In July 2014, Lincoln Labs, a startup advocacy group, invited conservative tech leaders to San Francisco to meet and talk about how to infuse the world of politics with startup culture. The Reboot conference was a big success, connecting old friends with new ideas.

Lincoln Labs is now taking the show east with a #Reboot conference in Washington, DC and already it’s off to a smashing success.

I appreciated the opportunity to be on a panel at the event in San Francisco, and while I can’t be there for the one in DC, what Lincoln Lab is doing is so exciting. By bringing fresh optimism and perspective to conservative circles, and creating a forum where people can meet and exchange ideas, they are making the Republican party more innovative.

Their challenge will be translating that optimism into action. We’re all too familiar with the corrupt antics of some long-time GOP operatives. They have their slice of pie and they will fiercely protect that slice, even if it means losing elections.

Ideally, entrenched vendors would participate in an effort to cultivate valuable outside perspectives, building an ecosystem of innovation. The resulting energy would not only create enthusiasm and momentum, but also build support for efforts that could be led by incumbent companies, strengthening their leadership and brand.

I hope the innovators at Lincoln Labs break through that wall. I hope their ideas and the community they build overpower both the close-minded consultants and the perennial naysayers. I hope their contributions lead to policy and political wins in 2016 and beyond.

Check out the latest from the #RebootCongress happenings via the Storify story below.