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U.S. Navy Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) Program Showcased in the Twin Cities

The Defense Alliance conducted a small business-focused event today at the University of Minnesota to connect its Members' innovative late-stage technologies to opportunities in the Navy.  Mr. Brad Pantuck from the Office of Naval Research presented the service's requirements for solutions it needs in the Fleet and Marine Corps in the next 18-24 months.  The program is known as the Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF), a DoD-wide program that awards businesses up to $3 Million to solve urgent needs, from Artificial Intelligence to cybersecurity to power and energy systems.

52 people attended the morning event at the University's McNamara Alumni Center, and businesses were given the opportunity to present their technology commercialization projects to the Navy.  The program included a panel discussion from the leadership of three small businesses that have won previous RIF contracts - Minnesota Wire, Athena GTX and Third Wave Systems.   And representatives from Minneapolis-based 3M and Northrop Grumman discussed how small business can team with them to pursue defense market opportunities, including for the RIF program.

Defense Alliance is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)-funded Regional Innovation Cluster operated by LSI (www.lsiwins.com).