A Generational Opportunity in Robotics (Most Aren't Ready)

Aviv Shapira, Guest

Co-Founder and CEO, XTEND

Aviv Shapira is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of XTEND, a global leader in AI-powered, human-guided autonomous systems serving defense, homeland security, and public safety organizations worldwide.
Under his leadership, XTEND has evolved into an operationally deployed robotics platform company, with thousands of systems fielded globally and active programs across multiple regions. He has led the development of XTEND’s software-first architecture built around XOS, the company’s proprietary operating system enabling scalable, mission-ready autonomous systems in complex environments.

Aviv is an aerospace engineer by training, with a background in rocket and space systems engineering. Prior to founding XTEND, he built and sold a company to Intel, which became the foundation for Intel Sports, and has received two Emmy Awards for technological innovation.
XTEND is Aviv’s fourth startup, reflecting his continued focus on building and scaling breakthrough technology companies.

He brings a multidisciplinary background spanning deep technology, systems architecture, and global business development, and is focused on advancing the intersection of AI and robotics to build systems that operate in the real world and help make it safer.

Bridget Bennett, Host

Digital Media Producer, MarketBeat

Always the talker, Bridget Bennett turned her passion for people and sharing stories into a career in communications. She started working as a journalist in high school at her local county paper in Ellendale, North Dakota. After moving to Dallas for college at Southern Methodist University, she quickly fell in love with visual storytelling and started her career as a news anchor and reporter.

Bridget brings her 12 years of experience in broadcast writing and video production to the MarketBeat content team. She's also an energetic, creative thinker and lifelong learner, so she's always bringing new ideas. Bridget is thrilled to be part of an innovative team that is constantly looking to create useful content people can connect with.

When she's not working, Bridget is a busy mom of three and can be found at just about every activity or outing in town. She is also an adoption and foster care advocate and helps support foster children and families through her nonprofit volunteer work. She and her husband, Jason, grew up together and have spent their lives exploring the world through travel, hiking and ministry.