Announcing the Launch of the Warfighting Integration Network (WIN)
Welcome to the Warfighting Integration Network (WIN), a high-velocity defense initiative designed to identify, connect, and accelerate the next generation of American innovation into the hands of the warfighter.
The Warfighting Integration Network is a Department of War (DoW)-funded program that unites entrepreneurs, researchers, and nontraditional companies under a single, managed network. At no cost, we connect you to the federal contracting opportunities, expert coaching, and acquisition pathways they need to field their technologies.
WIN partners work directly with a team of seasoned professionals who have navigated both sides of the defense ecosystem, receiving hands-on guidance tailored to where they are in their journey.
The DoW knows that the innovation America needs isn't always inside the traditional defense industrial base; winning the global competition requires tapping into the full depth of the nation's innovative capacity. WIN is the DoW's commitment to fixing the pipeline: finding America's best innovators faster, developing them smarter, and fielding their solutions before the window closes.
The Mission Evolves
Since 2019, a version of the WIN mission emphasizing universities and academia has existed under the APEX (Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment) umbrella, a portfolio of programs managed by Parallax Advanced Research. In that time, APEX assisted in over $62 million in federal awards and facilitated over $261 million in tech transitions.
As the pace of global competition accelerates, so must America’s strategy. The Warfighting Integration Network builds on the foundation already laid and represents the next evolution of this mission.
The Gravity Assist for Nontraditional Talent
The WIN mission is rooted in the idea that innovation happens in every corner of the country: from the Capital Beltway to Silicon Valley. But it also shines in the machine shops of Kentucky, the robotics labs of Pennsylvania, and the software startups of West Virginia. These "nontraditional" innovation hubs possess the dual-use technology our national security requires, but they often lack the roadmap to navigate the complexities of the federal contracting process.
Technology means nothing if it doesn’t transition to capability. SBIR mills don’t win battles. Every Phase I or II contract that WIN cohort members take on is with tech transition in mind, ensuring capabilities are delivered to those who need them most.
And because WIN is government-funded, our services, from 1-on-1 coaching to matchmaking and solicitation cohorts, are provided at no cost to the innovator.
- Private partners benefit from insider concierge services.
- Academic partners gain access to necessary private partnerships.
- The government accelerates acquisition pathways to deliver essential solutions to the warfighter.
Traditionally, the so-called "Valley of Death" claims many up-and-coming technologies. The "Valley" is the gulf between promising tech in active R&D and solutions that have been successfully commercialized and fielded. Narrowing this gulf is critical to staying ahead in the global competition we're in today.
Sean Frisbee, President of Vertx Partners, puts it this way: “A lot of the groups we work with have already won small contracts and know how to compete in the early stages. What they haven't cracked yet is how to get their technology across the finish line and into the field. That's exactly where WIN steps in, and it's where we add the most value."
WIN behaves as a gravity assist. We leverage the massive scale and resources of the federal government, and our team of experts who've been on both sides of the aisle, to slingshot small businesses and researchers already in orbit into the defense ecosystem at record speed.
A Collaborative Force
WIN's launch marks a deepened collaboration between two powerhouses of the defense industrial base: Parallax Advanced Research and Vertx Partners.
“Most nontraditional innovators aren't failing because their technology isn't good enough. They're failing because no one ever showed them how the system works,” says Paula Lemke, Executive Director of APEX. “WIN changes that. We meet companies and researchers where they are, and we walk with them until their solution is in the hands of the people who need it.”
Where WIN Is Going
The WIN footprint is expanding. While our national network is open to any U.S.-based innovator, we are doubling down on regional action through dedicated state launchpads:
- WIN | KY: WIN In Kentucky
- WIN | PA: WIN In Pennsylvania
- WIN | WV: WIN In West Virginia
- WIN | OH: WIN In Ohio
WIN's services and resources are deeply rooted in the states listed above; however, we continue to support researchers and businesses across all 50 states to strengthen national security. If you're outside of our established states, you can learn more on our National Access page.
Join the Network
Whether you're a founder with a dual-use solution, a researcher ready to explore federal opportunities, or a company that has never worked with the government before, WIN starts with a conversation. Reach out, and a member of the WIN team will get to know your capabilities and map the right path forward. There's no cost and no prerequisite experience with defense contracting required.
Ready to take the first step? Connect with the WIN team today.
