News & Success Stories

AUSTIN, Texas -- AFWERX and SpaceWERX the innovation arms of the Department of the Air Force and U.S. Space Force, respectively, have selected 23 small businesses with Phase II contracts awarded within the last two years to apply for funding through a Program Year 2025.1 Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) annual notice of opportunity.

Austin, Texas (March 11) – For three days, more than 3,500 representatives from companies, government, academia and capital came together as part of joint programming powered by DIU, AFWERX, NavalX and other DOD organizations at the Capital Factory House in Austin.

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 49th Maintenance Group is advancing its mission readiness through a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract collaboration with Evitado Technologies and its anti-collision solution, and TowFLEXX Miltech, a leading manufacturer of electric, remote-controlled towing vehicles without towbars with a longstanding history of supporting the military.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Space Systems Command (SSC) hosted the inaugural “SSC Subcontracting Forum” Feb. 6 to connect large military contractors with potential small business partners. The first-of-its-kind forum dovetails with SSC’s ongoing drive for innovative and efficient acquisition of space-based capabilities that empower our Nation’s warfighters.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Spark Tank 2025 semifinals were held Jan. 28 in the Pentagon. The Spark Tank production team presented the top 15 ideas, identified by 1,925 Airmen and Guardians casting nearly 35,000 pairwise votes and subject matter expert evaluations, to a panel co-chaired by the vice chief of staff of the Air Force and the vice chief of space operations.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Test Wing Data and Digital Transformation Spark Tank Competition recently transformed Club Muroc into a hub of creativity and innovation, showcasing the groundbreaking ideas of Airmen designed to enhance operational capabilities.

This month, the Defense Department's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office provided more than $5 million in funding to further develop GigEagle's AI-powered Joint talent marketplace for digital talent.

Warner Robins, Ga. -- AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, completed its 15th Refinery cohort Dec. 4. The six-week course, held in Warner Robins, Georgia, focused on bridging the gap between Air Force requirements and Airmen innovation.

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- The Innovation Lab at Arnold Air Force Base is once again open for business. The lab, being reintroduced following a recent renovation, gives Arnold team members a venue outside of the office to brainstorm concepts, work to improve processes, test ideas, collaborate and innovate.