Transitioning Critical Technologies to the Frontlines
There's no single playbook for tech transition. The network partners featured below have each found their own path through a complex ecosystem, with WIN by their side every step of the way.
In modern operations, timing and precise positioning are make-or-break. GPS technology usually alleviates the burden of precise operation, but what about when GPS is no longer a guarantee? That’s when a technology becomes a vulnerability for the warfighters relying on it.
“A primary benefit of working with WIN is that they have given us situational awareness that we just don't have time to develop. Our win rate has gone up on proposals, and our wasted effort has gone down because they help us figure out how to spend our time well.”
Fraser Kitchell
KEF Robotics | Co-Founder and CEO
Morehead State University is internationally recognized for small satellite development and operates one of the only undergraduate space systems engineering programs in the country. Through WIN, they're connecting that world-class research capacity to the defense and aerospace industries that need it most.
“…a lot of times you have the solution, but you need to know who has the problem. Being able to make those connections is key, and having a robust network of people that can make those connections is absolutely a necessity."
Dr. Elijah Jensen
Morehead State | Assistant Professor of Space Systems Engineering
Building the future arsenal
See the researchers and innovators who are delivering when they’re needed most.
Regional Action.
National Impact.
WIN serves the entire nation while simultaneously providing state-specific offerings. Select your state to explore how WIN is making an impact.
WIN serves as the primary connective tissue between America’s brightest innovators and the Department of War (DoW). It is a high-performance network dedicated to bringing clarity and reach to national security innovation by accelerating the transition of mission-driven capabilities from discovery to deployment.
WIN is a program funded by the Department of War under the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX). It is executed through a collaborative partnership between Parallax Advanced Research and Vertx Partners.
No. The WIN program provides no-cost resources to academic researchers and industry innovators. The goal is to lower the barrier to entry for promising dual-use technology development.
WIN helps startups outrun the Valley of Death, the gap between research and operational relevance, by providing a strategic roadmap to non-dilutive funding and warm introductions to mission owners. The WIN team provides expert guidance through the complex proposal labyrinth for multiple contract vehicles, including SBIR, STTR, OTAs, BAAs, etc.
No, WIN does not write proposals. Instead, we provide concierge-level one-on-one coaching, review your proposals, and provide structured feedback to raise your success rate while mitigating wasted effort.
WIN explains complex acquisition pathways and advises companies on which stakeholders to engage. We also share WIN cohort success stories and guides.
WIN matches your cutting-edge research with real-world Department of War problems. By identifying dual-use pathways, WIN helps you turn institutional prestige into national security impact, validating technologies with both commercial and military utility.
WIN acts as a "matchmaker," connecting academic researchers with small businesses to form teams for STTR solicitations. To date, WIN has engaged over 400 universities across all 50 states.
WIN acts as a curator for the military, vetting companies and researchers for technical maturity before they reach a government desk. This ensures that government officials receive a curated list of high-quality innovators capable of immediately addressing mission-critical gaps.
These are the warfighters on the front lines. Every partnership WIN facilitates must eventually tie back to providing these individuals with the technology they need to succeed and survive in the field.
WIN uses a five-step framework to move technology from discovery to deployment:
Assess the Fit: Identifying alignment with defense needs.
Clarify the Path: Demystifying acquisition and funding pathways.
Build Readiness: Refining messaging and managing expectations.Make Connections: Facilitating targeted introductions to decision-makers.
Support Transition: Final steps toward funding and frontline deployment.
Yes. While WIN has formal, funded presences in select states, the National Network Access serves as a catch-all for innovators across the entire country. Any U.S.-based company with a solution for the Department of War is encouraged to join the cohort.
No. WIN only works with U.S. innovators and researchers.
No. WIN guides you on securing non-dilutive funding through various contract vehicles. We do not fund your research or innovation directly.
