In the corridors between Langley and Sand Hill Road, where national security meets venture capital, Seth Spergel occupies a rare position. As Managing Partner of Merlin Ventures, he's one of the few investors who's actually sat on both sides of the table, identifying critical intelligence gaps for the CIA and NSA, then funding the startups bold enough to solve them. His appearance on DMV Rising 2025's "Vision for Global Leadership" panel brings essential perspective on how our region can learn from global cybersecurity ecosystems to strengthen its own innovation landscape.
With over a decade at IBM, a successful exit as VP of Engineering at publicly-traded ThinkGeek, and a transformative stint at In-Q-Tel, the intelligence community's strategic venture arm, Spergel understands what it takes to bridge the notorious valley of death between cutting-edge innovation and government adoption.
Three reasons Spergel is uniquely qualified to guide the DMV's evolution into a global cyber powerhouse:
He's decoded the intelligence community's innovation paradox. During his tenure at In-Q-Tel, Spergel worked directly with the CIA, NSA, and other agencies to identify commercial technologies that could address their most classified challenges. He knows firsthand why so many promising technologies fail to penetrate federal markets, and more importantly, how to fix it. This experience directly shapes Merlin's investment thesis: finding cybersecurity companies with market-leading potential and providing them with the federal market expertise they need to scale.
He's built the operational muscle memory that separates great ideas from great companies. Starting as a software developer at IBM and evolving through sales management, then scaling ThinkGeek as VP of Engineering through its public offering, Spergel brings something rare to the venture world: he's actually built and operated the systems he now invests in.
He's architecting the ecosystem that the DMV needs. At Merlin Ventures, Spergel isn't just deploying capital; he's building bridges. The firm's model goes beyond traditional VC, providing portfolio companies with critical engineering support, go-to-market strategies, and access to both federal and commercial markets. By searching globally for cutting-edge technologies while maintaining deep roots in the DMV's federal ecosystem, Merlin embodies the exact type of strategic investor the region needs to compete on the global stage.
Why This Matters for the DMV
Spergel's unique journey, from IBM developer to intelligence community investor to managing partner, exemplifies the career pathways that can transform regional talent into global leaders.
The "Vision for Global Leadership" panel will examine how different regions have developed distinct pathways for cybersecurity innovation, including perspectives from Israel's tech ecosystem and other international models. The discussion will explore critical questions about technology transfer from military to commercial sectors, building robust investment networks, and creating public-private partnerships that can accelerate the DMV's cyber innovation while addressing national security priorities.
Joining Spergel will be Yossi Appleboum (CEO, Sepio), Stephanie Cherrin (Partner, JP Morgan Technology Ventures), with John Funge (Venture Partner, Data Tribe) moderating—each bringing perspectives from different corners of the global cyber ecosystem.
Don't miss your chance to hear from an investor who's mastered the art of turning intelligence community problems into commercial cyber solutions—and who's now focused on positioning the DMV as a leading global hub for cybersecurity innovation.
