Defense Hardtech Accelerator Program
The Defense Hardtech Accelerator provides support and resources to companies with promising solutions for both military and commercial applications. The program’s mission is to rapidly advance the technical maturity of these innovations and initiate domestic manufacturing, addressing critical national security needs and bridging supply chain gaps essential for U.S. resilience.
What we do
The Defense Hardtech Accelerator equips companies with essential resources to fast-track product development for military and commercial markets. Through expert mentorship, funding, and access to prototyping and manufacturing support, the program helps transform innovative concepts into market-ready solutions.
How we do it
- Access to Expertise: Connects companies with over 40 Experts-in-Residence who offer specialized experience across product design, engineering, supply chain, and business strategy.
- Technical and Strategic Resources: Offers facilities and support for prototyping, tooling, IP guidance, and regulatory navigation to expedite product readiness.
- Industry Partnerships: Leverages partnerships with key defense and industry stakeholders, including Ground Vehicle Systems Center, to provide access to government resources, testing grounds, and potential customer bases.
- Market Expansion: Provides strategic marketing and sales support, ensuring that participants can effectively position and promote their technologies in both defense and commercial markets.
Eligibility:
- Hardware Readiness: Solutions must be in the proof-of-concept stage, with functional hardware that can be tested and validated.
- Defense Alignment: Products should meet or address current Department of Defense technology needs, particularly in the areas of combat vehicles, tactical drones, and critical supply chain components.
- Industry Applicability: Solutions with potential for applications across multiple industries, not limited to defense, are prioritized.
- Established Customer Interest: Companies should demonstrate current or potential demand through customer interest or existing partnerships.
Benefits
- Business Development: Access to tailored business strategies and market connections to facilitate defense and commercial growth.
- Product Demonstration: Opportunities for showcasing innovations to key defense and industry stakeholders, improving visibility and credibility.
- Accelerate Time to Market: Resources and guidance that streamline the development and launch processes, enabling faster market entry.
- Defense Requirements Support: Through our network of specialized partners, participating companies gain access to resources and guidance on meeting defense industry standards, including cybersecurity and quality requirements.
- Financial Assistance: Eligibility for up to $250,000 in pilot funding to support high-potential projects.
- Engineering Assistance: Technical expertise to optimize product design, performance, and manufacturability.
- Prototyping: Access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert-led prototyping support.
- Marketing: Strategic support for positioning and promoting products in both defense and broader commercial sectors.
Connect with the Defense Hardtech Accelerator
Get in Touch HerePartners
The Defense Hardtech Accelerator is made possible through a collaboration with:
- U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC): Providing defense insights, patent access, and technical expertise.
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): Supporting growth through funding and business development resources.
- Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium: Enhancing Michigan’s resilience in defense innovation.
- Munro Defense: Offering prototyping and product testing expertise for defense applications.
- University of Michigan and Lawrence Technological University: Supplying advanced R&D support and access to academic resources.