I will discuss some recent work towards the understanding of the viability of strong composite dynamics as a model beyond the standard model. I will focus on the possibility that both the Higgs and a Dark Matter candidate may emerge as "pions" of the same confining theory. The approach followed is to define an underlying theory in terms of gauge interactions and fermions. This also allows to explore the origin of the interactions responsible for the mass of the top. Finally, I will briefly comment on the possible explanation of the recent di-boson excess in this framework.