May 29, 2025 Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day

What: Forge Institute Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day, Sponsored in-part by AEDC & WFF

Why: Demo Day serves as the culmination of an intensive 12-week program, providing a platform for innovative Aerospace and Defense startups to showcase their companies and technology to a curated audience of investors, strategic partners, mission owners, contracting and procurement professionals, and business and community leaders. This event is not just about making presentations, it is about connecting innovators with mission owners, partners and enablers, and working together to drive innovation for the warfighter that increases readiness, enhances lethality, ensures survivability and maximizes mission effectiveness.

Who: Business and Community Leaders, Elected Officials, Defense Companies, Military leaders and mission operators, Academic Partners

When: 29 May 2025 (2-5 pm)

Startup Presentations & Keynotes (2-4 pm)

Happy Hour, Networking & Meeting the Startup Founders (4-5 pm)

Where: Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201

April 24, 2025 The Defense Catalyst: SIBR/STTR Workshop

FIND OUT ABOUT FUNDING FOR YOUR DEFENSE IDEAS.

Join Forge and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) program for a workshop focused on how innovators can engage with the Department of Defense through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

This session will provide an overview of SBIR/STTR and how the program funds emerging technologies for national defense applications. We’ll highlight ways small businesses and researchers can leverage SBIR funding to move from idea to impact and share practical tips for getting started.

Whether you’re a small business new to federal funding or a researcher exploring dual-use applications, this session will help you better understand the SBIR landscape and how to participate.

APEX operates under a partnership intermediary agreement (PIA) with the Department of the Air Force and managed by Parallax Advanced Research. APEX’s mission is to connect universities, businesses, and the government; build collaborations between these sectors; identify their transformational operational defense solutions and capabilities; and advance defense technology development for the Department of the Air Force.

May 13, 2025 Igniting Ingenuity: Lab Insights with Virginia Wright of Idaho National Labs

There are many parallels between a great technology career and a hero’s journey. We start out with one set of capabilities and expectations, and over time, hone our knowledge, skills, and abilities to have a greater impact on the world around us and receive greater rewards. We gain tools, contacts, and experiences that can help us on our way, and our goals and objectives change as our capabilities advance. Through the metaphor of an adventure game, this talk will help you identify how you can “level-up” your career and refine how you use your attributes and inventory for success.

30 APR - 1 MAY, 2025 - Research Day

AI/Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Research Day
Apr 30 - May 1, 2025

Co-Hosted by UA Little Rock, University of Arkansas & UA Pine Bluff

INVITATION

Join us for a premier event connecting government agencies and academic institutions to explore cyber, AI, and critical infrastructure workforce and research innovations that support the warfighter.

This Research Day facilitates collaboration between federal research entities, academic researchers, and government agencies by showcasing research, identifying mission needs, and advancing technology for national security.

Who Should Attend:

This event is tailored for government program managers seeking to align their mission needs with innovative academic research in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and critical infrastructure. It is also designed for academic researchers looking to showcase their work, understand federal R&D priorities, and explore opportunities for technology transition into government applications. Senior leaders, policy makers, and representatives from research institutions and federal agencies will benefit from this focused engagement.

What to Expect:

Over two days, attendees will engage with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and research presentations highlighting national security R&D priorities. Sessions will cover securing research, addressing workforce gaps, and leveraging academic innovation for national defense. The agenda includes breakout discussions, networking opportunities, and one-on-one meetings to facilitate direct collaboration between academia and government entities. A classified session will be available for eligible participants, providing deeper insights into mission-critical research needs.

This event is open exclusively to government agencies and academic institutions.

Forge Institute’s Atomic Anvil program is in partnership with APEX, a Department of Air Force (DAF) Partnership Intermediary Program (PIA). https://apex-innovates.org

AGENDA

Tuesday, Apr 29:
6:00 PM Reception/Happy Hour - Venue TBD (optional)

Wednesday, Apr 30:

7:00 AM Breakfast, Registration, Check-in

8:00 AM Welcome Remarks

8:15 AM Keynote Speaker

9:00 AM National Security Research & Development Priorities

9:30 AM Arkansas Federal Research & Development Report

10:00 AM Networking & 30 minute break

10:30 AM Academic Presentations

Group A - Workforce

Group B - Research

12:00 PM Lunch & Panel Discussions: Program Manager Priorities

01:15 PM Presentation: Threats to Research

01:45 PM Panel Discussions: Securing Research 

02:30 PM Networking & 30 minute break

03:00 PM Panel Discussion 

04:00 PM Panel Discussion

04:45 PM Closing & Keynote Speaker

05:00 PM Happy Hour & Posters

Thursday, May 1:

7:30 AM Breakout sessions

Group 1 (Classified)*

Group 2 (Unclassified)

11:30 AM Lunch & Guest Speaker

01:00 PM 1 on 1s

02:30 PM Facilitated Q&A

03:00 PM Closing & Keynote Speaker

*additional information will be provided soon