Many mind-blowing ideas are being birthed in U.S. startup companies, but the Pentagon largely misses out on them. For our big bureaucracy, awarding a contract in months is a flash. The Pentagon must do business at the speed of ideas: inspiring and accelerating startup creativity toward national security challenges. The smaller the company, the faster we must move. We accept that challenge. Welcome to Air Force Pitch Day.
“Pitch Days are new fast tracks for startups to work with the Air Force. Modeled after commercial investment pitch competitions, our goal is to award $40 million to startups using one-day, one-page contracts. These awards use convenient credit card payments— we want partnering with the Air Force to be easy and energizing!” said Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
Topic Types
We are excited to see your ideas! Our mission is broad, so Pitch Day is open to all ideas furthering national security in air, space and cyberspace. Our Inaugural Pitch Day will have special emphasis on three areas.
- Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Network
- Battlefield Air Operations Family of Systems Technologies
- Digital Technologies
Eligibility Requirements
All startups and small businesses that are:
- U.S. based for-profit Business
- More than 50 percent owned by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens
- No more than 500 employees
- Additional requirements apply
For more information about other eligibility requirements visit https://www.sbir.gov/about
How to Submit
Companies will have until Feb. 6, 8 p.m. EST, to submit proposals and pitch decks. Companies submit applications via https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/. Air Force will notify selected companies for in-person pitches by Feb. 15.
For more resources, click here.