About John
John Goodson is the CEO and co-founder of Darkhive, a company that builds American tactical drones to compete with foreign manufacturers on cost and performance. Prior to founding Darkhive, John served as a Navy special operator, where he gained firsthand experience with the challenges and limitations of drone technology in the field. After transitioning out of the military, John held roles at a national lab, the Department of Energy, and as a program manager at CTI, where he gained valuable experience in software development, strategic contracting, and internal operations.
About Darkhive
Darkhive, founded in the fall of 2021, aims to address the critical gap in the defense community by building affordable, high-performance tactical drones that are designed with the end-user in mind. The company places a strong emphasis on open, discoverable systems that can be easily integrated with existing infrastructure, ensuring that their products remain useful and adaptable over time. Darkhive has secured multiple government contracts, including a Phase III award from Autonomy Prime, and has received widespread support from various branches of the military, including the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Key Takeaways
John shared some of his top lessons and takeaways from his time running the company. Here are the top five:
Empathy for the end-user is crucial in product design. John's experience as a special operator allows him to understand the challenges and needs of the warfighter, informing Darkhive's product development to create drones that are not only high-performing but also practical and user-friendly.
Open, discoverable systems are essential for long-term success. Darkhive prioritizes building products with open interfaces that can be easily integrated with existing infrastructure, ensuring that their drones remain useful and adaptable as technology evolves and mission requirements change.
Timing and readiness are key factors in securing government contracts. By aligning their product development with the government's expressed needs and being prepared to seize opportunities as they arise, Darkhive has been able to secure significant contracts and establish itself as a leading provider of tactical drone technology.
Mentorship and past experience play a vital role in entrepreneurial success. John's mentors and his experience in the defense tech sector have been invaluable in navigating the complexities of starting and growing a company in this industry.
The future of defense procurement may prioritize adaptability and continuous improvement. As technology rapidly evolves, the government is increasingly recognizing the importance of more flexible procurement models that allow for ongoing updates and improvements to keep pace with changing mission requirements.
For more on Darkhive: https://www.darkhive.com/
For more on John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-darkhive/
Ep. 20: Integration as a Superpower