Dual-Use University Accelerator Challenge (United States)

Deadline: 25 June 2025

The Defense Innovation Unit is hosting a Dual-Use University Accelerator Challenge to identify and support cutting-edge innovations that address critical DoD needs.

The event serves as the entry point to a 12-week accelerator program designed to prepare innovators for the complexities of the defense market and position them for success.

Aims

By offering funding, mentorship, and strategic access to both DoD and private-sector resources, the challenge aims to advance technological maturity and enable viable go-to-government strategies for high-impact national security solutions.

Focus Areas

The specific focus areas for the challenge include:
- Technological solutions aligned with DoD mission needs in:
  - Energy (ex. Energy Storage, Power Grid Integration, Renewable Energy Gen, Directed Energy, etc.)
  - Autonomy (ex. Logistical Solutions, Contested Navigation, C-UAS, etc.)
  - AI (ex. ML Advancement, Battle Space Awareness, etc.)
  - Cyber/Telecommunications (ex. Tactical EW, Secure Info Sharing, 5G / EM Spectrum Dev, etc.)
  - Emerging Tech (ex. Additive Manufacturing, Augmented Reality, Hypersonics, etc.)
  - Human Systems
  - Space
- Commercially viable, dual-use technologies that address strategic gaps in defense capabilities.
- Innovations that demonstrate potential for scalability, cost-effectiveness, and operational impact.

Benefits

$500,000 prize pool
Entry into a 12 week accelerator program designed to enhance readiness for DoD market engagement.
Mentoring from subject matter experts in their ecosystem.
Use of prize authority shall be considered the use of competitive procedures for the purposes of chapter 221 of this title. Potential for follow-on opportunities such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), FAR-based contracts, and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs).
Comprehensive curriculum covering defense tech market insights, acquisition processes, and technology readiness development.
Opportunities for cross-startup collaboration.

Eligibility Criteria

U.S. owned and operated companies and startups that are:
- Founded by students, faculty, staff, recent graduates (within the past 18 months), or any combination thereof.
- AND early TRL 2-4 (pre-seed/seed stage) with limited or no prior DoD contracts.
- Ability to commit to the 12 week accelerator program.

Application Requirements

Teams will submit a pitch deck outlining their technology capabilities that addresses the capabilities and criteria listed above. Pitch decks should meet the following requirements:
- Address required and desired capabilities
- Highlight the technology’s alignment with DoD needs
- Horizontal presentation (16:9 ratio, PDF format)
- Maximum 15 slides including cover page
Video Submission Requirements:
- Teams will submit a video summarizing their technology capabilities that addresses the capabilities and criteria listed above. Videos should meet the following requirements:
- Non-public/unlisted youtube video link
- Maximum 90 seconds