2023 DEFTECH Strategic Approach

Based on the recent release of the President's Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Budget, here are some action steps for NC DEFTECH this year!

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Department of Defense Releases the President's Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Budget

March 13, 2023?

NC DEFTECH facilitates technology transition by connecting businesses with potential DoD customers, providing resources and guidance on the DoD procurement process, and offering opportunities to test and evaluate their technologies. We are accelerating the development, transition, and deployment of innovative solutions in defense of the Nation. At the same time, providing economic opportunities for small businesses and non-traditional defense partners.

The DEFTECH TIDE Tech Scouting Program -

“Catalyzing Defense Innovation.”

1: Prioritize investments in emerging technologies: With the budget emphasizing the importance of modernizing the military's capabilities and investing in emerging technologies, NC DEFTECH will focus on identifying and supporting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners developing innovative solutions to meet technology priorities such as AI, cyber, and space domains.

2: Foster partnerships with allies: The budget highlights the need to strengthen partnerships with allies, and NC DEFTECH can play a role in facilitating these partnerships by connecting defense partners with innovative small businesses and non-traditional partners in North Carolina.

3: Address evolving threats: With great power competition, cyber and space domains, and terrorism identified as evolving threats, NC DEFTECH will help address these challenges by promoting the development and adoption of emerging technologies that can enhance national security.

4: Support military personnel and families: The budget also provides resources for military personnel and their families. NC DEFTECH can contribute to these efforts by identifying and supporting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners in developing solutions to improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families.

5: Stay up-to-date with National Defense Strategy: As the budget aims to support the National Defense Strategy, NC DEFTECH will continue to monitor and stay up-to-date with any updates or changes to the strategy and adjust focus and priorities accordingly.

6: Leverage tech scouting: The budget emphasizes the importance of identifying and adopting emerging technologies, which is where NC DEFTECH's tech scouting program TIDE can be particularly valuable. By scouting for and connecting defense partners with innovative small businesses and non-traditional defense partners, NC DEFTECH can help accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies.

7: Build relationships with defense partners: The budget highlights the importance of building relationships with defense partners. NC DEFTECH can help facilitate these relationships by providing a platform for small businesses and non-traditional partners to connect with defense partners. Weekly discussions on the Coffee Call can help foster collaboration, build trust, and drive innovation in the defense industry.

8: Engage with policymakers: As the budget outlines the administration's priorities for national defense programs and operations, NC DEFTECH can engage with policymakers to ensure that small businesses and non-traditional defense partners are considered and included in these priorities. This can help ensure that the budget's investments in emerging technologies and modernization efforts are effectively leveraged to support developing and adopting innovative solutions.

9: Promote diversity: As the defense industry seeks to innovate and modernize, it's essential to ensure that diverse perspectives are represented and included.

10: Provide education and training: As emerging technologies continue to shape the defense industry, NC DEFTECH can help prepare small businesses and non-traditional defense partners by providing education and training opportunities. This can help ensure partners have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively develop and adopt emerging technologies. DEFTECH partners with?First Flight Venture Center, the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, and our hosts at four NC Community Colleges to conduct SBIR/STTR Educational training "Winning More SBIRs/STTRs Awards in North Carolina."

11: Support supply chain resilience: With supply chain vulnerabilities increasingly becoming a concern in the defense industry, NC DEFTECH can help support supply chain resilience by promoting the development and adoption of innovative solutions that can enhance supply chain security and efficiency.

12: Identify and support key sectors: The budget emphasizes the importance of investing in key sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and quantum science. NC DEFTECH can play a role in identifying and supporting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners operating in these key sectors, which can help accelerate the development and adoption of emerging technologies.

13: Foster collaboration across industries: The defense industry is increasingly intersecting with other industries, such as healthcare and energy. NC DEFTECH can help foster collaboration across these industries by identifying and connecting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners that have expertise and solutions that can be applied across industries.

14: Promote sustainability: The budget highlights the importance of sustainability in defense operations and programs. NC DEFTECH can encourage innovation in sustainment by identifying and supporting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners with expertise in sustainment solutions and technologies.

15: Foster innovation ecosystems: Innovation doesn't happen in a vacuum - it's often the result of a supportive ecosystem that fosters collaboration, creativity, and experimentation. NC DEFTECH can help create and support innovation ecosystems in North Carolina by connecting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners with resources, mentors, and other partners that can support their growth and development.

16: Highlight success stories: NC DEFTECH can help build awareness and support for small businesses and non-traditional defense partners by highlighting success stories and case studies. This can help demonstrate the value and impact of these partners and their solutions, which can help attract more resources and attention to their work.

17: Stay agile and adaptive: The defense industry is rapidly evolving, and NC DEFTECH will remain agile and adaptive to changing priorities, needs, and opportunities. This can involve regularly reassessing priorities, seeking stakeholder feedback, and adjusting strategies and approaches as needed.

18: Build a strong network: NC DEFTECH has built a strong network of partners, stakeholders, and supporters that can help amplify small business impact in DoD. This can involve engaging with industry associations, government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations committed to advancing innovation in the defense industry.

19: Support cybersecurity efforts: With cybersecurity threats on the rise, NC DEFTECH can help support cybersecurity efforts in the defense industry by identifying and supporting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners that have expertise in cybersecurity solutions and technologies.

20: Encourage international collaboration: The defense industry is increasingly global, and NC DEFTECH can encourage international collaboration by identifying and connecting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners with NATO opportunities.

21: Supporting technology transition: NC DEFTECH identifies and supports small businesses and non-traditional defense partners that have technologies with potential military applications and helps them transition those technologies to meet defense and homeland security needs. NC DEFTECH facilitates technology transition by connecting these businesses with potential DoD customers, providing resources and guidance on the DoD procurement process, and offering opportunities to test and evaluate their technologies.

22: Support technology transfer: The budget emphasizes the importance of technology transfer and commercialization. NC DEFTECH can support technology transfer by connecting small businesses and non-traditional defense partners with resources and partners that can help them commercialize their technologies.

23: Foster a culture of innovation: Finally, NC DEFTECH fosters a culture of innovation in the defense industry by promoting a mindset of experimentation, creativity, and continuous learning. This involves providing education and training opportunities, recognizing and rewarding innovative solutions, and promoting a collaborative and supportive environment for small businesses and non-traditional defense partners.

To learn more about NC DEFTECH, please visit us at: https://deftech.nc.gov/

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