The Program
The Program
What You Can Expect from Us:
1.
Intense training for small businesses and startups through curated content relevant to specific topics and customers
2.
In-depth customer discovery and aggressive business model creation for greater future success, both in the military and commercial sectors
3.
Workshops and guest speakers facilitate a mix of collaborative in-person workshops and group-learning sessions
4.
Regular training in pitching and conveying mission-driven value to customers in the military and commercial sectors
5.
Rapid timelines for testing assumptions based on live customer feedback and mentorship
What We Expect from You:
1.
A consistent group of participants, one of which is a company decision-maker, must gather in Dayton, Ohio for seven out of ten weeks
2.
Willingness to actively engage with fellow cohort members, facilitators, and mentors who are like-minded and push for strategic, smart growth at the fast pace of entrepreneurship
3.
Enthusiastic participation in the 10-week process
4.
Participation in the April 2020 Demo Day event
The Topics
The T3 Accelerator curriculum takes topics generated by the Air Force and examines them through a defense and commercial market lens. The Air Force is looking for startups and small businesses that are developing materials and manufacturing processes focused on low cost, reusable and minimal maintenance (attritable) structures, engines and sensors in autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and space systems.
Leverage commercial (i.e. automotive, marine or other non-defense market) assembly processes that are very simple or automated and pervasive, materials that can be applied to the fabrication of UAS structural components. These aircraft structural components and assembly processes minimize cost while providing a responsive solution to unpredictable manufacturing surge requirements.
Small and medium size turbine engines (~200 lbf thrust) for consumable/attritable applications has opened new development opportunities for low cost components. Production of robust, readily adaptable, and sustainable manufacturing approaches to small engine propulsion and power technology which can deliver low-cost engines with intermittent production requirements.
Low cost sensors which are complementary to low cost attritable and expendable platforms to find, fix, and track targets in challenging environments. Achieve low cost by leveraging commercial technologies (law enforcement, border patrol, geo survey, and recreational use), advanced manufacturing techniques, and novel low-cost sensor R&D efforts.
Low cost, disaggregated space systems for operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with greater resilience and responsiveness by leveraging disruptive technologies and advanced manufacturing techniques. Reduce spacecraft bus and payload cost, and mass and increase throughput through the application of advanced manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing, automation, new materials, and design. Decrease spacecraft component turn-around time and increase availability through changes in material and component qualification requirements considering limited life and LEO operations.
Key Dates and Milestones
Applications Open – November 1, 2019
Applications Close – December 8, 2019
Virtual “Ask Me Anything” Event – November 20, 2019
Applicant Notification – December 20, 2019
In-person Orientation – March 2, 2020
In-person training in Dayton, Ohio:
- March 2 – 5, 2020
- March 10 – 12, 2020
- March 17 – 19, 2020
- March 24 – 26, 2020
- April 7 – 9, 2020
- May 5 – 8, 2020
Demo Day – May 8, 2020
Key Learnings
Ultimately, you’ll strengthen innovative concepts and prototypes for technologies that address critical market needs. Development occurs via:
1) Beyond technology transition within the military sector, the ultimate goal of this program is to introduce SBIR-funded technologies into the marketplace using teachings that bridge the gap between traditional SBIR coaching and entrepreneurial training.
2) You’ll develop a comprehensive commercialization plan, with a deep dive into customer discovery, to identify military and commercial customers and understand how their value proposition compare and connect.
1) Companies will be able pitch their value with the confidence of a validated business plan.
2) Demo Day will provide the forum for companies to pitch to an audience of SBIR grant funders, outside capital investors and other Air Force buyers.
1) SBIR requirements will drive the learning process throughout the 10 weeks of programming, ensuring each company has been fully prepared to submit and, ideally, secure SBIR funding.
2) The program offers expedited timelines and access to resources to aid in the SBIR application process.
