Travis DeMeester is a program manager with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Department of Defense’s premier organization for accelerating the adoption of commercial and dual-use technology to solve operational challenges at speed and scale. Based in Los Angeles, he specializes in leveraging autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and digital engineering technologies to solve strategic problems in national defense. 

 

Travis has extensive experience advising corporate, academic, and public-sector clients on new venture design, rapid prototyping, R&D partnerships, strategic marketing, and venture fundraising. He also mentors startup founders and participates in angel investment networks. 

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His expertise is sought after by entrepreneurs, researchers, military personnel, and business leaders to expedite research and development, secure funding from unconventional sources, unlock synergies within intricate stakeholder networks, and capitalize on emerging business prospects.

 

Previously, Travis served as an active-duty officer and helicopter pilot in the US Marine Corps, with over 500 combat flight hours. His career began as a systems engineer on the B-2 Stealth Bomber program and EO/IR targeting and countermeasures systems at Northrop Grumman. 

 

Travis holds a BS in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan, a systems engineering certification from Caltech, and a master’s degree in business administration and management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.