Mike Geertsen

Mr. Mike Geertsen is the deputy director of the Microsystems Technology Office. His career spans a wide range of organizations and industries with his primary focus on taking technology from concept to product. He returned to DARPA in August 2024 after founding his second startup, Apira Technologies, which explores advanced digital human technologies. His first time at DARPA was as a program manager in the Information Innovation Office from 2011 to 2015; his programs focused on the intersection of AI and computer vision. He received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for his efforts.

Geertsen also spent a number of years at Microsoft during two different stints, envisioning and shipping simulation products in the company’s entertainment division and later working on cloud solutions as part of their government team. He is passionate about the art and science of innovation. Geertsen created and taught a graduate course on applied innovation at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and he is always looking for new ways to engage with private sector technologists for national security impact.