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DoD is recruiting startups for xTechIgnite competition

Deadline: March 12, 2025

The U.S. Army invites interested entities to participate in the xTechIgnite competition, a competition for eligible small businesses across the U.S. to engage with the Department of Defense (DoD), earn prize money and submit a Phase I or Direct to Phase II (D2PhII) Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal.

The xTechIgnite competition will consist of three rounds:

1) Call for concept white papers;

2) Final pitch event/demonstration; and

3) Opportunity to submit a Phase I or D2PhII Army SBIR proposal.

The competition will award up to $400,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition to selected participants. Up to 64 finalists will receive a cash prize of $2,500 each and an invitation to pitch their innovative technology solutions to a panel of Army and DoD subject matter experts (SMEs) in May 2025 during an in-person event. 

In addition to non-dilutive cash prizes, participants will have the opportunity to engage with Army and DoD representatives through information-sharing and networking opportunities.

Topics and Problem Statements

The U.S. Army is interested in cutting-edge technology solutions that will drive significant advancements in military capabilities while addressing complex challenges and enhancing national security.

For topic areas 1-3, the competition seeks white papers for research and development efforts to prove the feasibility and commercialization potential of technology solutions that fit within one of the following topic areas:

  • Topic 1: Innovative Operations for Treatment and Processing of Wastewater
  • Topic 2: Generative AI-enabled Tactical Network
  • Topic 3: Bridge Health Monitoring (BHM) System

For topic areas 4-7, the competition seeks white papers for research and development efforts to produce well-defined prototype technology solutions that fit within one of the following topic areas:

  • Topic 4: Ruggedized Sensors to Increase Driving Visibility and Vehicle Safety
  • Topic 5: Artificial Intelligence for Aided Driving of Ground Combat Vehicles
  • Topic 6: AI – Enabled Source Selection
  • Topic 7: AI – Enabled Portfolio Management
  • Topic 8: Novel AI Techniques for Insights in Various Environments (NATIVE)

 

Submission Process and Dates

Submit your application here: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/xtechignite/signup

Deadline: March 12, 2025

 

For additional information about the competition, please visit:

https://www.xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechignite/

Deadline: March 12, 2025
Posted on: February 27, 2025

The U.S. Army invites interested entities to participate in the xTechIgnite competition, a competition for eligible small businesses across the U.S. to engage with the Department of Defense (DoD), earn prize money and submit a Phase I or Direct to Phase II (D2PhII) Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal.

The xTechIgnite competition will consist of three rounds:

1) Call for concept white papers;

2) Final pitch event/demonstration; and

3) Opportunity to submit a Phase I or D2PhII Army SBIR proposal.

The competition will award up to $400,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition to selected participants. Up to 64 finalists will receive a cash prize of $2,500 each and an invitation to pitch their innovative technology solutions to a panel of Army and DoD subject matter experts (SMEs) in May 2025 during an in-person event. 

In addition to non-dilutive cash prizes, participants will have the opportunity to engage with Army and DoD representatives through information-sharing and networking opportunities.

Topics and Problem Statements

The U.S. Army is interested in cutting-edge technology solutions that will drive significant advancements in military capabilities while addressing complex challenges and enhancing national security.

For topic areas 1-3, the competition seeks white papers for research and development efforts to prove the feasibility and commercialization potential of technology solutions that fit within one of the following topic areas:

  • Topic 1: Innovative Operations for Treatment and Processing of Wastewater
  • Topic 2: Generative AI-enabled Tactical Network
  • Topic 3: Bridge Health Monitoring (BHM) System

For topic areas 4-7, the competition seeks white papers for research and development efforts to produce well-defined prototype technology solutions that fit within one of the following topic areas:

  • Topic 4: Ruggedized Sensors to Increase Driving Visibility and Vehicle Safety
  • Topic 5: Artificial Intelligence for Aided Driving of Ground Combat Vehicles
  • Topic 6: AI – Enabled Source Selection
  • Topic 7: AI – Enabled Portfolio Management
  • Topic 8: Novel AI Techniques for Insights in Various Environments (NATIVE)

 

Submission Process and Dates

Submit your application here: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/xtechignite/signup

Deadline: March 12, 2025

 

For additional information about the competition, please visit:

https://www.xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechignite/

Additional information about the individual SBIR solicitations, please visit:


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