Early-stage ventures with technologies to address modernization requirements of PACAF are invited to join NSIN Propel Hawaii to explore dual-use markets. Selected companies will build a foundation for doing business with the DoD and may gain access to a network of private investors and commercial partners.

Overview

The 2024 NSIN Propel Hawaii accelerator, held in partnership with the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Science and Technology and the 613th Air Operations Center (AOC), will see startups collaborate with industry and government to enable the U.S. Air Force to deploy continuous unrivaled air, space and cyberspace capabilities across the U.S. Indo-Pacific region. The program aims to recruit a cohort of early-stage ventures that will address modernization requirements of PACAF and enable a ready, innovative, and agile force.

The cohort will directly engage with DoD end-users to better understand real-world challenges, build a foundation for doing business with the DoD, and work closely with the accelerator team to design pilots around the national security applications of their technologies. Selected companies will also gain access to a robust network of private investors and commercial partners.

Areas of Focus

Air Operations Center (AOC) of the Future The 613th Air Operations Center (AOC) is the command center used by the U.S. Air Force to command and control its operations across the Indo-Pacific region. Operating 24/7, the AOC provides guidance and makes decisions affecting thousands of distributed service members, aircraft and sensors throughout the region. Its mission includes tasking of all air and space assets, operational planning, battle management, and timely replenishment of supplies.

The AOC seeks collaborative planning and execution tools to scale its information advantage. Solutions may include novel adaptations of commercial or custom software. They may also include communication hardware for data encryption, transmission, or storage. Desired capabilities include:

  • Tools for asynchronous collaboration during planning and execution.
  • Predictive supply chain systems for real-time asset management, reducing logistical delays and downtime.
  • Advanced, fast computing tech to magnify data advantages.
  • Proven, viable implementations of AI to improve decision making and awareness.

Agile Combat Employment (ACE) The Air Force’s framework called Agile Combat Employment or ACE focuses on employing dynamic schemes of maneuver to maintain an advantage in contested and challenging environments while simultaneously maximizing survivability of people and equipment. This framework demands agile technologies and approaches that enable the Air Force to complete its mission from a network of flexible dispersed locations. Desired capabilities include:

  • Advanced sensors, platforms, and communication architectures that can collect, process, and transmit data efficiently
  • Solutions that achieve an integrated workflow for logistics including availability of qualified suppliers, transportation and replenishment of fuels, munitions, and spare parts
  • Force protection and perimeter security technologies to include counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS)

Camouflage, Concealment, & Deception (CC&D) Increasingly, physical systems are susceptible to an array of threats in the cyber domain and electromagnetic spectrum. The Air Force seeks technologies that enhance the ability of its assets to operate stealthily, without detection and safely from kinetic and electromagnetic threats. Desired capabilities include:

  • Technologies that enable digital concealment, a decreased footprint , or utilize electronic deception
  • Anti-jamming and anti-spoofing protection capabilities
  • Counter intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) capabilities

Key Dates

  • May 29, 2024: Open Call

  • June 6, 2024: Information Session

  • June 21, 2024: Applications Due

  • July 15 - Oct. 31, 2024: Startups in Program

  • Oct. 2024: Demo Day

Benefits of Participation

  • Defense-specific accelerator programming
  • Access to venture capital and government stakeholder networks
  • Test and evaluation opportunities
  • Tech interchange meetings with DoD stakeholders

Eligibility

Companies must be U.S.-owned and operated.

Who Should Apply:

Early-stage ventures seeking an opportunity to expand into the federal market with technologies developed for commercial applications. Companies with the following attributes are highly encouraged to apply:

  • Ability to experiment with a minimal viable product (MVP) for a DoD use case within the 12-months or program start
  • Open architecture systems or technologies that easily integrate with existing and legacy government systems
  • Ability to demonstrate decision superiority, precision, and resilience in environments with limited connectivity, reach or infrastructure

Apply Now

Applications for NSIN Propel Hawaii have now closed.

Questions

See the Info Session recording:

Please direct your questions to propel@nsin.mil.

About National Security Innovation Network

NSIN is a program office in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), nested within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). We are set up to collaborate with a wide variety of innovators to include universities, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and start-ups. We create opportunities for collaboration across communities and connect those that might not traditionally work in national security. Together, we help drive national security innovation and develop technologies that directly support the individuals responsible for protecting our country.

For more information or interview requests with Team NSIN, please contact us at media@nsin.mil.

This NSIN Propel Open Call Announcement is considered to have potential for further efforts that may be accomplished via FAR-based contracting instruments, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for Prototype Projects 10 USC 4022 and Research 10 USC 4021, Prizes for advanced technology achievements 10 USC 4025, and/or Prize Competitions 15 USC 3719. If a prototype OTA is awarded and considered successfully completed, follow-on production may be pursued in accordance with 10 USC 4022(f). The public open call announcement made at https://www.nsin.mil, https://www.decisivepoint.com/accelerator website is considered to satisfy the reasonable effort to obtain competition in accordance with 10 USC 4025(b), 15 USC 3719(e) and 10 USC 4022(b)(2). Any FAR-based actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly actions will follow announcement procedures per FAR 5.201(b) accordingly.