Commercialize Advanced Technology
The PROPELS program is an incredible opportunity to commercialize cutting-edge technology developed at NSWC Crane, the third-largest naval installation in the world. We're holding a PROPELS Sprint Week during Innovation Week (Nov. 17-22). The goal of the sprint is to bring together entrepreneurs and innovators with the inventors from Crane, and over the course of the week uncover a use case for the IP outside of the DoD environment.
In collaboration with Crane, we'll run support programming throughout the week to better equip the entrepreneurs in areas of commercialization, market research, working with the federal government, connections to capital, and shared experiences from entrepreneurs who have licensed federal IP. On Friday, Nov. 22, we're holding a showcase where teams will make a pitch for commercialization. We'll have a panel to provide feedback on their ideas and provide additional support and connections. Teams that complete PROPELS will be invited to participate in our PROPELS Pre-Accelerator program in early 2025 to continue the momentum from the sprint week.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Events Throughout Innovation Week
Sunday, November 17 | PROPELS Kick-Off
Doors Open 2:30PM, Program from 3:00-6:00 PM
Meet with your team and learn more about Crane, Tech Transfer, and the IP you’ll be working with during the week.
3:30 PM | Technology Transfer Success
Jason Evatt, Airborne Outfitters
Transferring technology from lab to market fosters collaboration between industry and government partners at every step of the process. Hear how Airborne Outfitters high-risk paid off while working with NSWC Crane.
4:30 PM | The T2 Journey and Major Learning Points
Panel Moderated by Amanda McCullough, NSWC Crane Technology Transfer Office
Panel Members: Maria Duran, NSWC Crane; Nida Shaikh, TechLink; Jason Evatt, Airborne Outfitters
Engage with professionals from multiple backgrounds that are associated with leveraging research and intellectual property to build and further startups and businesses.
5:15 PM | Closing Remarks/Event Recap
Maria Duran, NSWC Crane Technology Transfer Office
Monday, November 18
All day!
9:30 AM | How to license Intellectual Property (IP) from a Federal Lab
Nida Shaikh, TechLink
How to License Intellectual Property from Federal Labs: Through technology transfer, TechLink can assist businesses of all sizes to partner with DOD labs to significantly cut time and resources from their R&D efforts, bringing new products and services to market with speed and efficiency.
10:15 AM | Entrepreneurship Lessons Learned
Jason Evatt, Airborne Outfitters
As a successful NSWC Crane licensee and entrepreneur, Jason Evatt, has plenty of scar tissue from his experiences on his entrepreneurial journey. Learn from a small business owner who is developing federally developed IP and why he has charted this course for his business.
11 AM | Bridging Capital
Panel Moderated by Steve Bryant, Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Panel Members: Cy Menign, Elevate Ventures; Alyssa Robertson, National Security Innovation Network; Flywheel Fund
Financing your idea can be difficult, meet a few experts who can give you ideas of how you can potentially bridge capital to cover immediate needs of your business until you find long-term funding.
12:45 PM | Cooperative Research & Development Agreements 101
Maria Duran, NSWC Crane Technology Transfer Office
Financing your idea can be difficult, meet a few experts who can give you ideas of how you can potentially bridge capital to cover immediate needs of your business until you find long-term funding.
1:15 PM | Federal Lab Opportunities
Annie Bullock, NSWC Crane
The Federal Lab Consortium consists of 300+ Federal Lab with Technology Transfer programs. Learn more about the Federal Labs and resources that can be made available to you and your business.
3 PM | Market Research
Hayley Cranfill, South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Not sure if there is a place for your idea? Leverage the SBDC team to learn more about the market you would like to enter with the IP and its feasibility and demand.
4:30–6:30 PM | Meet the Tech!
Spend time with the NSWC Crane inventors and researchers who developed Navy IP and the Technology Transfer Team.
Wednesday, November 20
9 AM | Commercialization Ideation Session
David Scott, Techlink
How to leverage DOD licensed technologies to build your business, increase the size and commercial attractiveness of your business, and improve the transfer of DOD licensed technologies to the commercial sector to benefit the American public and U.S. military.
10 AM | How to Develop your Pitch Deck
Parker Busick, gBeta alumnus
Refine your pitch deck or build one for the first time with the assistance of an expert. Increase the attractiveness, delivery and increase your chances of catching the attention of your audience!
2 PM | SBIR/STTR Opportunities
Autumn McCombs, NAVSEA
Learn about America’s seed fund that supports startups and small business with research and development funding and chart a path to Commercialization.
2:45 PM | Federal Programs for Small Businesses
Panel Moderated by Matt Burkett, ARI
Panel Members: Kaylee Diamond, NSWC Crane Small Business Deputy; Lindsay Maliqi, Small Business Administration (SBA); APEX Accelerator; Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Learn about opportunities available to start-ups and small businesses interested in leveraging local and federal resources for their business as well as opportunities to do business with the Federal Government.
Thursday, November 22
1:30 PM | Indiana Programs that Support the Veteran and Veteran Spouses as an Entrepreneur
Panel Moderated by Kaylee Diamond, NSWC Crane Small Business Deputy
Panel Members: Courtney Zaugg, VentureVets; Laura Schfsnitz, SBA; Heath Murray Defense Innovation Networking Group (D!NG)
Learn about projects and programs set to propel our entrepreneurial ecosystem for veterans, spouses of veterans and those interested in entering in the defense sector.
2:15 PM | Intellectual Property (IP) as a Business Strategy
Mr. James O. Wilson, USPTO, Assistant Regional Director Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office
An overview of the four major types of IP and discussion on why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider them in their business plan
3 PM | Indiana Programs that Support the Entrepreneur – Panel Moderated by Panel Moderated by Matt Burkett, ARI
Panel Members: Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC); Blaine Parker, Radius Indiana; Steve Bryant, SBDC; The Mill
According to Forbes Magazine (October 2024) “Indiana ranks second in 2024, as a highly favorable state for starting a business.” Learn about different programs and agencies responsible for helping create Indiana’s Business Friendly Environment.
Friday, November 22 | PROPELS Showcase
Doors Open 12:30PM, Program from 1:00-3:00 PM
You’ve been working all week to uncover a market opportunity for the IP and setting a strong foundation for your new startup. This is the opportunity to share what you’ve been working on with a panel of experts to get feedback on your idea.
ALL WEEK LONG
Workshops, panels, and networking opportunities to support you as you and your team work with the IP
EARLY 2025
Participation in our PROPELS Pre-Accelerator where you can continue the momentum you built throughout the week. Join other PROPELS participants for content sessions with subject matter experts and mentors to help guide towards launching your new venture.