To Create. To Make. To Shape.
About Skapa
Where Innovation Meets Action
In today’s fast-paced world, technological advancements are constant—but the real challenge lies in transforming innovation into practical solutions that work at scale, wherever they’re needed most. That’s what we do at Skapa.
Skapa is an operationally focused incubator within Saab, Inc. and a symbol of our commitment to continuous evolution and excellence.
We partner directly with end-users in defense and security, building transformative technology that meets the moment. Every project we take on is an opportunity to improve, challenge expectations and deliver at the speed of need.
Our Approach: The Skapa Innovation Flywheel
Innovation at Skapa doesn’t follow a straight line. It moves in a continuous cycle of discovery and delivery—a model we call the Flywheel, built around four key phases:
Imagine
We begin at the whiteboard—our most powerful tool. A diverse team of engineers, partners and end-users come together to reframe problems from every angle and imagine bold, grounded solutions.
Create
We transform those ideas into minimum viable products (MVPs) through rapid, cross-disciplinary collaboration—a “team of teams” approach that reflects the essence of Skapa, Swedish for “to create.”
Iterate
We move fast. Prototypes are tested in real-world conditions, refined through direct user feedback and pushed to their limits—because true innovation lives just past the point of failure.
Intersect
Validated solutions are scaled and deployed, ensuring our front-line operators get the right capabilities, right when they need them.
Why Skapa
At Skapa, we don’t believe in impossible. We believe in creating solutions that matter—with speed, impact and purpose. Because those on the front lines deserve nothing less than the very best.
The Skapa Podcast invites visionary leaders across industries to share their ideal future, unbound by current constraints. Together, we explore what it would take to turn these visions into reality—discussing the necessary innovations, strategic shifts, and collaborative efforts to bring about transformative change in defense and security.
News & Stories
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Saab to Demonstrate New Naval Autonomous Systems Capability at WEST 2025
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Enforcer 3 Research Platform Paves the Way for the Future of Naval Autonomy
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Saab Secures Contract for Maven Program Artificial Intelligence Modeling
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Skapa Celebrates 100 Days of Progress
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Voices from Saab: Two Weeks on the Ground with U.S. CENTCOM
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What Does it Take to Operate at the Forefront of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning?
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Shaping the Future: Devaki Raj, Saab Strategy Office’s New Chief Digital and AI Officer, Discusses Artificial Intelligence with U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
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Saab’s Autonomy and AI Team Energizes Smarter Products
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Fighting Wildfires with Saab’s AI Platform
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Former Head of Innovation for NATO joins Saab, Inc.
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Saab completes acquisition of CrowdAI in the U.S.
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Saab Announces New Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Saab, Inc.
Our Team
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Michael BrasseurVP, General Manager, Skapa & Chief Strategy Officer, Saab, Inc.A former ship captain, Michael has sailed the world’s oceans with friends and allies.
Michael founded and served as the first Commodore of Task Force 59, the US Navy's first dedicated Robotics and AI task force, and strongly contributing to NATO's innovative efforts. A former ship captain, Michael has sailed the world’s oceans with friends and allies. His journey reflects a dedication to creating the future of defense by dreaming BIG and delivering FAST.
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Devaki RajChief Digital and AI Officer, Saab, Inc.As a game-changing leader and former CEO, Devaki is shaping the future of AI strategy and policy.
Before joining Saab, Devaki founded CrowdAI and served as CEO, focusing on pioneering computer vision technologies. Her recognition as a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree and her leadership in Washington, D.C., highlight her influence in shaping future AI strategies and policies.
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Devesh Upadhyay, PhDDirector, Group for Research and Innovation in DefenseDevesh bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact, shaping AI and autonomous solutions that don’t just work—they fit.
Devesh brings a range of knowledge across autonomy, artificial intelligence, design and optimization disciplines, shaped by academic and broad industry experience. Devesh focuses on optimizing solutions fit to problems, maximizing adoption and ensuring Skapa's innovations are both fundamentally grounded and operationally effective.
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Chris Morris, PhDDirector, Digital & AIChris is passionate about designing AI systems that address real-world challenges in defense and autonomy.
Chris is a seasoned R&D leader with deep expertise in computer vision, machine learning and autonomous systems, bringing over a decade of experience collaborating with organizations such as DARPA, the U.S. Navy, the Air Force and the intelligence community.
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Julia AllenChief Technology Officer, Saab, Inc.Julia lives the triple helix and breathes life into any team working together to solve problems.
Julia brings a range of knowledge across autonomy and artificial intelligence disciplines from undersea to space domains, shaped by academic, industry, and military experience. She focuses on maximizing solution adoption, unravelling complex tech challenges and ensuring Skapa's innovations are both effective and understandable.
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Peter MirisolaDirector, Naval AutonomyPete operates where pressure is highest and impact is greatest—driving innovation that keeps warfighters ahead of the threat.
Pete’s deep knowledge and experience across maritime operations fosters resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking in high-stakes environments. He excels in coordinating complex missions, managing resources under pressure, and making rapid decisions. Pete advocates and works tirelessly for advancements in technology—ranging from electronic warfare systems to unmanned vehicles—enhancing operational capabilities, survivability and situational awareness for warfighters.
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Rome RuizHead of Growth & PartnershipsFrom commanding U.S. Navy warships in combat environments to scaling multimillion-dollar defense tech companies, Rome leads at the intersection of national security and innovation.
A seasoned tech executive with 20+ years of leadership across the defense tech ecosystem, Rome drives innovation and growth for complex, high-tech organizations in government, commercial and international arenas. A former U.S. Navy Captain of advanced warfighting platforms and joint forces in combat environments, he has helped lead multimillion-dollar defense tech companies with strategic vision, deep government and industry networks, and a mission-driven, results approach.
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Mary MattinglyChief of StaffA results-driven professional with a passion for mission-focused execution, Mary brings deep industry experience, overseeing transformative initiatives for government and military organizations.
Now serving as Chief of Staff, Mary operates as a strategic advisor and trusted right hand to leadership—aligning priorities, driving decision-making and ensuring seamless coordination across the organization. With a track record of delivering under pressure, Mary blends operational excellence with big picture thinking to connect vision with execution and move critical initiatives forward.
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Michael BrasseurVP, General Manager, Skapa & Chief Strategy Officer, Saab, Inc.A former ship captain, Michael has sailed the world’s oceans with friends and allies.
Michael founded and served as the first Commodore of Task Force 59, the US Navy's first dedicated Robotics and AI task force, and strongly contributing to NATO's innovative efforts. A former ship captain, Michael has sailed the world’s oceans with friends and allies. His journey reflects a dedication to creating the future of defense by dreaming BIG and delivering FAST.
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Julia AllenChief Technology Officer, Saab, Inc.Julia lives the triple helix and breathes life into any team working together to solve problems.
Julia brings a range of knowledge across autonomy and artificial intelligence disciplines from undersea to space domains, shaped by academic, industry, and military experience. She focuses on maximizing solution adoption, unravelling complex tech challenges and ensuring Skapa's innovations are both effective and understandable.
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Devaki RajChief Digital and AI Officer, Saab, Inc.As a game-changing leader and former CEO, Devaki is shaping the future of AI strategy and policy.
Before joining Saab, Devaki founded CrowdAI and served as CEO, focusing on pioneering computer vision technologies. Her recognition as a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree and her leadership in Washington, D.C., highlight her influence in shaping future AI strategies and policies.
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Peter MirisolaDirector, Naval AutonomyPete operates where pressure is highest and impact is greatest—driving innovation that keeps warfighters ahead of the threat.
Pete’s deep knowledge and experience across maritime operations fosters resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking in high-stakes environments. He excels in coordinating complex missions, managing resources under pressure, and making rapid decisions. Pete advocates and works tirelessly for advancements in technology—ranging from electronic warfare systems to unmanned vehicles—enhancing operational capabilities, survivability and situational awareness for warfighters.
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Devesh Upadhyay, PhDDirector, Group for Research and Innovation in DefenseDevesh bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact, shaping AI and autonomous solutions that don’t just work—they fit.
Devesh brings a range of knowledge across autonomy, artificial intelligence, design and optimization disciplines, shaped by academic and broad industry experience. Devesh focuses on optimizing solutions fit to problems, maximizing adoption and ensuring Skapa's innovations are both fundamentally grounded and operationally effective.
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Rome RuizHead of Growth & PartnershipsFrom commanding U.S. Navy warships in combat environments to scaling multimillion-dollar defense tech companies, Rome leads at the intersection of national security and innovation.
A seasoned tech executive with 20+ years of leadership across the defense tech ecosystem, Rome drives innovation and growth for complex, high-tech organizations in government, commercial and international arenas. A former U.S. Navy Captain of advanced warfighting platforms and joint forces in combat environments, he has helped lead multimillion-dollar defense tech companies with strategic vision, deep government and industry networks, and a mission-driven, results approach.
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Chris Morris, PhDDirector, Digital & AIChris is passionate about designing AI systems that address real-world challenges in defense and autonomy.
Chris is a seasoned R&D leader with deep expertise in computer vision, machine learning and autonomous systems, bringing over a decade of experience collaborating with organizations such as DARPA, the U.S. Navy, the Air Force and the intelligence community.
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Mary MattinglyChief of StaffA results-driven professional with a passion for mission-focused execution, Mary brings deep industry experience, overseeing transformative initiatives for government and military organizations.
Now serving as Chief of Staff, Mary operates as a strategic advisor and trusted right hand to leadership—aligning priorities, driving decision-making and ensuring seamless coordination across the organization. With a track record of delivering under pressure, Mary blends operational excellence with big picture thinking to connect vision with execution and move critical initiatives forward.
Contact Skapa
2805 Dickens St.
San Diego, CA 92106
We foster innovation by working collaboratively across Saab. Skapa is initiated and empowered by Saab, Inc.© 2024