Crucible Afterburner

Crucible Afterburner, powered by NavalX's Northwest Tech Bridge in partnership with FedTech, offers customized support and advisory services for growth-stage ventures aiming to transition their technologies into the Department of Defense (DoD). Targeting companies with high TRL (6-9), this program provides a comprehensive pathway to DoD acquisition through tailored market intelligence, expert advisory services, and strategic matchmaking with prime partners.

Tailored Pathway to DoD Acquisition Crucible Afterburner is designed for growth-stage companies that are ready to scale their innovative technologies within the Department of Defense. With a focus on transitioning technologies with high technology readiness levels (TRL 6-9), the program helps companies understand DoD acquisition processes, identify Navy-specific needs, and engage with key decision-makers.

Program Structure The six-month program begins with an initial assessment of your company's capabilities and needs, followed by market research and expert advisor matching. With regular meetings and advisory support, your company will refine its strategy for navigating the DoD ecosystem. FedTech’s extensive research ensures that your efforts are focused on the most relevant Navy needs and competitive landscape.

Expert Advisory Network Through Crucible Afterburner, you gain access to a dedicated advisor who provides personalized support, along with a network of subject matter experts from industries such as defense technology, cybersecurity, and IP law. Advisors help identify gaps in your current market strategy and provide actionable recommendations to align your product with DoD requirements.

Funding and Matchmaking Opportunities FedTech works closely with prime contractors, offering opportunities to form strategic partnerships. Additionally, Crucible Afterburner connects you with venture capitalists actively investing in dual-use technologies, giving you access to both public and private funding sources.

Comprehensive Support Services Whether it’s navigating compliance with DCAA or understanding CMMC requirements, the program offers support across multiple domains critical to successful DoD partnerships. You also receive intellectual property assistance, including patent drafting and freedom-to-operate analyses, ensuring your company is protected as it scales within the defense sector.

A Proven Path to Success Crucible Afterburner has been tailored to meet the needs of companies already demonstrating market traction but looking to expand into defense. The program leverages FedTech's expertise in commercialization, matched with Navy and defense sector insights, providing a structured yet flexible framework to ensure your technology is ready for DoD transition.

By the end of the program, your company will have a detailed action plan and a network of contacts within the DoD, primes, and VCs, ensuring you are well-positioned to secure contracts and scale effectively within the defense sector.

Challenge Statement

As DoD sites face increasing threats from small and rapidly evolving unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), there is an urgent need to identify and leverage adaptable commercial or defense technologies to detect, track, and mitigate these threats across diverse and constrained operational environments. 

Current solutions may not fully address the unique needs of fixed and semi-fixed DoD locations, where layered, low-collateral, and rapidly deployable counter-UAS capabilities are essential. Exploring available systems from commercial sensors to integrated defeat mechanisms will help close this gap and enhance site security.

Evaluation Rubric

Applications will be evaluated based on five weighted criteria (i) problem alignment, (ii) demand signal, (iii) differentiation, (iv) development status, and (v) program fit. For a more detailed layout of what we are looking for in these categories, please see the table below.

Intelligent Infrastructure (I2) for Perimeter Security and CUAS

The I2 will provide a dual use utility to enable autonomous systems for perimeter security and non-kinetic effects against unfriendly UAS. The I2 will provide the core enablers to help all autonomous systems operate more safely and efficiently. Moreover, the same I2 utility will be used to enable low cost CUAS. I2 will use Modular Open Standards Architecture (MOSA) to remove barriers to market entry, spur innovation, and accelerate the operationalization of autonomous systems.