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.
FedTech, in partnership with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), is recruiting entrepreneurs to explore launching a new venture through the NSIN Foundry 2023 program.
The NSIN Foundry program matches cutting-edge Department of Defense (DoD) technologies with teams of entrepreneurs during intensive, five-month cohorts. Entrepreneurs work closely with lab inventors, mentors, coaches, subject matter experts, and DoD end-users to assess the market viability and commercialization potential of the technologies. Successful teams form new companies, license the technologies, and develop solutions that impact the DoD and the private sector.
NSIN is a government program office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OSD(R&E)) that collaborates with major universities and the venture community to develop solutions that drive national security innovation. NSIN operates two portfolios of programs and services: Talent and Venture. Together, these portfolios form a pipeline of activities and solutions that accelerate the pace of defense innovation.
FedTech is a primary delivery partner for the NSIN Foundry 2023 program.
Applications for NSIN Foundry 2023 are closed.
$50k in cash prizes available
This year, NSIN Foundry will award up to $50,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes to the teams that demonstrate the strongest potential to commercialize DoD technology and produce capabilities that benefit the DoD and the private sector. We will recognize the top-performing teams during our Cohort Showcase at the end of the program by granting a total of six prizes at the finale. The prize breakdown is as follows:
First Place:
$20,000
Second Place:
$10,000
Third-Sixth Place:
$5,000 (each)
Additionally, all startups created through Foundry are welcome to apply to additional NSIN programs.
How it works:
First, Foundry identifies cutting-edge DoD lab technologies. Along with vetting each technology that we bring into the program, we also recruit aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs who are matched together in teams of three. Entrepreneur teams are then paired with DoD lab technologies based on their preferences and expertise. Teams are then provided instruction and mentorship during a five-month cohort during which they assess the commercialization potential of the technologies. Successful teams form companies and license DoD technologies, and the NSIN network helps these startups pursue new opportunities.
Since this program is geared towards building a startup from the ground up, existing startups or founders who want to execute a specific idea are better suited for FedTech Accelerators or other NSIN opportunities.
The application process:
Testimonials
"The Foundry program equipped me to pursue a completely new opportunity: entrepreneurship….We officially organized as a company after the showcase and are currently pursuing development funding to bring our product to the market."
Sara Myers
Entrepreneur Participant,
Co-Founder of ELVEE,
DIA '21 Showcase Day 1st Place Winner
"I was looking for direct entrepreneurship experience and got exactly that and more. I could not have dreamed for a better opportunity."
James Feldhacker
Entrepreneur Participant,
Co-Founder of PXR Technologies
"[Foundry] was transformative for me - I often dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, but didn't know how or where to get started…Before [Foundry], I knew next to nothing about deep tech, IP licensing, or how to actually build a startup. The program is an invaluable opportunity to learn and grow..."
Karlin Younger
Entrepreneur Participant,
Co-Founder of Fireflyht
Discover the companies created in last year's program:
