If you're a veteran founder staring at a blank page and wondering what you could solve, I have some great news for you: the military has already told you exactly what it needs. It has written down, publicly available, and organized into a clear list of technology gaps it needs you to fill. You just need to know where to look.
The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW (R&E)) publishes its component technology priority areas through the Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Office. These are strict mission-oriented technology that each military component has identified as a critical part of its future operations.
The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW (R&E)) publishes its component technology priority areas through the Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Office. These are strict mission-oriented technology that each military component has identified as a critical part of its future operations.
The Military's Technology Priority Areas
The OUSW(R&E) tells us exactly where the Department of War is actively seeking innovation. Here's the full list, drawn directly from the official component technology priority area document.
FutureG
The military is looking for emerging wireless network technologies. This includes 5G and beyond that allows military operations a free and open internet.
Trusted AI and Autonomy
Big tech isn't just interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning, the military needs it too. The military is actively looking for systems that can perform tasks that once required individuals. Autonomy is imperative to dominate future conflicts.
Biotechnology
Using living systems to produce technologies and capabilities, from fighting pandemics to reducing logistics costs and increasing energy efficiency.
Advanced Computing and Software
The Department of War must rapidly modernize its legacy software systems with resilient and assured software. This means supercomputing, cloud computing, data processing, data storage all need modernizing.
Integrated Sensing and Cyber
Wideband sensors that operate at the intersection of cyberspace, electronic warfare, radar, and communications. Sensors can no longer be stove-piped and single-function.
Directed Energy (DE)
High-energy particle beams that produce precision disruption or destruction of military targets at range
Hypersonics
Systems that can fly within the atmosphere at or above five times the speed of sound.
Microelectronics
Circuits and components that serve as the brain of electronic systems.
Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
Capabilities to communicate and disseminate information in real time. Enable effective command and control in areas with contested electromagnetic environments.
Quantum Science
The military is studying physical properties at atomic scales. This can include atomic clocks, quantum sensors, quantum computing, and quantum networks
Space Technology
The Department of War needs technology that maintains in space operations — anything including space flight, communication, and space technology.
Renewable Energy Generation and Storage
Any energy generation including solar, wind, bio-based, and geothermal technologies. Advanced energy storage and power grid integration.
Human-Machine Interface
immersive training environments, virtual reality and any technologies related to the human-machine interaction.
Advanced Materials
New materials and manufacturing techniques that imrove strength, weight, and efficiency.
Advanced Infrastructure & Advanced Manufacturing
The combination of traditional physical assets with cyber-technologies to improve logistics and increase unit readiness
Combat Casualty Care
The military is always looking to reduce mortality and morbidity injuries through life-saving strategies.
Military Infection Disease
Innovations to prevent and predict infectious disease threats to the total force.
Military Operational Medicine
Countermeasures against stress that includes environmental factors to maximize health and fitness performance.
Mission Readiness & Disaster Preparedness
Technology that keeps weapons systems in full mission capable status.
Nuclear
Technologies that support nuclear command, control, and communications
Sustainment & Logistics
Technologies that support the maintenance of existing infrastructure.
The Space Force On-Orbit Space Logistics Challenge
As we maneuver warfare into the space domain, the Space Forces requires a logistics backbone that can support autonomous resupply, refueling, repair, and recovery of U.S. space assets in Earths Orbit. As it currently stands, most spacecraft are not built for multiple launches. There is a finite supply of fuel with limited ability to adapt after launch. There are not current ways to transport fuel, parts or other critical supplies to spacecraft that are orbiting the Earth.
The challenge is looking for mature technologies that can directly transition into prototypes. Participants must know how their technology contributes to this on-orbit space challenge.
The challenge is looking for mature technologies that can directly transition into prototypes. Participants must know how their technology contributes to this on-orbit space challenge.
Real Veterans with Real Contracts
Plenty of companies have walked this path already, here are some examples:
Pathfinder Systems
Obsidian Solutions Group
Ombra
Sherpa 6
Pathfinder Systems
Obsidian Solutions Group
Ombra
Sherpa 6
How Can Veterans Start?
If you're a veteran with an idea or even just have the beginning of one, here's your plan:
1. Read the Component Technology Priority Areas: The document is your idea generation tool. Every piece on that list represents a fundamental need. Cross-reference it with your own operational experience. What problems did you see while you served that no one was solving?
2. Go to SBIR.gov and review the open topics: The DoD regularly releases new topics. These topics are organized by technology area and describes a specific problem the military wants solved. If you see a topic that matches your expertise, that can be your opening.
3. Look at the Space Force OOSL Challenge or Previous Challenges: Look at how the challenge is structured, ensure you understand the rules, and follow along to see a live opportunity. This challenge is specifically looking for technologies that can transition into real prototypes.
4. Connect with the veteran startup community: Startupsbyvets.org is the place to connect with founders who have navigated the SBIR/STTR process. You can search programs that have connections to the defense innovation ecosystem.
5. Start Small and iterate: You don't need a finished product to apply to Phase I SBIR. You need a compelling idea and a clear understanding of how the DoD would benefit.
1. Read the Component Technology Priority Areas: The document is your idea generation tool. Every piece on that list represents a fundamental need. Cross-reference it with your own operational experience. What problems did you see while you served that no one was solving?
2. Go to SBIR.gov and review the open topics: The DoD regularly releases new topics. These topics are organized by technology area and describes a specific problem the military wants solved. If you see a topic that matches your expertise, that can be your opening.
3. Look at the Space Force OOSL Challenge or Previous Challenges: Look at how the challenge is structured, ensure you understand the rules, and follow along to see a live opportunity. This challenge is specifically looking for technologies that can transition into real prototypes.
4. Connect with the veteran startup community: Startupsbyvets.org is the place to connect with founders who have navigated the SBIR/STTR process. You can search programs that have connections to the defense innovation ecosystem.
5. Start Small and iterate: You don't need a finished product to apply to Phase I SBIR. You need a compelling idea and a clear understanding of how the DoD would benefit.
The Mission is Still The Same, The Battlefield is Different.
The military publishes lists of problems it needs fixing today. It has a track record of funding veteran-owned businesses that deliver. It has specific and urgent challenges that needs fixing.
It just needs innovators like you.
You've spent your career solving impossible problems under pressure. You've lead the teams and you've become more resilient, continuing to push forward when everything seems to be falling apart.
Now the military needs you once more, and you know exactly how to answer the call.
It just needs innovators like you.
You've spent your career solving impossible problems under pressure. You've lead the teams and you've become more resilient, continuing to push forward when everything seems to be falling apart.
Now the military needs you once more, and you know exactly how to answer the call.