Commercial technologies explored opportunities to solve mission-critical demands of DoD partners at the 2024 NSIN Vector cohort showcase day.

A cohort of 20 early-stage companies developed their commercial innovations to meet the technology demands of the Department of Defense (DoD) across fields in advanced sensing, contested communications, command and control, data sharing, and resilient position navigation and timing during the 2024 National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Vector accelerator.

By eliminating cumbersome policies and acquisition barriers between ventures and the DoD, NSIN Vector serves as an onramp for high-performing commercial companies to develop, adapt, mature, and deliver dual-use capabilities for the Department at speed and scale.

“The Vector program is a catalyst for early-stage companies, equipping them with the essential knowledge and connections needed to thrive within the DoD,” explained DIU Deputy Director of Commercial Operations Liz McNally. “This accelerator is helping the DoD access new technologies needed to address particular problems and propel solutions.”

During the accelerator, ventures received guidance for successfully working with the DoD and navigating the current technology demand signals of warfighter needs, participated in technology demonstrations and conversations with investors to understand how to best market and sustain their technology in the defense ecosystem, and received mentoring with government and industry professionals. At the concluding showcase day of the cohort, the ventures pitched their dual-use technologies to potential DoD partners and for an opportunity to receive $50,000.

Startup Thin Air Nav won the $50,000 for its solution to ward off the likelihood of jamming or spoofing from adversaries in space-based systems with an on-demand, ground-based positioning system for aerial navigation in Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied and degraded areas.

“To address the challenges of space-based signals, which often experience weakness and jamming, leading to vulnerabilities… [we] have developed a ground-based approach using permanent stations and transceivers that can enhance reliability,” said Blake Woodrow, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Thin Air Nav. “This method offers a low-cost, adaptable solution that provides an alternative to traditional space-based systems.”

Further harnessing the collective power of the defense innovation ecosystem, the ventures also had an opportunity to expand their pitch audience to more venture capitalists, government officials, and investors through a showcase day viewing party hosted at both the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Arizona and Kansas.

“Your product has to be relevant to what is going on in the market, targeting new and emerging threats. We need to continue to procure technology to help the warfighter win,” said Garuth Acharya, Principal at 8090 Industries, on a panel during the showcase. “If you can build a great product with a long product life cycle and sell it to the government, that’s important. There are more avenues that are open that weren’t before, we have to move with the moving target of the demand of the market. Innovate to what the DoD needs.”

View the NSIN Vector Lookbook here.

About the Defense Innovation Unit

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, DC, DIU is the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies across the country.

About National Security Innovation Network

NSIN is a program office in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), nested within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). We are set up to collaborate with a wide variety of innovators to include universities, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and start-ups. We create opportunities for collaboration across communities and connect those that might not traditionally work in national security. Together, we help drive national security innovation and develop technologies that directly support the individuals responsible for protecting our country.

For more information or interview requests with Team NSIN, please contact us at [email protected].