The Catalyst Accelerator has named the six small businesses that will participate in its directed energy and electromagnetic warfare cohort. From August to November, the cohort will meet every two weeks to collaborate with subject matter experts and engage with government and commercial navigators to build connections and develop technologies for the warfighter.
The cohort, The Catalyst Accelerator’s 15th overall, is the first to be executed in partnership with the U.S. Space Force’s Space Security and Defense Program.
“The Space Security and Defense Program is excited to see such a diverse set of technologies in the Electromagnetic Warfare and Directed Energy Sector,” commented Maj. Joshua Haneline, deputy division chief of the electromagnetic warfare division at SSDP. “We are looking forward to bringing these small businesses together to develop innovative solutions for the warfighter.”
The Catalyst Accelerator is powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate. It provides an opportunity for non-traditional technology companies to enter the national defense ecosystem through mentorship and business development activities.
Catalyst Accelerator’s Selected Startups
The Catalyst Accelerator team selected the small businesses based on the potential of their capability offerings. The new cohort’s participants are:
- Aptos Orbital, a Palo Alto, California-headquartered firm developing a radio frequency mesh network that can connect and compute across space without needing ground stations.
- Dcubed USA from Berthoud, Colorado, aims to build a next generation of in-space manufactured infrastructure.
- Millennial Software, a company from Chantilly, Virginia, offers next-generation space battle management platforms powered by artificial intelligence and automation to accelerate decision advantage.
- Overwatch OT, which hails from Lakewood Ranch, Florida, specializes in AI, EW and cyber technical systems.
- Quadsat, a Danish firm, provides RF spectrum testing, antenna validation, and electromagnetic environment monitoring platforms.
- RedTail Technology, a startup from Sydney, Australia, develops directed energy laser technology.
The six small businesses will pitch their technologies to government, industry and investors on Nov. 20.
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