DEFx Indy is a hit!

It was a tremendous evening of discussion, collaboration and networking at DEFx Indianapolis as members of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum discussed the ripple effect of the Endless Frontier Act on Indiana and the Midwest.

Senator Todd Young, co-author of the Endless Frontier Act, addressed the crowd via video and explained that, "Investing in innovation is key to keeping America safe and it's crucial to create an offensive

approach to keep our political foes at bay." The Act would invest up to $120 billion in research and development and potentially create 10 tech hubs, one of which could be located in the Midwest. These hubs of innovation will concentrate on 10 focus area technologies including: microelectronics, quantum computuing, artificial intelligence, maching learning, advanced communications and advanced energy technologies.

During the evening, Steve Bryant, excutive director of the Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Bloomington, unveiled the new Indiana Strategic Defense Accelerator (INSDA) in partnership with NSWC Crane. He also showcased a video highlighting the first company participating in INSDA, geoConvergence.

This video was made possible by the Indiana Strategic Defense Accelerator (INSDA), a collaboration between the Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane). By supporting non-traditional defense contractors, INSDA endeavors to promote small, qualified businesses working to support our warfighters and U.S. national security interests.

A panel of experts discussed the implications of the Endless Frontier Act and the creation of a local tech hub on Indiana non-traditional defense contractors, academia and government entities. The panel included: Lawrence Walter, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at IEDC, Chris Jeffers, Indiana State Director of PTAC, Jenna Dix, Acting Director of Engagement at NSWC Crane, Derek Whitley, CEO and founder of ThinkerLabs and Damir Cavar, CEO and co-founder of Semiring, Inc.