The Hacking for Defense® Manual - A New Comprehensive Guide to Innovation for National Security is now available

Jeff Decker, PhD, of Stanford University Teaches Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups to Create New Technologies for the Defense Industry

The Hacking for Defense® Manual, a new comprehensive guide to innovation for national security by Jeff Decker, PhD, is now available on Amazon. This book is a transformative resource for students, entrepreneurs, and innovators addressing national security challenges. As the Program Director of the Hacking for Defense (H4D) course and Managing Director of the Technology Transfer for Defense (TT4D) program at Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy, Dr. Decker brings unparalleled expertise to the subject of Defense technology, providing a comprehensive guide that teaches Lean LaunchPad techniques to solve complex government problems.

H4D is a graduate-level course taught at more than 70 colleges and universities globally. The course has fundamentally altered the landscape of national security problem-solving, teaching teams of students how to use modern entrepreneurial tools and processes to solve critical national security challenges at startup speed. Contrary to the name “hacking,” the course doesn’t have anything to do with cyberhacking. Instead, the students are called “hackers” as they hack through bureaucracy to quickly and efficiently solve national security problems. More than 3,000 students have taken the course, successfully addressing complex problems relating to energy networks, cyber security, AI and more. From the course, more than 62 dual-use ventures have been formed. H4D was created in 2016 by Lean Startup founder Steve Blank, creator of the Lean LaunchPad curriculum used in the course and co-founder of Stanford’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation; Joe Felter, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia and founding director of the Gordian Knot Center; and retired Army Colonel Peter Newell, now CEO of the innovation company BMNT. Blank, Felter and Newell wrote the foreword, preface and introduction, respectively, for the book.

Since its pilot at Stanford, H4D has grown into a global movement, spanning three continents (the U.S., the UK, and Australia). It has introduced a new methodology that combines rapid iteration, customer discovery, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address challenges that once seemed intractable. The success of H4D has also inspired the creation of sister courses: Hacking for Diplomacy, Hacking for Impact, Hacking for Oceans, and more. The model is adaptable, addressing not just defense issues but also intelligence challenges, homeland security problems, and even health and climate concerns. The influence of H4D extends far beyond the classroom. More than 62 H4D teams have gone on to form dual-use companies after completing the course, injecting fresh innovation into commercial and defense sectors. Significantly, 41% of H4D alumni now work directly for the government or industries supporting the national security enterprise – a clear indication of the program’s role in shaping the next generation of policymakers and innovators. 

“H4D is about the nation’s brightest minds tackling the government's toughest problems,” said Decker, who is the Stanford University program director of the Hacking for Defense program. “The Hacking for Defense Manual is the first book of its kind that guides students and entrepreneurs through the process of problem solving, using the Lean LaunchPad methodologies to create a Mission Model Canvas to come up with MVPs that solve the problems and can ultimately be marketed back to the Defense Department. We are proud to say that several successful companies have come out of the H4D program.”

In the U.S., where the course is a program of record, supported by Congress, H4D is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Common Mission Project, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and National Security Innovation Network (NSIN). Corporate partners include Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. Government problem sponsors hail from across government and include the Defense Department, Intelligence Community, Homeland Security, Department of Justice, the State Department, and the VA. 

H4D is powered by BMNT and Its nonprofit partner, the Common Mission Project, with support from NSIN, whose mission is to build networks of innovators that generate new solutions to national security problems. The goal of the class is to provide students with an experiential opportunity solving real-world problems helping them to become more effective in their chosen field. For the government, the H4D program allows problem sponsors to increase the speed at which their organization solves specific, mission-critical problems.

The Hacking for Defense Manual covers a historical perspective on the origins of war and the need for agile technology development and the birth of the Hacking for Defense program. The chapters delve into the problems and solutions the teams work on, with compelling case studies, and the process of developing and delivering solutions using the Mission Model Canvas and Lean Launchpad methodologies for the defense and intelligence community. The book also highlights some of the successful teams and how they have gone on to secure lucrative and beneficial defense contracts or developed unicorn dual-use companies.

Among the praise for The Hacking for Defense Manual:  

“Securing our nation from increasingly complex and dangerous threats requires all hands on deck. The Hacking for Defense Manual helps citizens understand how they can do their part to promote peace and security for generations to come.” — Lieut. Gen. (ret.) H.R. McMaster, Former U.S. National Security Advisor. 

“Any aspiring founder looking to do business with the government could stand to learn from The Hacking for Defense Manual as they work on finding innovative solutions to some of the country's toughest problems.” — Trae Stephens, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Anduril Industries & General Partner at Founders Fund.

"A great guide on how to pursue your passion for technology and innovation, and also make a difference to our national security.” — William J. Perry, 19th U.S. Secretary of Defense. 

“H4D is a proven methodology emphasizing speed and iteration in developing new concepts and solutions for warfighters. It’s more than a manual; this is the HOW TO for future defense technology solutions.” — Michael Brown, Partner at SHIELD CAPITAL, Former Director of the Defense Innovation Unit.

The Hacking for Defense Manual is available in hardcover for $32.99 and as an eBook for $19.99 on Amazon. To purchase or learn more about The Hacking for Defense Manual, visit Amazon. To learn more about the Hacking for Defense program, visit h4d.us or h4d.stanford.edu or follow the H4D blog on Substack at substack.com/@stanfordh4d.

About Jeff Decker, PhD

Jeff Decker, PhD, transforms how startups tackle defense and national security challenges. As Managing Director of the Technology Transfer for Defense (TT4D) program and co-instructor of Hacking for Defense (H4D) at Stanford, as well ad the director of Education at the Common Mission Project, he teaches entrepreneurs Lean Startup techniques to solve problems and launch companies. A former U.S. Army Ranger with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Decker leverages his military experience to develop go-to-market strategies for tech startups in the defense sector. The H4D course has spawned 20 startups, created 660 jobs, and raised over $350 million. Featured in top publications and a lecturer at innovation events, he holds an MS and PhD in International Relations and conducted research at RAND before joining Stanford. The Hacking for Defense Manual is his first book.

About Hacking for Defense

Hacking for Defense (H4D) is a graduate-level course focused on defense tech entrepreneurship taught at more than 70 of the world’s top colleges and universities across three continents. The program solves critical national security problems using Lean Startup methodologies and integrating Silicon Valley’s best practices into national security solutions. More than 3,000 students have successfully completed the intensive project-based program. 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 follow H4D’s blog, visit stanfordh4d.substack.com.

Special THANKS to our beta readers and all who contributed to bringing the book to fruition.