Heartland Maritime & Defense Innovation Forum at Notre Dame

The Heartland Maritime and Defense Innovation Forum is happening December 9–10 at Innovation Park at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. This two-day event brings together defense leaders, industry innovators, academics, and investors to explore the future of maritime technology, microelectronics, and national defense innovation in the Midwest.

Who should attend:

• DoD personnel, defense acquisition professionals, and government officials
• Defense contractors and tech companies (both experienced and new to defense)
• Startups, manufacturers, and commercial businesses exploring defense opportunities
• Venture capital and private equity professionals
• University researchers, faculty, and workforce development organizations

Agenda Highlights:

Tuesday, Dec 9

• Welcome Lunch & Keynote
• Panel 1: Anchors Aweigh: Rebuilding America’s Maritime Industrial Might
• Panel 2: Unleashing Great Lakes & Midwest Unmanned Innovation
• Panel 3: Funding the Future: Non-Dilutive Capital for Defense Innovation
• Panel 4: The Innovation Triangle: Academia, Industry & Defense Collaboration
• HMDIF Happy Hour – networking with a view of Notre Dame Football Field

Wednesday, Dec 10

• Panel 5: Sovereign Power: Islanded Microgrids for Resilient Manufacturing & AI
• Panel 6: Beyond the Coasts: High-Value Microelectronics Opportunities
• Panel 7: Building the Arsenal of Democracy: Regional Workforce Capacity
• Lunch & Presentation: Maritime and Microelectronics Innovation Ecosystems
• Panel 8: Capital Convergence: Private Investment in Dual-Use Technologies

Why this forum is valuable:

• Understand how to enter the defense market and access non-dilutive funding opportunities
• Learn from panels covering shipbuilding, unmanned systems, microelectronics, workforce development, and AI
• Build connections with defense, academia, and investment communities in the Midwest
• Gain insight into regional collaboration and innovation ecosystems shaping national defense

Event Details:
 Innovation Park at Notre Dame, 1400 E Angela Blvd, South Bend, IN 46617
 December 9–10, 2025

Please use Cinergy2025 for discount .