NOVEMBER 19-21, 2025 | NATIONAL HARBOR, MD
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Addressing Critical Technologies and National Priorities
Transforming advanced materials and manufacturing challenges into opportunities.
In alignment with U.S. national priorities and critical technologies, we invite innovators to enter the TechConnect Critical Technologies Challenge: Materials and Manufacturing. The Challenge is an open innovation program designed to accelerate transformative technologies in lockstep with rapidly evolving strategic priorities for national, societal, and economic security.
Participate in the nation’s largest pooling of federal, private, and corporate funding and acceleration opportunities!
- Pitch on a Global Stage – Present your solution to key industry, investment and government decision-makers and funders.
- Access Funders – Connect directly with leadership representing over $8 billion in annual emerging technology funding through SBIR and OTA contract offices and vehicles.
- Shape the Conversation – Position yourself and your innovation at the forefront of the industry’s transformation, influencing the direction of policy, funding, and development.
Areas of Interest:
- Advanced materials and nanotech
- Additive manufacturing and 3D printing
- Defense industrial base manufacturing
- Rare earths and critical materials
- Materials for hypersonics
- In-space manufacturing
- Energy and sustainable materials
- AI for materials and manufacturing
- Characterization and imaging
- Biomaterials and biofabrication
- and more!
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Our industry and government tech scouts seek cutting-edge, commercially viable innovations, including technologies from university and research labs with actionable IP and spinouts; startups seeking investment, licensing, partnering actions; and federal awardees (i.e., SBIR, OTA, DARPA, ARPAE, ARPAH, BARDA).
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Submit your technology for review. If selected, you will confirm your position and pitch to a panel of investment, industry, and national security leadership in National Harbor, MD at the conference.
PITCH & SHOWCASE
TechConnect will notify finalists in June. Selected companies must confirm their participation through either a registration or showcase fee, as indicated upon notification.
Pitch dates: November 19-21, 2025
Challenge location: Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD
Questions? Please contact Emma Mooney: emma.mooney@techconnect.org
2024 Sponsors & Partners 
2024 SBIR/STTR Agency Partners  |
Defense TechConnect is the nations largest innovation matchmaking program aligned with national technology priorities and federal funding opportunities.
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