On March 7, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), in collaboration with The Mill, Dioltas and the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF) announced the launch of the PROPELS Accelerator. PROPELS offers teams of academics, entrepreneurs and small businesses an opportunity to commercialize patented government technology.
“Employees at NSWC Crane have invented some amazing technology, and while it’s great for the Navy, we believe that there are other use opportunities that can be explored,” explained Jenna Dix, Director of Technology Transfer at NSWC Crane. “We’re excited to see what kind of commercial applications can come from government-created tech.”
The new program will kick off with a Tech Expo at the Mill on April 14. NSWC Crane scientists will present the tech–what it is and how it’s being used by the Navy. Some examples of government-invented technology that will be showcased include: long-range heat detection, machine learning for “cleaning” data, assistive devices for low-light emergency response, and drone tracking technology.
Participants will then select one of the showcased technologies and develop a commercialization plan for a new product or platform during the six-week PROPELS Accelerator program that runs from May 4 through June 17.
“The Mill’s mission is to launch and accelerate startups,” said Pat East, Executive Director of The Mill, “and the technology at Crane provides an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs. PROPELS bridges the gap between cutting-edge innovators in the public and private sectors.”
Supporting the accelerator program are Dioltas, a defense-disruptive technologies consultancy, and the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum, a non-profit organization that promotes innovation in the national security community.
“This is exactly the type of event that will help introduce the Navy and its tremendous research and development capabilities to entrepreneurs looking for great new technologies,” said Mike Dodd, Dioltas Advisory Board Chairman. “We applaud NSWC Crane for their proactive approach to connecting with the business community.”
“At DEF we strive to break down barriers that often keep the government closed off from commercial entities,” said Heath Murray, Bloomington DEF Agora Lead. “PROPELS is the kind of event that not only breaks down those barriers, but also plants the seed for many future connections between entrepreneurs and the Navy.”
At the conclusion of the event, participants will be invited to pitch their ideas and compete for prizes at the Radius Indiana Crane Intellectual Property (IP) Defense Innovation competition.
Learn more here about the PROPELS Accelerator.
Register here for a March 28 virtual informational session.
Register here for the April 14 in-person Tech Expo at The Mill.
The deadline to apply to participate in the 6-week PROPELS Accelerator is April 22.
Source: NSWC Crane
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