Foreign Ownership Control and Influence (FOCI) — The Role of Homeland Security Investigation

Event description

Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) is a balance that allows foreign investment in U.S. businesses while protecting sensitive data, systems and national-security-relevant technologies from foreign adversaries and countries of concern.

Think FOCI doesn’t apply to your company? Consider that in May 2026, the Department of Defense proposed a rule to extend FOCI requirements, potentially impacting thousands of additional businesses.

Join us with special guest Donald J. Letterle from the Department of U.S. Homeland Security for an informative session that walks you through what the threat of improper influence looks like including:

• Illegal exports
• Diversion of U.S. technology

Plus, we’ll take a few moments at the start of this session to share important resources from the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation (KSEF) about how you may be able to fund your company's next big idea through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR).

Who Should Attend

No matter what type of business you’re in, this session is a timely and helpful reminder about due diligence requirements related to foreign influence.

Facilitators: Donald J. Letterle, National Program Manager/Special Agent, HSI Counterproliferation Mission Center; Douglas Brent, Procurement Consultant, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator. NOTE: Zoom login instructions will be provided after eCenter registration is submitted.