Defense Innovation for the Warfighter: Accelerating Technology Development through Defense Industry Acquisition Innovation” was the theme of a major conference presented by the National Defense Industry Association’s New England chapter in mid-October.
The standing-room-only event, held with host sponsor Venture Café at the Cambridge Innovation Cent er (CIC) in Cambridge, MA, provided the 635+ attendees with the latest information on defense R&D business model innovation and advanced technology development opportunities in the defense industry.
Major panels focused on:
- The DoD’s Rapid Innovation Agencies, including the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx), which described its new fast track contraction process; and the Navy Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) program, which offered information on preparing for the next round of RIF innovation funding.
- Defense Contractor briefings, in which leading defense contractors and contract research organizations described their innovation needs and how they are streaming their contracting processes for startups and small businesses.
Breakout and networking sessions followed.
“NDIA/New England’s diverse membership includes small and large businesses, research and academic institutions, and service providers,” said NDIA/NE President J. Clarke Orzalli. “By presenting events such as this, we take advantage of the unique innovation ecosystem that exists in the New England region to maximize our value to existing and future members.