The Hill & Valley Forum 2026 will focus on strengthening alliances between U.S. policymakers, technology leaders, and international partners, with an emphasis on AI, industrial leadership, and global collaboration. This year’s event will produce actionable policy papers on key issues like supply chains and biotech, reflecting a shift toward public, tangible outcomes and fostering ongoing dialogue between government and the tech industry.
The Hill & Valley Forum 2026 marks the fifth year of this influential gathering, which began as a small dinner in 2022 during the Biden administration and has since grown into one of the largest events connecting Washington, D.C. policymakers and technology leaders. This year’s forum is particularly significant as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States. The focus has expanded beyond technological leadership to include industrial and alliance leadership, reflecting the administration’s priorities and the increasing importance of international collaboration. Leaders from other countries, including NATO members, will participate, emphasizing the global scale and the need to build bridges between technology and government.
A notable shift in the forum’s approach is the move from private discussions to more public, actionable outcomes. This year, the forum will release policy papers on key industrial areas such as rare earths, biotech competition with China, and supply chain resilience. These papers are the result of extensive pre-forum conversations with technology leaders, government officials, and regulators, aiming to produce tangible recommendations that can influence industry practices and policy. The intention is to foster alignment and create material products that can drive change in specific sectors.
The forum’s primary goal remains to rebuild and strengthen connections between the tech industry and government, providing a rare platform for open debate and unity across diverse perspectives. The organizers emphasize the importance of including voices with differing views, such as venture capitalists, tech entrepreneurs, and representatives from leading AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. The event is designed to be nonpartisan, focusing on the shared objective of ensuring U.S. leadership in technology, industry, and the economy, which are seen as vital for national security and opportunity creation.
Over the past decade, the relationship between Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. has evolved significantly. Where there was once reluctance among tech leaders to engage with government, there is now a merging of expertise, with individuals who have both technological and political backgrounds taking on key roles in the administration. The forum reflects this new reality, with speakers and participants who bring deep technical knowledge to policy discussions. The organizers are committed to maintaining this collaborative environment regardless of future changes in political leadership, ensuring that the forum remains a space for ongoing dialogue and partnership.
The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of U.S. tech companies in global alliances and industrial policy. Companies like Anduril and SpaceX are seen as central to both domestic and international partnerships, with other countries increasingly seeking collaboration with U.S. firms. The forum will feature leaders from around the world, underscoring the global nature of technological and industrial challenges. Additionally, advancements in space policy and regulation, such as those enabling Varda’s successful satellite missions, demonstrate the benefits of streamlined government processes and the potential for continued innovation through public-private cooperation.