Born out of a combination of the rapid problem sourcing and curation Pete Newell developed on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Steve Blank’s Lean Startup process, Hacking for Defense (H4D) has set the national security arena afire. H4D projects have earned recognition as the fastest way to bring technological innovations to bear on defense’s thorniest problems, whether through a BMNT enterprise effort, or a graduate-level course facilitated by Hacking for Defense, Inc (H4Di). We’ve developed strong partnerships with academics at Stanford, Columbia, and Georgetown Universities; military organizations like DIUx, JIDO and the NGA; and with countless startups throughout Silicon Valley. Through these relationships, we’ve been able to create a vibrant ecosystem passionate about identifying, isolating and solving problems no matter what their form. We are proud of how far we’ve come in the last year and we are already gearing up for more in 2017. Next year promises explosive growth throughout our ventures and our team is sure that they will continue to deliver the transformative results our national security forces need.

1. TM
MISSION
RESULTS2016 HACKING FOR DEFENSE

2. THIS IS ONLY THE
BEGINNING.
Born out of a combination of the rapid problem sourcing and curation Pete Newell developed on
the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Steve Blank’s Lean Startup process, Hacking for
Defense (H4D) has set the national security arena afire. H4D projects have earned recognition as
the fastest way to bring technological innovations to bear on defense’s thorniest problems,
whether through a BMNT enterprise effort, or a graduate-level course facilitated by Hacking for
Defense, Inc (H4Di).
We’ve developed strong partnerships with academics at Stanford, Columbia, and Georgetown
Universities; military organizations like DIUx, JIDO and the NGA; and with countless startups
throughout Silicon Valley. Through these relationships, we’ve been able to create a vibrant
ecosystem passionate about identifying, isolating, and solving problems no matter what their
form.
We are proud of how far we’ve come in the last year and we are already gearing up for more in
2017. Next year promises explosive growth throughout our ventures and our team is sure that
they will continue to deliver the transformative results our national security forces need.
1
1
For more information on educational programs facilitated by Hacking for Defense, Inc., see www.h4di.org

3. CONTENTS
01Who We Are
052016 Results
07Case Studies
13Our World
17Preparing for 2017
21Working With Us

4. 1
2
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1 22016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
HARD PROBLEMS ARE OUR
WORLD
All of our work has a common thread. Our ultimate goal is always to solve problems, and to
improve the process for the next problem. Problems are the fuel that drives our engine, the
harder the problem the higher the octane. Few people get happier as their work gets more
difficult. We do.
We try to follow a four-step process to guide our strategy. The steps are:
Hacking for Defense loves problems, the harder
the better.
Do things to create opportunities.
Develop hypotheses for each opportunity.
Test hypotheses.
Make decisions based on test results.
H4DiBMNT

5. 3 42016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
HARNESSING MULTIPLE TRACKS
FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
There is no shortage of hard government problems that need solving, but luckily we’ve found
there is no shortage of individuals looking to lend a hand. To maximize our impact, Hacking For
Defense acts across two parallel tracks: H4D sprints, and our academic courses organized by the
non-profit, H4Di.org.
H4D sprints are the focus of BMNT’s efforts. We run teams through a roughly 90 day process,
digging into the root of their problem while building a coalition of stakeholders inside
government and throughout the commercial sector who have a tangible stake in the problem
and its solution. Through user testing, problem refinement, and outreach, teams emerge with
early-stage prototypes for further testing and/or a pathway for development (often utilizing the
agile contracting authorities of the sponsoring agencies).
Our academic courses are focused on student innovation, helping harness the creative genius of
college students to solve more hard government problem. Universities run Hacking for
Defense , wherein government sponsors propose hard problems and teams of students form to
tackle them using the Lean Methodology. Our team has donated countless hours, curated
problems, and refined methodologies to enable the growth of Hacking for Defense to seven
universities across the U.S. The success of this initial pilot course spawned the creation of an
additional “Hacking for” courses focused on Diplomacy.
H4DiBMNT

6. 5 62016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
H4D BY THE NUMBERS
1,006
188
94
75
Interviews
Government Particpants
MVPs Created
Student Particpants
Commercial Companies Involved
1,834+ Government Agencies
64
Tradecraft Designers
14
Sprints
12
Sprint Solutions in
Development7
Student Teams
Continuing Post
H4D Course
4
H4DiBMNT

7. 7 82016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
CASE STUDIES
Cyber National Mission Force - H4D Sprint
The Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) began H4D seeking to: “Determine time and cost
effective ways to increase the cost curve on adversary cyberspace operations.” H4D brought
together 18 participants – cyber analysts, program managers, and mission operators from 9
organizations across Cyber Command and the intelligence community – with 21 experts from 14
companies and Stanford University to tailor their solution approach.
While interacting with the current state of the art in emerging commercial capabilities, the
participants maintained a user-story mindset, which paired their tremendous experience with
the art of the possible, and focused efforts on providing a tangible benefit to users. They
emerged from the Lean Methodology with a refined understanding of their problem, which
refocused their efforts on leveraging automated orchestration to increase the cost-curve for
adversary cyberspace operations.
Armed with more clarity and a narrower focus, the CNMF team built a pathway for the
development of automated orchestration pilot and operationalization. DIUx’s Commercial
Solutions Opening (CSO) now allows CNMF to rapidly pursue solution options as they are
identified; while the pathway itself enables them to focus on broader automated response
options in the near future.
Overview Key Takeaways
Refined and refocused understanding of
their institutional problems
Deep awareness of the current art of the
possible
Clearly articulated metrics for successful
testing and evaluation
Roadmap for quick-turn solution
development with DIUx’s Commercial
Solution Opening
H4DiBMNT

8. 9 102016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
Team SkyNet - H4Di Stanford Course (Spring 2016)
Team Skynet paired with SOCOM during the pilot Stanford Hacking for Defense class to increase
the situational awareness of small teams using commercial-off-the-shelf drones. The team was a
diverse sample of Stanford students, and included an embedded systems engineer, a data-
scientist turned law student, a UI/UX software engineer, and an active duty army captain with
firsthand experience using UAV platforms in the field.
Skynet spent the remaining weeks investigating both the technical aspects of automation and
the usability aspects. They discovered a need to keep a man in the loop, and identified the most
promising new algorithms to provide the autonomous behavior needed. By the end of H4D they
conducted 107 interviews, interviewing 52 end-users, 26 technology experts, 14 buyers, and 8
company executives. Skynet continued to develop their technology after the class, and was
accepted to a SOFWERX Rapid Prototyping Event.
Skynet immediately jumped into their problem, leveraging their own network of contacts to
facilitate rapid access to their end-users. They initially investigated the suitability of new
technologies like Augmented Reality for human-drone interaction, but changed their tactics
after running a metacognitive obstacle course. In it, Team Skynet worked with a California
National Guard unit to simulated the physical and mental strain routinely experienced by
soldiers in combat. Two things became painfully obvious: soldiers are already juggling multiple
systems, and the cognitive load placed on warfighters in combat greatly impedes their ability to
do other things, like pilot or oversee UAVs. Introducing new technologies would force soldiers to
familiarize themselves with yet another system. Therefore, Skynet opted to integrate with the
Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), a system already preferred and used by SOF elements. When
paired with the cognitive challenge, this guided Skynet to the most critical issue, of automation.
Overview Key Takeaways
Results grounded in end-user feedback Solution pathways developed with an
eye towards successful fielding
Work continuing after the conclusion of
course, leveraging existing acquisition
programs
End-product benefiting from both pre-
existing systems and new capabilities
H4DiBMNT

9. 11 122016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
ABOUT HACKING FOR DEFENSE
[It] was truly a great opportunity to learn and apply new
skills. It introduced concepts like the ‘Mission Model
Canvas’, which when coupled with Agile practices resonate
very well with the direction our government clients are
looking to go in the next 5-10 years.
-Garey Taylor, Booz Allen Hamilton
Coming here and comparing the Marine Corps process and
the sprint process, this is a streamlined Marine Corps
process. We can replicate it within the DoD. We just need to
make sure we’re somewhere else, that we’re not in uniform,
because you won’t talk as openly to someone who’s a
general, not with confidence.
-Staff Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
I think Air Force Research Lab and Air Force program
managers need to embrace processes that lead to more
rapid innovation, failing fast, and greater focus on the value
proposition in their ideas.
-Engineer, Air Force Research Lab
Simple, it works.
-Major, United States Air Force
-John Kerry, Secretary of State
We’re at the start of a global disruption, and a lot of people
are feeling left behind. But you guys are at the forefront of it
and aren’t afraid to make it something that can positively
impact people…I’m really impressed with all the problems
you’re working on, from artifical intelligence and machine
learning to space and countering violent extremism, I’m
really supportive of it. Solve these problems!!
-Captain, United States Air Force
It is eye opening to experience learn how problems are
solved using the Mission Model Canvas. Getting a chance to
work through full process highlights how fast innovation can
occur in real time.
-Major General Nakasone, Head of Army Cyber
It’s an incredibly valuable insight that you get when you
move outside of 50 miles of Washington, DC, and you bring
your best talent out here…that’s at the end of the day just
money for us.
H4DiBMNT

10. 13 142016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
OUR WORLD
The H4D team doesn’t work in a vacuum. Whether it’s our government problem sponsors or the
companies we’ve brought into the fold, our success comes down to the talent and dedication of
those we’ve worked with.
These are just some of the world-class partners that we’ve worked with in 2016:
Government Commercial
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11. 15 162016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
KEYS TO SUCCESS
We’ve learned alot this year. All of it has strengthened not
only us but our work.
Commitment
The commitment of our problem owners is unrivaled. Without them, MVPs could not be
developed and hypotheses would not get tested.
Testability
MVPs can be sexy, but the key concept is minimum. MVPs are not yet prototypes, and in fact,
often seem closer to a high school science project. If they don’t actually test and validate critical
hypotheses then they are a waste of time.
Focus
The H4D process is both a time- and mentally-intensive experience. Participants who give their
all receive the best results.
Leadership Buy-In
Senior Leadership buy-in is crucial. Most often a roadblock is not monetary in nature – but
simply the permission to experiment and the ability to alter policy.
Closed Loop
Much of the learning flows from private sector to the government. We’ve closed this loop so that
the private sector gains as much as it gives. Partner companies now receive quick and detailed
feedback on their offerings, while no future contracts can be promised, partners can better tailor
their products to government customers.
Common Language
Even within different parts of the Department of Defense talking the same language is a
problem; bring in outside companies or university students without defense experience and
communication without a planned common language becomes a real challenge.
H4DiBMNT

12. 17 182016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
2017 SNEAK PREVIEW
The H4D sprint team is on track to tackle even more thornier problems, including:
Tactical biometric sensors and data
Counter-drone defense systems
Secure near-field wireless networks
Commercial satellite networks and launch systems
Hacking for Urban Resiliency
Australian Department of Defense
Hacking for Diplomacy
Hacking for Development
Hacking for Manufacturing
Hacking for Hollywood
Peer-to-Peer collaboration to facilitate rapid prototyping
Facial recognition through augmented reality
Roadside bomb detection through augmented reality
H4D Sprint Focus Areas
Our academic course is expanding into even more policy areas:
Academic Courses
As we look at more global problems we are expanding H4D internationally:
International Expansion
H4DiBMNT
01 02
03

13. 19 202016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
Boise State University
North Dakota State University
Columbia University
Quinnipiac University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Georgetown University
University of Pittsburgh
United States Military Academy
James Madison UniversityOhio State University
University of Central Florida
University of Southern Mississippi
Utah State University
Stanford University
University of California – San Diego
University of Southern California
University of Technology Sydney
The initial success of the Hacking for Defense class at Stanford University inspired interest from
a number of universities, government problem sponsors, and corporate mentors. The first
cohort expansion of Hacking for Defense will multiply the number of problems being
addressed, and the number of college students channeling their expertise toward becoming a
member of the 21st Century national security workforce.
H4Di Projected 2017 Universities
H4DiBMNT

14. 21 222016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
OUR TOOLKIT
Our toolkit is designed to increase the speed at which your
organization solves its problems. Here are just some of the
tools we use:
Mission Model Canvas (MMC)*
A framework of hypotheses about the way your
proposed solution would fit together. We use the
MMC to capture and test guesses.
Product Sprint
An immersive five-day experience to test and
improve hypotheses about specific solutions to a
problem. This requires 10-12 personnel from the
sponsor organization.
Value Proposition Canvas*
A “zoomed-in” look at the Beneficiaries at the
heart of the problem. This helps us understand
the situation from their perspective.
Technical Terrain Walk
A three-day exploration of technologies and
companies working on the problem. This requires
2-3 personnel from the sponsor organization
assigned to solve the problem.
Design Thinking
A zoomed-in look at the users at the center of an
idea. This design discipline helps you understand
problems and opportunities from the perspective
of the people with the problem.
Problem Validation
A process of rapidly testing the major
assumptions of a problem. Experts from
academia and industry offer feedback about
hidden challenges and other limiting factors to
consider.
Problem Translation
A restatement of an important problem to make
it accessible to people outside the sponsor
organization. Potential partners may not
understand the way you describe a problem
internally.
Beg, Borrow, Steal
A process of reviewing products and services with
the goal of “taking” the best elements to adapt
them to our problem.
H4DiBMNT
*We’ve worked closely with Alexander Osterwalder to adapt his original Business Model Canvas & Value
Proposition Canvas to support H4D

15. 23 242016 Mission Results 2016 Mission Results
PROBLEM CHECKLIST
Is your problem right for us?
Do you have authority to work
on the problem, and ability to
implement solutions resulting
from the program?
Is this a critical problem for
your organization?
Will you and key members of
your organization have time to
devote to the short, but intense
H4D process?
Can you define what success
will look like?
Will a solution be actionable
within a 1-3 year time horizon?
H4DiBMNT