CALL FOR TECHNOLOGIES

The Partnership for Defense Innovation’s (PDI) Defense & Security Technology Accelerator (DSTA) program has issued a call for technologies and is now accepting applications for the recruitment of companies in the security and defense technology sectors.  Companies should have a working prototype or are currently developing a product or services for use in the areas of defense, security and intelligence, and be able to demonstrate sufficient marketing potential. All companies should be for-profit and have the potential to create jobs while participating in the DSTA program.

Companies will be screened for business potential, scientific merit and commercial viability, quality of management team, the ability to utilize services offered within the DSTA program and economic impact on the community. DSTA companies may have the opportunity to sub-contract with PDI, who does work with such government agencies as the Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM), Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD) and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The screening, evaluation and selection process will involve formal discussions, submission of application materials, an interview of the applicant management team, and review by the DSTA Application Review Committee.

The DSTA program has recruited over 30 companies over the last four years which are developing needed technologies and innovation with an explicit desire to improve the current capabilities within the defense and security industrial sectors.  The latest companies to join the program include a leading developer for sports training and fan-engagement software who recently completed a motion capture video training program, which will be used for the Jumpmaster Course conducted at the Advanced Airborne School at Fort Bragg.  Another company has developed a body armor system, adapted from the current Department of Defense (DoD) body armor, which provides better air circulation and increases comfort while helping to eliminate injuries without compromising protection or comfort.  These are just a few examples of the technologies being recruited to the DSTA program for introduction into the DoD.

Selection Criteria

Businesses will be screened for a number of factors, as explained below, to ensure that they are entering the incubator at an appropriate time in their development, DSTA is likely to be able to add value, and the business is an appropriate one within DSTA’s sector focus.  All applicants to DSTA will be screened and selected based upon the following criteria:

• Business Potential - includes quality of business plan, assessment of technology or product being proposed, clarity of market focus, assessment of competition, and other business factors

• Scientific Merit and Commercial Viability – each application will be reviewed for scientific merit and commercial viability, which will include an assessment of the applicant’s ability to meet military, defense or security technical needs and/or commercial market opportunities

• Quality of Management Team - business and/or technical experience related to the focus of the startup

• Ability to Utilize DSTA Services - startup needs, networking potential and ability to assist the startup

• Economic Impact on Community - includes job creation potential, indirect economic benefit to contractors, vendors, etc.

In addition, each business must meet the following criteria to be accepted into DSTA:

1. Be a for-profit technology firm in the security and defense technology sectors, developing products or services for the commercial and/or military/defense marketplace.

2. Be in the early stages of development as a business, which generally means within the first two years of business operations, not yet profitable and still growing. However, exceptions may be made for small companies that are changing focus, "turn-around companies", and companies that are going through substantial restructuring or launching of new business projects.

3. Show the ability to pay rent at DSTA while they are developing a positive cash flow.

4. Present a management team that the DSTA staff believes can handle the technical aspects of the business or understand how to obtain needed technical assistance.

5. Identify a product, technology or service that, through DSTA’s assistance, can be developed into a successful business. DSTA clearly needs to understand the ways it can "add value" to the startup businesses.

6. Create potential economic impact by creating new jobs, creating work for vendors or contract agencies in the community or developing a technology or service deemed to have a potential impact in the marketplace.

7. Have the ability to leverage the partner relationships that DSTA will develop with the military, defense industry, universities, technology companies, and others.

8. Not be in direct competition with another startup already participating in DSTA.

Application Process

The screening, evaluation and selection process is critical. It involves informal discussions, submission of application materials, an interview of the applicant management team, and review by the DSTA Application Review Committee. All businesses must complete the application process in order to be considered for admission into DSTA.

The process actually starts before an application is completed when the DSTA General Manager speaks with the potential applicant briefly, and, whenever possible, gives the applicant a brief tour of DSTA. Then, businesses may be encouraged to submit an application or referred to other resources.

In order to be accepted into DSTA, all applicants must apply in one of two ways:

1. Submit a business plan

2. Submit a description of the business (In some cases, an applicant may already be operating and selling product, but not have a business plan.)

Information can be submitted to info@dstanc.org

For further information on the selection criteria and application process for the DSTA program, please  call Randy McLean at (910) 307-3012 or Gary Mitchell at (910) 307-3011.