The NSIN Defense Innovation Accelerator (DIA) matches breakthrough Department of Defense (DoD) lab technology with teams of entrepreneurs to solve the real-world problems of DoD and commercial customers. Entrepreneurs work with DoD lab inventors, mentors and subject matter experts from the Government and private sectors, and world class instructors to assess the market viability and the potential to commercialize DoD lab technologies.
DIA is an intensive 4-month cohort-based program executed in two phases: customer discovery and early company formation. Successful teams have gone on to form companies, license the technology from the labs and pursue various funding opportunities.
The NSIN Defense Innovation Accelerator (DIA) matches breakthrough Department of Defense (DoD) lab technology with teams of entrepreneurs to solve the real-world problems of DoD and commercial customers. Entrepreneurs work with DoD lab inventors, mentors and subject matter experts from the Government and private sectors, and world class instructors to assess the market viability and the potential to commercialize DoD lab technologies.
DIA is an intensive 4-month cohort-based program executed in two phases: customer discovery and early company formation. Successful teams have gone on to form companies, license the technology from the labs and pursue various funding opportunities.
What is the DOE Studio?
Inspired by the 54-hour challenge U.S. Marines must face at the end of boot camp, Inland Empire NavalX Tech Bridge's Crucible program applies the principles of grit, critical thinking, and perseverance towards entrepreneurial development in the Inland Empire. Crucible is the point of innovation to further the mission of NavalX and Tech Bridge by bringing together technology and Inland Empire's diverse entrepreneurs, technologists, and innovators through technology commercialization.
Crucible Challenge Statements
Click through the tabs below to learn about the challenges Crucible is looking to solve in the Inland Empire.
Our warfighters and first responders serve on the front lines daily. They provide services to protect, defend and care for the communities and people they serve. They are the first to respond, react and arrive on the scene and perform in high-stress environments that require the utmost mental and physical health. Given the nature of their work, warfighters and first responders are often plagued with medical and physical injuries as a result of heavy or poorly designed equipment, techniques to provide services, on the job dangers such as airborne biological hazards, lack of information around current health or fitness, and other considerations.
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Crucible seeks to develop concepts, technologies, products, or platforms that will safeguard our warfighters and first responders before, during, or after they have responded to a mission or an incident. First responders typically include police officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, paramedics, and rescuers.
Potential areas include but are not limited to wearables, detection devices, disposal systems, biosensors, ergonomic equipment through design or materials, fitness platforms/devices, or medtech.
Ideal Applicants: Researchers who are Post Grad, Post Doc, and/or part of an R&D/Engineering/Innovation team
Program Period: Fall - Winter 2023
Time Commitment: 8 weeks, about 10 hours per week
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Crucible Primer - Internal Innovation is a cohort-based experiential learning program with full support and coaching. The main objective is to support researchers and graduate students and enable them to gain an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to build local capacity and grow the local solver community.
Ideal Applicants: Previous and first-time founders; technologists, businesspeople, spokespeople, operations specialists, and creative thinkers
Program Period: Early 2024
Time Commitment: 16 weeks, about 20 hours per week
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The Crucible Startup Studio is designed for solvers in the Inland Empire who are innovative thinkers dedicated to launching a venture to address a Crucible Challenge Statement. We are seeking diverse skill sets and backgrounds such as technologists, businesspeople, spokespeople, operations specialists, and creative thinkers. Previous founders and first-time founders are encouraged to apply.
There is no cost to participate. The program is designed to allow for individuals who are working full-time to participate.
Ideal Applicants: Existing technology startups in the Inland Empire or committed to expanding into the Inland Empire
Program Period: Early 2024
Time Commitment: 10 weeks
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The Crucible Accelerator is for early-stage ventures in the Inland Empire or ventures committed to expanding into the Inland Empire and seeking to solve a Crucible Challenge Statement. The goal of the program is to take ESVs interested in growing in the Inland Empire to the next level with mentorship, educational programming, and strategic exposure. There is no cost to participate.