Department of Defense and DARPA host networking events in Huntsville

Defense researchers, innovators, and industry leaders convened in Huntsville for a Department of Defense SciTech Connect Networking Event, which aimed to strengthen ties across the defense, science, and technology community.

DoD SciTech Connect is a new initiative launched in December 2024 by the U.S Government. 

According to the DoD, this new platform was created to “empower innovators to turn bold ideas into solutions that strengthen national security.”

The event was held at the end of the day at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on Monday, May 12th. Evelyn Kent, Director of the DoD HBCU/MI Program and Outreach (OUSD/R&E), demoed SciTech Connect’s new website and market research tool. A panel of experts also discussed building partnerships to pursue DoD funding.

The following day, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), in collaboration with the Applied Research Institute and the Alabama APEX Accelerator, hosted a DARPAConnect Regional Pop-Up event at UAH.

Jennifer Thabet, Office Director of the Small Business Programs Office at DARPA, emphasized the interconnected goals of the two events.

“It’s sort of a way to build an ecosystem to find new innovators to partner and work with us. The goals of this are to identify, engage, educate, and mentor potential performers to join the ecosystem,” Thabet said. 

During the panel at the DoD SciTech Connect event, Jason Preisser, SVP Federal Programs, Applied Research Institute, moderated a discussion featuring:

• Rami Bommareddi, Professor, Department of Physics, Alabama A&M University
• Satilmis Budak, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Alabama A&M University
• Christopher Udall, Managing Director, HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator

The panel explored how academic institutions, small businesses, and startups can better engage with DoD funding mechanisms.

“We’re so excited about this new initiative because it has been very difficult for our founders to get access to the DoD to this point,” he said. 

Udall continued, “If we can get you a DOD contract with a three-month timeframe, that would just be an absolute game changer in our industry.”

Budak emphasized the benefit of networking and gave an example of how this could help an interested party find funding for a project. 

In his experience attending industry conferences, he said that DoD partners and program managers have been very helpful. 

“They might say I don’t currently have money but I can direct you to another program manager that does,” Budak said. 

From an academic perspective, Bommareddi advised attendees on how to write effective proposals.

“For example, if I go to one funding manager and they have two topics, I select only those topics and try to submit one thing. I tell them exactly what I do, why I do it, and how I do it,” Bommareddi shared. 

During the discussion, Udall added that there is growing interest within the DoD in partnering with companies from outside the typical defense sector.

“We also like to see our non-traditional companies, the companies that you would never imagine would get a DoD contract, don’t have anything to do with the military or the government,” Udall said. 

Udall shared that one organization he worked with was able to win a DoD contract faster than usual thanks to local connections. 

“While they were here in Huntsville, we were able to get them connected with DoD program purchasers,” Udall said. 

He also emphasized the credibility that comes with a DoD partnership.

“If you’re working for the DoD, the majority of investors out there are going to say okay, you’ve been validated by the federal government, that means what you’re doing passes my check box and they’re going to get a check faster from an investor than our customers who aren’t,” Udall said. 

After the panel at the DoD SciTech Connect event, attendees had the opportunity to network over cocktails and appetizers. 

Overall, both events highlight the DoD’s strong presence in the Huntsville area and the department’s commitment to supporting innovation and strengthening ties with local talent and institutions.