawing significant new investment into startups and scale-ups. eMerge’s proven track record ($2.6B+ economic impact, $3B+ capital raised by alumni, 10K+ jobs created) amplifies every connection.
Through its Veteran & National Security Innovation Program, eMerge transforms military expertise into scalable solutions, strengthening both our economy and national resilience. The Veteran Workforce Summit closes talent gaps for employers while giving veterans practical tools and direct access to high-growth roles. The Veteran Innovation Summit unlocks capital and contracts for veteran founders, turning operational grit into scalable dual-use companies.
Both summits embody dual-use excellence, advancing peace through strength while driving commercial growth.
This is more than workforce development, it’s national security innovation in action.
Join us in forging national security through dual-use innovation and veteran leadership.
Peace Through Strength. Strength Through Innovation.
Come Build With Us 🇺🇸
Register Today
Secure your spot at eMerge Americas to attend the Veteran Workforce Summit and Veteran Innovation Summit:
https://emergeamericas.com/register
As eMerge Americas continues to evolve, we’re more committed than ever to fostering collaboration, sparking innovation, and highlighting the transformative power of Florida’s thriving tech ecosystem.
