WIN Summit Series
Where Defense Innovation Finds Its Mission
The WIN Summit Series, presented by the Department of the Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition (DAFT3) Office, is a series of events that connect government, academia, industry, and nontraditional innovators to accelerate and support national security innovation.
What To Expect
The WIN Summit Series, presented by DAFT3, brings together government, industry, academia, and innovators to foster meaningful collaboration across the defense innovation ecosystem.
Through direct engagement with government stakeholders, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the series helps connect emerging technologies with mission needs while building partnerships that support national security and regional innovation growth.
Upcoming Events
2026 Events
Six events across the country, each designed to engage and strengthen its regional defense innovation.
Louisville, Kentucky
August 11, 2026 | 2:30 - 6:00 PM
The Nucleus Building, 300 East Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
Location, TBA
September, 2026
DETAILS TBA
Little Rock, Arkansas
October, 2026
DETAILS TBA
Leesburg, Virginia
December, 2026
DETAILS TBA
Seattle, Washington
May 13, 2026
Pacific Northwest Mission Accelerator Center, 1100 SW 27th St Renton, WA 98057
COMPLETED
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
January 29, 2026
Pittsburgh Technology Council, Nova Place, 100 S Commons #172, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
COMPLETED
What to Expect
How Each Summit Works
Every event in the series is intentionally designed around meaningful government engagement, allowing attendees to connect directly with stakeholders, ask questions, and build relationships beyond traditional presentations.
❯ Panel + Q&A
Hear directly from government stakeholders on mission needs, emerging gaps, and what they’re looking for from industry.
❯ Direct Networking
Engage directly with government stakeholders, industry leaders, speakers, and fellow innovators in an environment built for collaboration, relationship-building, and actionable discussions.
❯ Transition Pathways
Leave with a clearer picture of contracting entry points and what it takes to move a technology into operational use.
Who Attends
Built for the Full Ecosystem
Small Businesses
Nontraditional innovators looking to uncover new opportunities, navigate defense contracting, and build relationships with government stakeholders.
Academia
Faculty, researchers, and university labs who are working on dual-use technologies with national security applications.
Government
DoW program managers, acquisition professionals, and agency reps who are seeking innovative solutions to mission challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The WIN Summit Series, presented by DAFT3, is a national series connecting government, academia, industry, and nontraditional innovators to accelerate and support national security innovation.
-
Small businesses, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and government stakeholders interested in advancing national security innovation, building partnerships, and engaging with the defense innovation ecosystem.
-
Each event is tailored to address the unique priorities, challenges, and opportunities of the region in which it is hosted. Topics may include mission priorities, capability gaps, technology transition pathways, SBIR/STTR opportunities, partnerships, and other innovation-focused initiatives.
-
Yes. While attending in person is the most impactful, a virtual option will be available for the Panel and Q&A sessions for each event.
-
No. Every WIN Summit Series is free to attend - virtually and in person.
-
Yes. New locations and event details will be announced as they are confirmed.
Who We Are
About WIN
The Warfighting Integration Network (WIN) connects academic, small business, and government partners to accelerate defense innovation and technology transition.
Led by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with Vertx Partners, WIN is an executed program under the APEX (Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment) umbrella, delivering education, coaching, and connection services for nontraditional innovators nationwide.
About DAFT3
The Department of Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition (DAFT3) Program Office serves as the Air Force’s central hub for technology transfer, connecting innovative Air Force research and technologies with industry, academia, and government partners. Through strategic partnerships, technology transition support, outreach, and commercialization efforts, DAFT3 facilitates the implementation of innovative Air Force technologies into products and services that benefit the warfighter and the public while supporting Air Force research through collaborative partnerships.