Forge Institute, in partnership with Department of Air Force APEX PIA, ignites Atomic Anvil to strengthen the Region’s Defense Innovation Ecosystem & Bring Innovation to the Warfighter
Atomic Anvil supports the warfighter by engaging academics, small businesses & startups, non-traditional defense entities and mission owners through Connection, Innovation & Acceleration.
Forge Institute today announced the launch of Atomic Anvil, a groundbreaking program designed to bolster national security by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and non-traditional entities to mission partners within the Department of Defense. This initiative, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with Parallax Advanced Research (Parallax), will accelerate technology transfer and transition to address critical national security needs.
"Innovating at the speed of mission is imperative as we develop national security capabilities to outpace the adversary,” said Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO of the Forge Institute. “Atomic Anvil is designed to rapidly connect, innovate, and accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge solutions, ensuring our warfighters maintain the decisive advantage."
"Our long-standing collaboration with Forge Institute represents a crucial alliance in driving innovation for the modern warfighter,” said Brigadier General Chad Bridges, Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard. “By combining diverse expertise, next generational technologies and lessons learned from the battlefield, we will develop the tools and strategies necessary to ensure our forces remain agile, prepared, and ahead of emerging threats."
Atomic Anvil strengthens the regional defense innovation ecosystem by directly connecting academic researchers, small businesses and startups, and non-traditional entities with mission partners across the DoD. The program focuses on advancing capabilities, bridging critical technology gaps, and addressing pressing defense mission challenges.
Atomic Anvil will provide numerous ways to engage through three key areas:
Connect: Attend Industry Days, workshops, and process navigation assistance connect participants with mission partners (to validate capabilities) and funding opportunities like SBIR/STTR, OTAs, and grants.
Innovate: Participate in facilitated sprints focused on mission-oriented challenges, paid internships, access to Cyber & AI labs, and technology assessments provide hands-on development opportunities.
Accelerate: Access to Mentorship, Defense 101 Course, and participation in the Embers Xcelerator (pre-accelerator) program strengthen the regional defense innovation ecosystem and support innovators and entrepreneurs.
Atomic Anvil concentrates on key defense areas, including defense advanced manufacturing, photonics and directed energy, mobility and drone/counter-drone technologies, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, ISR, direct fires, critical minerals, supply chain, and other critical technologies key to national defense.
"Arkansas has a rich history of contributing to our nation's defense, and the launch of Atomic Anvil by Forge Institute can serve to continue that legacy. By fostering collaboration across higher education, small businesses and national security firms, this initiative is poised to help accelerate the development of critical technologies for our warfighters. I am proud to support efforts that strengthen our defense industrial base and create jobs in Arkansas while ensuring our state remains a leader in national security advancements,” said U.S. Senator John Boozman.
The program collaborates with organizations such as the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance (AADA), and Arkansas APEX Accelerator, leveraging their incredible expertise and knowledge to maximize the impact of the program.
This program was funded through direct support from U.S. Senator John Boozman via a grant from AFRL under Partnership Intermediary Agreement No. FA8650-3-9325 and is executed in partnership with APEX, a DAF Partnership Intermediary Program.
Forge Institute invites academics, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders with innovative research or technologies relevant to defense needs to participate in Atomic Anvil. Visit https://www.forge.institute/atomic-anvil to learn more.
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Key Facts
Atomic Anvil will help fortify the U.S. Defense Industrial Base by advancing critical technologies and fostering partnerships to meet Department of Defense (DoD) mission needs.
Forge Institute connects innovators with defense funding opportunities and contracting pathways to accelerate the development and delivery of new solutions that strengthen national defense.
Forge Institute is inviting academics, entrepreneurs, and industry experts with innovative research or technologies that are relevant to defense missions to participate in Atomic Anvil.
