Ep. 165 - From Fighter Pilot to Founder: Thomas Higginbotham on Building the Future of Defense AI with Kestrel

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins speaks with Thomas Higginbotham, Founder and CEO of Kestrel and United States Air Force Veteran. Thomas shares how growing up in a multi-generational Air Force family, serving as a fighter pilot, and later working through a grueling flight training experience shaped his resilience and mission-driven mindset.

The conversation follows his journey from active duty to Stanford, then into roles at Google X and C3 AI, where he developed deep expertise in AI, enterprise systems, and defense technology. Thomas explains how he identified a scalable opportunity in defense software and ultimately founded Kestrel, while reflecting on the realities of becoming a founder, learning to sell, building conviction, navigating investor skepticism, and committing fully to a vision before the market fully existed.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How military experience can translate into startup leadership and technical innovation
• The importance of grit and resilience built through real-world adversity
• Why sensor orchestration is becoming a critical capability in modern defense systems
• How Stanford, Google X, and C3 AI shaped a founder’s mindset
• Lessons in enterprise sales, product-market fit, and government procurement
• Why conviction is essential when building a company before the market fully exists
• The role of culture fit in career transitions from military to civilian life
• How to think about “selling” as a core professional and leadership skill
• What it takes to leave a stable career and commit fully to a startup

Thomas also shares candid advice for aspiring founders, especially veterans, emphasizing the importance of conviction, preparation, and understanding the increasing competitiveness of the defense tech landscape.

Whether you're a veteran exploring entrepreneurship, a technologist interested in defense innovation, or someone navigating a major career transition, this episode delivers grounded insights on building, betting on yourself, and staying committed when the path forward is uncertain.

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