National Security Innovation Network: Foundry

Foundry is a five-month startup studio that increases technology, transfer, and transition (T3) of U.S. Government inventions by matching technologies and inventors with entrepreneurs interested in starting a high-tech company.

Overview

NSIN discovers and vets cutting-edge DoD technologies developed in government laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) and leverages them to solve real-world problems of DoD and commercial customers.
Teams of entrepreneurs, working with DoD scientists and technologists, assess the market viability and the potential to commercialize DoD technologies.
Entrepreneurs receive extensive training in Lean Startup principles and an opportunity to form a new venture around cutting-edge technology.
DoD researchers gain valuable insight into the market potential of their technologies and possible development pathways.

About Foundry

The NSIN Foundry program matches cutting-edge Department of Defense (DoD) technologies with teams of entrepreneurs during intensive, five-month cohorts. Entrepreneurs work closely with lab inventors, mentors, coaches, subject matter experts, and DoD end-users to assess the market viability and commercialization potential of the technologies. Successful teams form new companies, license the technologies, and develop solutions that impact the DoD and the private sector.

The program identifies, researches, and vets cutting-edge DoD technologies developed in government laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs). We recruit the most innovative entrepreneurs from across the country who want to found new companies to solve critical DoD and commercial problems. The program then brings these technologies and entrepreneurs together and provides knowledgeable instructors; access to DoD inventors and end-users; mentorship from DoD and private sector subject-matter experts; and training on lean-startup principles, market assessment, company formation, technology licensing, and more. Foundry provides a path to commercialization for DoD lab tech, and a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to build a company around cutting edge technology.

At the end of the cohort, teams will compete for $50,000 in total cash prizes. Click here for competition judging criteria.

Entreprenuer Application

Applications Close July 1, 2024

Don’t Wait to Apply! Phase 0 team building and technology matching activities during the application period may improve your chances of acceptance to the cohort and your success during the cohort. Apply now to take full advantage.

Apply Now

2024 Key Program Dates*

Application period open: April 1 -July 1, 2024
Phase 0 Team Building & Technology Matching: April 8 - July 1, 2024
Kick-off (virtual): July 27, 2024
Phase I (virtual): July 28, 2024 to October 1, 2024 (10 weeks)
Phase II (virtual): October 15, 2024 to December 3rd, 2024 (8 weeks)

2024 Information Sessions

Thursday, May 16 at 12pm EDT
Thursday, June 25 at 12pm EDT

*Dates subject to change. All information on this page will be updated as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do DoD Labs Participate in Foundry?

Is your invention ripe for commercialization? Do you want to see it make a real impact? Do you want to learn about the commercial marketplace and see what the private sector can do to bring your invention to the next level? Then Foundry may be the program for you. Foundry has broadened its technology pool to include all U.S. Government labs (not just DoD labs), FFRDCs, and UARCs. The technology must be applicable to DoD requirements or DoD customer problems. At a minimum, the inventor must have filed a provisional patent. Higher technology readiness level (TRL) technologies (≥4) with demonstrated prototypes are preferred. Inventions within the last three years are also preferred. NSIN entirely funds the program, so there is no direct cost for your lab. However, during the cohort, inventors must commit to spending at least one or more hours per week with the entrepreneur team and participate in a few weekend events, such as the kickoff Virtual Summit and final Showcase Day.

Interested lab partners should email foundry@nsin.mil.

How does Foundry work?

Foundry is an intensive, 100% virtual program executed in two phases. Phase I focuses on customer discovery, exploring the commercial viability of the DoD technology, and identifying business and technology development pathways. Teams that determine their technology has enough potential to form a company move on to Phase II. Phase II focuses on company formation, technology licensing, and identifying commercial and public funding opportunities. At the end of the cohort, teams present market assessment reports to the labs and compete at a “Showcase Day” live pitch event to potential customers and investors.

What technologies can be included in Foundry?

Each Foundry cohort includes technologies from a variety of areas. Past technology verticals have included:

3D printing
Advanced materials
Artificial intelligence/machine learning
Autonomous systems
Command, control, and communications
Cybersecurity
Energy and power system
Human performance
Medical
Microelectronics
Sensors

Questions about Foundry?

Please contact foundry@nsin.mil with any questions about NSIN Foundry.

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Foundry