Critical Technology
Problem Solving at Scale
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Build What
Warfighters Need.

If you're building for the Indo-Pacific mission, build with us.
Merge Combinator, the venture studio for national security builders.

125+ Companies
65 Coaches
20+ Problem Sets
01 03 DISCOVER BUILD DEPLOY MISSION
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A vertically integrated, warfighter-centered builder studio.

Merge connects real operational problems, technical builders, and field deployments into one end-to-end pipeline.

The Combine: Validating Critical Problems and Solutions

Where founders, operators, and mission owners solve real problems and form teams. The best week in defense tech for early-stage founders.

  • Validate operational problems with domain experts
  • Build teams and solutions
  • Prove it on the field
Learn About The Combine
Founders
Combine
Coaches

Merge Studio: Venture Formation

We co-found ventures in demand by mission owners. Backed by operators, SME, and builders committed to the mission.

  • Co-found ventures from validated problems
  • Rapid prototyping & iteration
  • Develop and deploy direct to the mission
Build with us
venture.config
venture: {
  problem: "validated",
  team: "operator-led",
  timeline: "weeks",
  status: "building"
}

Defense Builders: Deployment Platform

The digital platform connecting founders, SMEs, and operators. Run pilots, solve technical problems, and deploy fast.

  • Simple, compliant workflows
  • Direct operator access
  • Indo-Pacific field deployments
Join the Platform

From problem to deployment in weeks, not years.

01

Problem Discovery

Real operational problems identified by mission owners

02

Team Formation

Founders and operators matched at The Combine

03

Rapid Build

Prototype development in Merge Studio

04

Field Deployment

Deployed to operators across Indo-Pacific

Our national security demands better technology, faster.

Operators face accelerating threats. Founders struggle to access real problems. Traditional acquisition moves slowly, trapped by legacy overhead and siloed processes.

Innovation must happen next to the mission — not behind a desk.

Merge creates a new model: A rapid, informed, operator-driven cycle where real problems translate into real prototypes and real deployments.

Experience from:
Palantir Anduril SOCOM DIU
18-24 months Traditional acquisition
6-8 weeks Merge pipeline
75% faster to deployment

Three programs. One mission.

Discover

The Combine

One week, in person. Funded and emerging teams get real validation from operators and mission owners close to the requirement.

  • Validate against real problem owners
  • Pressure-test solution fit with direct operator feedback
  • Leave with decisions, next steps, and champions
Apply to The Combine
Build

Merge Studio

We co-found and build ventures born from validated problem sets—backed by operators, technical builders, and deployment partners.

  • Venture formation around validated needs
  • Rapid prototyping and iteration cycles
  • Field-driven design, not deck-driven
Get involved
Deploy

Defense Builders

The platform where builders and mission owners execute: briefs, problems, champions, and access paths to pilots.

  • Problem sets, champions, and builders in one workflow
  • Briefs (de-attributed) to reduce information overload
  • Guild listings for vetted teams (private beta)
Join Defense Builders
150+ Operators & SMEs engaged
IP Indo-Pacific deployments

Built for the mission

Security First

Designed for sensitive mission environments.

Indo-Pacific Focus

Deep regional expertise and established operator relationships.

Rapid Iteration

Weeks to deployment, not months or years.

Operator Network

Direct insights from mission owners and operators.

Dual-Use Expertise

Navigate commercial and defense markets seamlessly.

Validated Problems

Every venture starts with real, operator-validated needs.

What our builders are saying

How to Engage

Where builders, operators, primes, and mission owners connect.

Founders & Startups

Validate problems, join the Combine, or explore venture formation with Merge Studio.

  • Apply to The Combine
  • Pitch to Merge Studio
  • Join Defense Builders
For Founders

Primes & Industry

Access dual-use teams, de-risk prototypes, or support venture spinouts.

  • Partner on prototypes
  • Sponsor Combine cohorts
  • Acquire spinout tech
For Industry

Build what warfighters need.

Join Merge Combinator and become part of the next wave of national security innovation.