AFWERX

AFWERX is the innovation arm of the United States Department of the Air Force (DAF), and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Our mission is to move faster than ever before, cultivating and transitioning impactful emerging technologies to warfighters across the DAF and the United States Department of Defense. Our teams are bringing cutting-edge American ingenuity to life through: 💡 Fostering Innovation: Partnering with American small businesses and startups to develop groundbreaking solutions for the DAF’s most critical challenges. 🔬 Cutting-Edge Research: Driving cutting-edge research and development efforts. 🌐 Diverse Career Paths: Offering diverse technical and leadership roles to shape the future of defense. 🤝 Collaborative Culture: Working alongside brilliant minds from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. We hope you will join us in our mission! 👉 Learn more about how we’re shaping the future of defense: https://lnkd.in/gsar5Hap . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #DAF #DoD #USAF #USSF #AFRL #WeAreAFWERX #technology #innovation

The 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base Continuous Improvement and Innovation Team, along with the Desert Spark cell, recently hosted a Spark Tank competition that showcased innovative ideas aimed at advancing data and digital reforms within the United States Air Force. Over 300 participants joined in-person and virtually, demonstrating the strong commitment to fostering an environment where Airmen's ingenuity can thrive. The competition featured six finalists presenting concepts designed to sharpen the Air Force's competitive edge. “This competition provided a platform for our Airmen to present groundbreaking ideas that will propel us into a future where data-driven decision-making is at the forefront of our strategic endeavors,” said Rebecca Kern, innovation project officer for the 412th Test Wing. Read more and watch the full Edwards AFB Spark Tank competition: https://lnkd.in/g-QP7wXk 💡 Interested in learning more or getting involved with a Spark Cell near you? Explore the AFWERX Spark Cell Connector today! https://lnkd.in/gqCEyVHQ . . . #AFWERX #Spark #SparkCells #USAF #Airmen #DAF #DoD #412thTestWing #EdwardsAFB #DesertCell #SparkTank #competition #innovation

AFWERX’s Capital Initiatives Division is excited to share the opportunity for investors to sign-up to participate in opportunities to engage with transition-ready portfolio companies through Project Vanguard. Project Vanguard’s mission is to boost private capital investment in the United States Department of the Air Force’s SBIR/STTR portfolio by creating opportunities for AFWERX and SpaceWERX companies to engage with private investors. 📊 Did you know? Despite significant private investment across industries, only a small fraction supports defense-specific innovations. AFWERX data shows companies receiving private investment see a 30% increase in United States Department of Defense funding, underscoring the market’s key role in advancing tech for the warfighter. Interested in participating in Project Vanguard as a portfolio company❓Small businesses must have a DAF Phase II and plan to apply to an upcoming STRATFI/TACFI Notice of Opportunity, or an active TACFI or STRATFI to participate. ▶️ Learn more: https://ow.ly/kFlG50ULcAS ▶️ Investor Participation Sign-Up: https://ow.ly/JAhi50ULcAT . . . #AFWERX #MissionDownload #CapitalInitiatives #ProjectVanguard #USAF #DAF #DoD #innovation

⏳ LAST CHANCE: Register by Friday for the sUAS Training Challenge Workshop! This two-day, in-person event brings together United States Department of Defense experts and innovators to shape the future of sUAS operations for the United States Air Force. 🔗 Don’t miss out—get the full details and register below! . . . #AFWERX #Spark #Challenge #USAF #DAF #DoD #sUAS #innovation #missionreadiness

United States Air Force and United States Space Force Active Duty, Reserve, Guard and Government Civilians - do you want to help bring emerging technology to the warfighter? Join the AFWERX Fellowship Program today ❗ Less than a week left to apply to the Traditional Spring Fellowship! This 4-month program runs from February 10 to June 13 and offers Fellows the opportunity to support exciting projects across our Spark, Prime, Ventures, and SpaceWERX divisions. Opportunities may include: ▶️ Refinery or Challenge program assistance ▶️ MAJCOM outreach ▶️ Contract review and industry engagement ▶️ Space industry partnership building Don’t miss this opportunity to join our team and lead in innovation! 💻 Learn more and apply by January 26: https://ow.ly/Velu50UHME6 This is your last chance to attend our Ask Me Anything (AMA) webinar❗ Join us on Wednesday, January 22, from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET, where our Fellowship team will answer your questions, including “What is a Fellowship?” and “How do I get started?”.    💻 Join via Microsoft Teams: https://ow.ly/vfr750UHME5 (Meeting ID: 993 431 762 338 | Passcode: Tz6KQ3i6) ☎️ Or call in on your mobile device, at ‪(US)+1 410-874-6750‬ PIN: 924 232 375# . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #Fellowship #InnovativeAF #Airmen #Guardian #USAF #USSF #SpaceForce #AirForce #warfighter #technology #ActiveDuty #Reserve #Guard #Government #opportunity

📢 Last Chance to Register for the AFWERX Challenge Virtual AMA! Join us this Thursday at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT for an engaging Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. We’re featuring two trailblazers, Maj. Jason Lowery and Lt. Ryan Collins, who bring firsthand experience in solving mission-critical challenges through the AFWERX Challenge program. Learn strategies to accelerate innovation, gain insights into the Challenge process, and discover how you can participate in future opportunities. ➡️ Register now and help shape the future of innovation for the Air and Space Forces! https://ow.ly/bH3h50UHfkX . . . #AFWERX #Spark #Challenge #Program #USAF #DAF #SpaceWERX #USSF #InnovationUnleashed #webinar #AMA #series #virtual

It’s Get Involved Monday! 🤩 Ready to explore new opportunities? Every Monday, we’ll share upcoming events, available openings, and key dates to help you stay on top of all things AFWERX! Don’t miss out—check out what’s coming up through February! ➡️ Find links for full details here: https://ow.ly/RH8v50UIbK9 . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #GetInvolvedMonday #opportunities #government #funding #events #webinars

🔥 Our AFWERX Spark program empowers Airmen & Guardians to turn powerful ideas into game-changing operational realities. Check out some grassroots projects in action at the AFA Warfare Symposium, March 3-5, at booth #403! Explore rotating project displays, meet teams from our AFWERX programs, and learn how to accelerate change with United States Department of the Air Force & United States Department of Defense resources through programs like SBIR/STTR. 📍 Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. Get all the details here: https://ow.ly/Y9pK50UErQt . . . #AFWERX #MissionDownload #Spark #Airmen #Guardians #SBIR #STTR #innovation #technology #USAF #USSF #DAF #DoD

🚨 UPDATE: The SpaceWERX “Virtual Booth” webinar on Wednesday, January 15 has been cancelled. We apologize for the late notice and appreciate your understanding. While we work on rescheduling the webinar, check out what’s coming up now through early February. Full details and upcoming events can be found here: https://ow.ly/YrAr50UFnEy  . . . #AFWERX #SpaceWERX #GetInvolvedMonday #opportunities #government #funding #events #webinars

One of AFWERX’s key objectives is to CONNECT THE ECOSYSTEM - uniting diverse stakeholders spanning private sector businesses, investors, and government entities, to foster a cohesive innovation network. Our Strategic and Tactical Funding Increase (STRATFI/TACFI) initiatives are great examples of how AFWERX “Connects the Ecosystem.” As our portfolio companies advance to this stage in the United States Department of the Air Force SBIR/STTR program and bridge the capability gap from Phase II, connections between the technologists and the warfighters are strengthened to rapidly translate innovations into mission-ready capabilities. 📣 Small business innovators and government end-users eligible to submit to the open PY25.2 TACFI Notice of Opportunity: be sure to join this week’s Ask Me Anything webinar! 💻 This is a great opportunity to review the documents, ask questions about the submission process, and gain valuable insights to help you create a complete and thorough submission to tackle issues across the defense ecosystem! 🗓️Join us on Thursday, January 16, at 1 p.m. ET. https://ow.ly/lFxL50UFySw . . . #AFWERX #AFWERXObjectives #ConnectTheEcosystem #Ventures #TACFI #event #webinar #government #collaboration #DAF #DOD