This session explores the many avenues and available resources to optimize the ability of small and mid-size companies to develop business in the Department of Defense marketplace. Emphasis is placed on the collaboration of high-tech businesses to leverage their individual capabilities with other companies and local universities in order to develop innovative turnkey solutions that meet specific needs and fill critical technology gaps. Specific technology gaps are explored utilizing technology fusion with geospatial, artificial intelligence, signals, surveillance, and cyber as examples that may be addressed within the Department of Defense.

The session is designed to be interactive to encourage sharing of ideas with the goal of developing mechanisms to form technology teams greatly amplifying the ability to jointly create meaningful solutions that have significant potential for government funding. The vision of the presenter is to assist in developing a path forward to formulate a technology-driven eco-system combining research and development with an efficient midwestern/St. Louis manufacturing supply chain to benefit the warfighter and the local community.