Hacking for Defense and the Defense Innovation Unit
H4D and DIU Partner to Bring Real-World Problems to the Next Generation of Problem-Solvers
Recently, we had the honor of showcasing the Hacking for Defense® (H4D) program to a Hacking for Defense sponsor, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU’s support from H4D’s beginning in 2016 has enabled the course to spread from Stanford University to more than 70 colleges and universities. Twelve schools are currently teaching the course this spring, including Arizona State University, Carnegie Mellon University, College of William & Mary, Georgetown University, Indiana University - Bloomington, James Madison University, Stanford University, University of California - San Diego, University of Chicago, University of Southern California, University of Southern Mississippi and University of Texas - Dallas.
The H4D course is an immersive 10-16 week experience where interdisciplinary student teams work to develop viable, mission-driven solutions. Students are engaged in rapid problem-solving using the Lean LaunchPad methodology, conducting dozens and sometimes hundreds of customer discovery interviews to refine their understanding of complex issues. The results are innovative, field-tested solutions that can make an immediate impact.
H4D is also an incubator for bold new ideas, new technologies, and occasionally, the birth of companies either focused on the government, or dual-use technologies for the civilian market as well (even giving rise to a few unicorns along the way!).
National security problems H4D tackles come from a range of government organizations: the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard, Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of State, and Department of Veterans Affairs, among others.
Examples from the class were shared, reviewing the H4D team’s journey, such as H4D class team Anthro Energy, who developed a game-changing electrolyte technology that is redefining battery possibilities. Today, Anthro Energy is a success story pursuing a dual-use business model with obtaining successful funding from government, seed and venture supporters.
One of the H4D founders Steve Blank has the mantra: “There are no facts inside the building—get the heck outside.” This is baked into the class. Part of the team journey is customer discovery, and this is done with hundreds of interviews, both in-person and virtually, with every stakeholder and possible customers imaginable. The process takes the team from their initial hypothesis to usually a new one. This rollercoaster ride of discovery determines the solution fit, shows possible hypergrowth and then teaches the students how to scale – moving from uninformed optimism and simplicity through informed pessimism and complexity to informed optimism and simplicity. The end result is a mapped ecosystem around a problem that shows a direct relationship between champions, buyers and even possible saboteurs.
Some key points about the H4D class and the problems it solves are:
H4D students focus on solving a problem, not creating a solution.
Quality problems fuel the class.
Beneficiary discovery leads to better understanding and redefining the problem.
Government support, like that from DIU, allows students to work on the world’s most difficult problems and access people within the government to help the students understand the problem before they attempt to solve it.
H4D is important – especially in today's rapidly evolving global landscape where national security challenges demand innovative, agile and unconventional solutions. The Hacking for Defense (H4D) program is at the forefront of bridging that gap between government organizations and the brightest minds in academia, equipping students with the tools to tackle real-world defense problems.
H4D isn’t just about technical innovation—it’s about talent development. In the last ten years, H4D has propelled 72 teams to launch startups, raising more than $350 million in funding. But more importantly, it has shifted students’ perceptions of public service and had the following positive impacts on H4D alumni:
92% of H4D alumni report an immediate impact on their career plans
92% had a more positive perception of government workers after taking the course
88% leave with a more positive view of U.S. government organizations and understanding of the importance of public service
77% say the experience reshapes their long-term career vision
Beyond the classroom, H4D has expanded into a broader talent ecosystem, including capstone projects and the Defense Innovation Summer Fellowship. This ecosystem ensures that both students and military personnel gain the skills needed to drive innovation within the defense sector.
National security threats are evolving—and so should the way we solve them. H4D is proving that by breaking down silos between government and academia, we can create a pipeline of innovators ready to take on the nation’s toughest challenges.
The Hacking for Defense (H4D) program has been taught at 70 colleges and universities around the world and has created 72 startups that have generated 660 jobs and raised more than $350 million. To learn more about the H4D course at Stanford University visit h4d.stanford.edu; to learn more about H4D around the world visit h4d.us. To learn more about The Hacking for Defense® Manual by Jeff Decker, PhD, visit Amazon.