Accelerator Program to Engage University IP and Solutions for National Security
The Emerge Accelerator connects DoD mission partners with emerging technology teams and startups at our nation’s top research universities.
Cutting-edge companies will demonstrate how intellectual property from top research universities can be commercialized for dual-use, civilian, and military markets during the next cohort of National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)’s Emerge Accelerator program.
The 12-week program offers participants funding to accelerate venture creation and technology transition. The program also offers access to feedback, advisors, and potential partners from the DoD and private industry. While pursuing federal and commercial markets is highly encouraged, the NSIN Emerge Accelerator excels at providing new ventures with the tools necessary to do business with the federal government and the private sector.
13 companies representing 13 unique academic institutions were accepted into the 2024 NSIN Emerge Accelerator. The teams have reached a Technology Readiness Level(TRL) of 4 (validation in a relevant environment) or greater, and have a technology vertical focus on artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), deep tech, autonomy, cyber security, and other general technology solutions.
Meet the 2024 Emerge Accelerator Cohort
Academic Institution: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
ARMADA provides industry and the government with an innovative hardware platform and a cost-efficient operations model that will revolutionize in situ ocean monitoring at scale.
Covert Defenses
Academic Institution: Purdue University
Covert Defenses enables zero-downtime operation of industrial control systems in cyber-contested environments. Their solution allows for continuous operations, even if penetrated by an insider.
EMP Technology Solutions
Academic Institution: University of Texas at Dallas
EMP Technology Solutions has developed a system for radioisotope identification that is portable, scalable, modular, and network-compatible. Their system works quickly, detecting and identifying radioactive threats in about five seconds.
Academic Institution: Northeastern University
Fourier is commercializing the breakthrough platform technology of thermoformable technical ceramics. The company is bringing large-scale production to the manufacturing of technical ceramic parts for the first time.
FreeFall Aerospace, Inc.
Academic Institution: The University of Arizona
FreeFall Aerospace develops novel antennas for ground and space.The company’s flexible designs have dramatically lower maintenance needs, saving industry and the government time and money on sustainment operations.
L5vel Inc.
Academic Institution: Texas A&M University
L5vel is developing autonomy for all-terrain logistics. Its product, L5vel Prime, automates all-terrain forklifts.
Academic Institution: Harvard University
MicroAvionics is developing innovative levitation technology to enable flight in the mesosphere (50-100 km altitudes). The technology uses sunlight to generate thrust, eliminating the need for onboard fuel or power, offering a sustainable method to carry near-space payloads in a region that is inaccessible to conventional aircraft and satellites.
Academic Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Mithril Technologies, Inc. is developing and commercializing a new type of space-based mesh reflector antenna using a unique electrostatic actuation technology invented at MIT to enable active beam focusing, shaping and steering. This active control allows flexibility in GEO satellite communications & jamming, signal intelligence, and space-based weather monitoring, with lighter & simpler structures than phased arrays.
ModiFly
Academic Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio
ModiFly offers an affordable drone networking solution with edge and cloud AI processing, supporting dynamic mission demands through plug-and-play modules.
Academic Institution: New York University
Pi-Radio builds software-defined radios (SDRs) that enable wireless systems prototypes for communications, sensing, and electronic warfare to be built quickly and affordably. Pi-Radio has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) SBIR/STTR programs.
Academic Institution: Louisiana State University
Refined Imaging applies new X-ray and neutron imaging technology, along with key collaborators, to develop the secure supply chain.
Academic Institution: Georgia Tech
SoloPulse unlocks sensing infrastructure without the need for new hardware. With the rise of autonomy, advanced threats, and the need for more intelligible data, SoloPulse offers the necessary solutions for fast, cost-effective, high-fidelity data from any existing sensor. By introducing the capability to see from any sensor, SoloPulse is changing how the world sees.
Spectrum Defense Systems
Academic Institutions: Purdue University and Ohio Northern University
Spectrum Defense Systems is a DoD-focused startup focused on providing electronic warfare decoy capabilities to the U.S Army. Its flagship product is the Dynamic Radio Emulator System (DRES).
About National Security Innovation Network
NSIN is a program office in the U.S. Department of Defense, 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.