September 22-24, 2026 | NATIONAL HARBOR, MD
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Advancing Maritime Dominance Through Manufacturing Innovation
In 2025, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Challenge launched in response to the Executive Order to Revitalize U.S. Maritime Power, bringing forward emerging technologies positioned to strengthen the future of American shipbuilding and maritime readiness. The inaugural Challenge highlighted the growing role of advanced manufacturing, automation, materials, digital engineering, and industrial innovation in supporting U.S. Navy modernization priorities and expanding the nation’s maritime industrial base.
Now entering its second year, the Challenge continues to accelerate innovation aligned with the U.S. Navy’s advanced manufacturing strategy and the national imperative to rebuild American maritime strength.
The initiative seeks transformative technologies that can modernize shipbuilding, sustainment, maintenance, logistics, workforce capability, and industrial resilience. By connecting non-traditional innovators, advanced manufacturers, startups, defense stakeholders, and maritime leaders, the Challenge helps identify scalable solutions that strengthen lifecycle efficiency, expand production capacity, and improve operational readiness across the maritime ecosystem.
AREAS OF INTEREST:
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
- Subtractive Manufacturing
- Coatings and Surfaces
- Advanced Machining and Joining
- Robotics and Automation
- Sensing and Measurement
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
- Characterization and Visualization
- Modeling, Simulation and Design
- Digital Twins and Smart Shipyards
- Digitalization and Connectivity
- Other Key Manufacturing Innovations
Timeline:
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Informational Webinar: June 11 at 12:30pm CT / 1:30pm ET Register |
| ⊙ | Applications Due: June 23 |
| ⊙ | Notify Semifinalists: Mid-July |
| ⊙ | Virtual Semifinalist Pitch: July 29 |
| ⊙ | Notify Finalists: Early August |
| ⊙ | Pitch in National Harbor, MD: September 23 |
Award Structure:
| First Place: | $25,000 |
| Second Place: | $15,000 |
| Third Place: | $10,000 |
PITCH TO WIN
TechConnect will invite up to ten (10) finalists to present their solutions to a panel of industry, government, and technical experts.
Finalists will present their technologies live at the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit and Expo on September 23 in National Harbor, MD, where government, defense, and industry leaders will evaluate technologies with the potential to directly support naval readiness and the future of American shipbuilding.
Finalist Benefits Include:
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Full conference pass |
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Visibility to industry, government, and ecosystem leaders focused on deployment |
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Eligibility for a $50,000 total prize pool |
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Connection to a growing ecosystem advancing U.S. maritime manufacturing base |
