Project Vanguard

Project Vanguard is a unique collaboration that allows AFWERX to leverage DIU’s Capital Operations. Through Project Vanguard investors will have access to qualified, relevant deal flow from validated DAF SBIR/STTR cohort awardees and a front door to the DoD mission partner connections that inform future technology and investment strategies.

Within AFWERX/SpaceWERX, Project Vanguard is responsible for increasing private capital into the DAF SBIR/STTR portfolio in order to grow the rate of transitions and commercialization opportunities. Project Vanguard’s specific focus is towards STRATFI eligible Phase II companies, as well as current STRATFI and TACFI winners who are actively working within a Program Office. Project Vanguard provides value to investors by allowing investors to engage in fundraising opportunities with AFWERX/SpaceWERX portfolio companies while exploring government customer demand signals.

Project Vanguard seeks to address the following issue: despite substantial private capital investment into the market, only a small fraction is directed toward dual-use defense technology, and even less is invested in defense-specific innovations. This creates a supply-demand mismatch due to unclear government communication, resulting in the underutilization of the U.S. economy. However, analysis of the AFWERX portfolio indicates that companies receiving private investment experience a median 9.6% increase in DoD funding, highlighting the market’s critical role in advancing technologies essential for the warfighter.