DIU Presents: RF Spectrum Sharing Challenge Pitch Event
See finalists showcase innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced signal processing technologies aimed at enhancing spectrum sensing and situational awareness for a share of the $50,000 prize pot.
Overview
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), will conduct a pitch event on January 30, 2025, to showcase innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced signal processing technologies aimed at enhancing spectrum sensing and situational awareness for the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF).
The event will be held in-person at the Arcade Innovation Hub, our Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub collaboration space, with an option to join virtually. Leading up to this event, submissions have undergone rigorous evaluation by government subject matter experts (SMEs), with applicants advancing through challenge stages. These stages included a 45-day algorithm training and testing period followed by four weeks of intensive data testing, resulting in up to five finalists progressing to the final round.
Agenda
Opening Remarks | 2:30 - 2:50 p.m.
Pitch Presentations | 2:50 - 3:50 p.m.
Winner Announcement & Closing Remarks | 3:50 - 4:00 p.m.
Speakers
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Angela Austin, Lead Challenge Program Manager, DIU
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Jesse Gipe, Venture Portfolio Director, DIU
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Dr. Vasu Chakravarthy, Principal Research Engineer, AFRL
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Mark Bartman, Maj Gen (Ret.), Executive Director of Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Ohio and VP for Advanced Development with Parallax Advanced Research
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Megan Saunders, Challenge Program Manager, DIU
Panelelists
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Dr. Chad Spooner, Senior Scientist, NorthWest Research Associates
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Jesse Gipe, Venture Portfolio Director, DIU
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Dr. Vasu Chakravarthy, Principal Research Engineer, AFRL
Competing Teams
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Shweta Dutta and Chris McGuinness, Principal Research Engineers - Georgia Tech Research Institute
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Jim Costabile, CEO/Founder - Syncopated Engineering Inc.
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Apurva Mody CEO/Foounder - A10 Systems Inc. d/b/a AiRANACULUS
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Ryan Crawford Senior Member of Technical Staff - Expedition Technology
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Michael Szalkowski Co-Founder - Alpine Method Technologies, LLC
Register to Attend the Event In-Person
Watch the Live Event
Questions
Please direct your questions to prizechallenge@diu.mil.
About the Defense Innovation Unit
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, DC, DIU is the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies across the country.
About Air Force Research Laboratory
AFRL is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development.
About Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Ohio
Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Ohio serves as a gateway for Ohio-based businesses and organizations to engage with national security efforts. Located at the Arcade Innovation Hub in downtown Dayton, the Hub provides physical and digital spaces for entrepreneurs to collaborate and advance defense technologies. Partnering with key organizations such as Parallax Advanced Research, Ohio Aerospace Institute, JobsOhio, and leading universities, the Hub leverages expertise and resources to support Ohio’s tech ecosystem and drive national security initiatives.