Raj Shah

Raj Shah is a prominent leader in defense innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, with a career that spans building bridges between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon. As the co-founder and managing partner of Shield Capital, an investment firm focused on technologies applicable to both commercial and defense markets, Shah has positioned himself at the forefront of innovation that strengthens both the public and private sectors. His expertise lies in fostering partnerships and integrating cutting-edge technologies to address the most pressing security challenges of our time.

Shah’s extensive background in defense innovation includes his tenure as managing partner of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx). In this role, Raj reported directly to the Secretary of Defense and was responsible for leading the Department of Defense’s efforts to leverage commercial technology for military applications. Under his leadership, DIUx created critical contractual and cultural bridges between the U.S. military and Silicon Valley, helping to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems.

Before his leadership roles in government, Raj co-founded and served as CEO of Morta Security, a cybersecurity start-up acquired by Palo Alto Networks. He subsequently became the Senior Director of Strategy at Palo Alto Networks, where he played a key role in guiding the company’s long-term growth and positioning it as a leader in the cybersecurity space.

Shah currently serves as the chairman of Resilience, a cybersecurity start-up, and is also a commissioner on the Department of Defense’s Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform (PPB&E). In addition, he is on the Board of Directors for NATO’s Innovation Fund, where he advises on strategies to drive technological advancement across the alliance.

He holds an A.B. from Princeton University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Raj’s thought leadership and experience make him a sought-after speaker and advisor on topics ranging from defense innovation and cybersecurity to leadership in high-stakes environments.

His pioneering work is documented in his book, Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War, which explores the intersection of emerging technology and national defense. In addition to his entrepreneurial and strategic expertise, Shah is a decorated U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot, having completed multiple combat deployments. His unique combination of military service and business leadership gives him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of technology and national security.