Where Federal Advisors and Defense Companies, Connect

ABOUT

Where Defense Innovators and Top Federal Leaders Come Together to Shape What’s Next

The Signal Network by Demand Signal is a mission-driven community of top federal advisors across congressional engagement, defense business development, and federal branding, working together to level the playing field and bridge the valley of death.

Together, as one unified signal -we're transforming the battlefield of ideas into capabilities that define the battlefield—delivering the nation’s best innovations to the front lines, faster and with purpose.

NETWORK

Freelanced Consulting, Built for the Federal Game

Advisors, You’ve spent years building relationships and navigating the complexities of Congress, the DoD, and federal programs.

You've seen great ideas get ignored because decision-makers don't know they exist and taxpayer dollars wasted on entrenched players delivering mediocre solutions.

Most importantly, you know the stakes.

We need to move faster and we need to work together.

By combining our collective knowledge and vast networks, we can provide the tools and guidance to secure the edge our warfighters deserve.

As one unified signal.

Where Dual-Use Founders Meet the Federal Insiders Who Make It Happen

We believe leveling the playing field means arming innovators with the relationships and expertise they need to excel in marketing, business development, and congressional engagement—all in one seamless approach.

We build custom teams designed around each innovator's unique needs. The cornerstone of our approach is a three-person team, each member a specialist in one of these key areas.

As an advisor in the Signal Network, you set your hourly rate and engagement terms. We then match innovators with the right advisors based on their goals, budget, and timeline, facilitating introductions and building teams that drive results.

Who's in the Signal Network?

  • DS Hill Experts: The Influence Signal Team
    ✔ Former Members of Congress
    ✔ Former Appropriations and Armed Services PSMs
    ✔ Former Senior Staff on Appropriations and Armed Services
    ✔ Former House and Senate Senior Staff
  • DS Defense Experts: The Defense Signal Team
    ✔ Lt. Col. (Ret) Branch Chief - Combat Requirements, Army G3 Operations Directorate
    ✔ Retired 75th Ranger Regiment, SOCOM 
  • DS Homeland Experts: The Homeland Signal Team
    ✔ Former DHS Deputy Undersecretary
    ✔ Operations and Enforcement HSI - Experts in investigations and enforcement operations
    ✔ Retired CBP Agents -  Expertise in border security and operational challenges
  • DS Branding Experts: The Trust Signal Team
    ✔ Strategic Communications Experts and Federal Brand Builders
    ✔ CEO Positioning and PR Experts to Fortune 500 Companies
    ✔ Graphic Designers

Your Expertise. Your Terms. Real Impact.

Set your own rate, collaborate with peers, and get matched with innovators who need your expertise. We handle matchmaking, conflict checks, and admin, so you can spend your time where it matters most—leveling the playing field.

  • Set Your Rate. Share your expertise and set your hourly rate.
  • Get Matched. We run conflict checks and connect you with clients whose needs align with your expertise.
  • Make Impact. Lead teams that drive impact alongside the top federal experts in the game.
  • Collaborate, Grow, Be Part of Something Bigger. Access to insider knowledge through exclusive group chats and a network of the nation’s top experts working together to bridge the valley of death.

APPLY

Apply to Join the Nation’s Most Trusted Federal Network

Founder Note: Demand Signal was born out of frustration—and purpose. After more than a decade inside the halls of Congress, across the defense industry, and within the startup world, I saw the same story repeat itself: good ideas dying in systems too complex, too exclusive, and too slow to let them thrive.

Innovation isn’t the problem. Access is.

I started Demand Signal to change that.

Not just to build a company—but to create a community of like minded collaborators.

A community of people who believe government engagement shouldn’t be reserved for the few who already hold the keys and hold the belief that experience isn’t meant to be hoarded—it’s meant to be shared. That trust, compassion, and service are just as strategic as influence, funding, and scale.

The future of defense—and of government collaboration—depends on people who think differently, build differently, and lead with purpose.

If that’s you, you belong here.

Let’s get to work.

CATHERINE EDMONSON – FOUNDER & CEO
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DS Hill Experts: The Influence Signal

Capitol Hill Experts: Appropriations, legislative strategy, and budget insights.

Interested?
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Remote

DS Defense Experts: The Power Signal

DoD Strategists: Program of Record navigation, procurement, and military innovation.

Interested?
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Remote

DS Identity Experts: The Trust Signal

Federal Branding Professionals: Messaging, visual identity, and stakeholder trust.

Interested?
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