Inside the Crucible-Born Partnership Advancing Off-Grid Tech

Crucible Accelerator Fall 2026 is now recruiting. Learn more here

In the rapidly evolving fields of tactical communications and energy resilience, a new partnership between Khasm Labs and New Use Energy Solutions (NUE) represents a powerful advancement in mission-critical, off-grid technologies. The relationship between these two companies was catalyzed during the 2025 Crucible Accelerator, powered by the NavalX Inland Empire Tech Bridge and operated by FedTech, underscoring the program’s unique role in forging high-impact collaborations between deep tech ventures.

Khasm Labs is the developer of KTEN (Khasm Tactical Edge Network), a pioneering, fully off-grid private 5G network engineered for deployment in remote and complex environments. Built on carrier-grade 5G technology and designed with portability and speed in mind, KTEN provides secure, high-performance connectivity in under 10 minutes, supporting industries ranging from logistics and emergency services to defense and critical infrastructure.

Complementing KTEN’s agile communications platform, NUE delivers rugged, portable battery systems and solar-powered generators built for high-mobility scenarios. With extensive real-world experience, including deployments supporting frontline communications for the Ukrainian military, NUE’s technology enables clean, stealthy power in environments where traditional fuel-based generators are unsafe or impractical.

“When we saw what Khasm was presenting at Crucible, it was immediately clear—our technologies were naturally complementary,” said Paul Shmotolokha, CEO of New Use Energy. “They needed remote power, and we specialize in providing just that.”

A joint deployment during a military field exercise validated the integrated KTEN + NUE system, enabling real-time data transmission without any reliance on grid infrastructure. “This is a mission-aligned partnership aiming to deliver real-world impact,” said Jim Brisimitzis, Founder and General Partner at Khasm Labs. “Together, we’re ensuring that frontline teams are never left in silence.”

“This partnership is rooted in shared values,” Shmotolokha added. “Crucible gave us the setting to recognize that, and we’ve been building forward since.”

The combined solution has the potential to transform operations across emergency response, disaster recovery, national defense, and critical infrastructure protection. As Scott Waller, CTO of Khasm Labs and a retired first responder, put it: “Ensuring reliable connectivity isn’t just a matter of convenience; it’s lifesaving. In crisis scenarios, every second counts.”

From FedTech’s perspective, this collaboration demonstrates how innovation programs like Crucible can unlock enduring value far beyond a single cohort. By bringing together founders, technologists, and mission-driven leaders, Crucible cultivates partnerships that extend into the real world, where they can deliver measurable, often lifesaving results.

As Khasm Labs and NUE move forward, their partnership reflects the best of what FedTech aims to enable: visionary founders accelerating deployment-ready technology that meets the moment, whether in a warzone, a wildfire, or a hurricane-ravaged community.
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Crucible Accelerator Fall 2026 is now recruiting. Learn more here