AFWERX SBIR/STTR event to help limit barriers of entry for small businesses working with the U.S. Air Force

  • Published
  • By Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Tech Warrior Enterprise (TWE) – an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program - will host its free virtual Tech Warrior Medical OPS event for all qualified small businesses from July 19-23, 2021.
 
TWE understands that, while many small businesses have technology that will benefit the warfighter, government procurement often comes with entry barriers.
 
To limit these barriers, during the virtual five-day event, U.S.-based small businesses will have the opportunity to participate in a two-part demonstration of their Tactical Combat Causality Care (TCCC), physical therapy, or mental health technologies.
 
The first part consists of private pitches. During this portion, small businesses have the ability to showcase their innovations to U.S. Air Force warfighters, government tech scouts, and industry subject matter experts (SMEs) in order to gain early, real-time feedback to improve their chances of government procurement and accelerate technology maturation. The second part consists of public pitches. Participating small businesses also have the ability to give non-proprietary presentations for the potential gain of commercial investors and joint venture opportunities.
 
Not ready to pitch?—Not a problem! All are welcome to engage in the public education room to learn about government needs and focus areas, small business resources, and investment opportunities.
 
TWE is limiting demonstrations to only the top 20 small businesses with medical technologies that are ready to put their innovations in the hands of the warfighter and accelerate maturation. 
 
Don’t miss this event! Registration is open now until 12 a.m. EDT on June 26, 2021.
 
“The U.S. Air Force is constantly searching for the next generation technology to make our warfighters safer and more efficient,” said Joey Angeles, division chief of the Department of the Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Office. “As agile innovators, we believe small business are the key to this goal. Tech Warrior always showcases some of our nation’s best and we can’t wait to see what this medical OPS event brings.”

About AFRL
 
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 11,000 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.
 
About AFWERX

AFWERX, a Technology Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the innovation arm of the Department Air Force, transitions agile, affordable, and accelerated capabilities by teaming innovative technology developers with Airmen and Guardian talent. In AFWERX, AFVentures expands the Defense Industrial base for advanced technologies, Spark empowers Airmen and Guardian talent, and Prime drives transition to operational capability. Teaming across academia, industry, investment, interagency, and international partners is essential to expanding technology, talent, and transition of dual-use capabilities. Last year, Fast Company ranked AFWERX #16 of Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available at: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/

About The AFWERX SBIR/STTR Program
 
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program was established by Congress with the goal of identifying small businesses that could provide a solution to the warfighter in a faster, more efficient manner than was presently available. This program is reducing barriers and accelerating processes, seeding the future of the U.S. Air Force through innovation and forward-thinking technology.
 
About Tech Warrior Enterprise
 
Tech Warrior Enterprise is a technology demonstration program established in 2017 by the AFWERX SBIR/STTR program. Tech Warrior Enterprise provides facilities and technical evaluation support services to test new technologies via demonstration in relevant settings and in collaboration with government users.