Defense innovation programs, test events and labs
Register and sell
- SAM.govRegister your company, which most federal bids require, and search posted contract opportunities.sam.gov (opens in a new tab)
- DIU (Defense Innovation Unit)Brings commercial technology into the Defense Department. Its Commercial Solutions Openings start with a short solution brief and can lead to a prototype contract.diu.mil (opens in a new tab)
- ATI (Advanced Technology International)Manages consortia that award prototype projects through Other Transaction agreements. Join a consortium to bid on its projects.ati.org (opens in a new tab)
- Example government topicsWhat the technology needs government teams post on Outrider look like.Outrider examples
Fund R&D
- SBIR and STTRR&D awards for small businesses from 11 federal agencies, with no equity taken. STTR adds a research institution as a partner.sbir.gov (opens in a new tab)
- SBIR Phase II playbookOur guide to the Phase II proposal, with a free Reviewer Scorecard for your draft.Outrider guide
- AFWERXThe Department of the Air Force’s innovation arm. It runs the department’s SBIR and STTR programs.afwerx.com (opens in a new tab)
Test with operators
- ANTX (Advanced Naval Technology Exercise)Naval demonstrations run by the Naval Research and Development Establishment, where companies show technology to operators. ANTX runs its tech scouting on Outrider.antx.org (opens in a new tab)
- REPMUSNATO’s yearly exercise for uncrewed maritime systems, hosted by the Portuguese Navy, where companies trial systems with allied navies. REPMUS runs its tech scouting on Outrider.mc.nato.int (opens in a new tab)
- JIFX (Joint Interagency Field Experimentation)The Naval Postgraduate School’s quarterly field experiments, open to companies, universities, government and allies.nps.edu (opens in a new tab)
- SOFWERX assessment eventsRun with U.S. Special Operations Command. Companies answer an operator challenge, and the ones selected demonstrate to government reviewers.sofwerx.org (opens in a new tab)
- BlueTIDEPolaris Tech Bridge’s yearly in-water technology demonstration in Newport, Rhode Island, held with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.polaristechbridge.org (opens in a new tab)
Labs, hubs and licensing
- FATHOMWERXAn innovation lab in Port Hueneme, California, where Navy, university and industry teams work together. Outrider co-founder Bryan Went led its founding and sits on its board.fathomwerx.com (opens in a new tab)
- Polaris Tech BridgeA Rhode Island tech bridge, formerly 401 Tech Bridge, for companies building maritime and undersea technology.polaristechbridge.org (opens in a new tab)
- TechLinkHelps companies license inventions from Defense Department labs.techlinkcenter.org (opens in a new tab)
Tell us about a program we should add.