October 27, 2026
WIN Summit Series Dayton, Ohio
Supported by DAFT3, AFMC, Ohio APEX Accelerator, & D!NG
Connecting defense innovators with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) ecosystem through direct engagement with government and industry leaders, insights into autonomous systems and airspace technologies, and practical tools to navigate federal contracting opportunities.
Event Details
The Summit at a Glance
-
October 27, 2026 | 1:00 - 7:30 PM
-
Dayton AFWERX Hub
3000 Presidential Dr, Unit 200, Fairborn, OH 45324
-
Business casual is recommended.
-
Check-in will be located on the first floor upon entrance.
-
A valid government-issued photo ID is required to enter the building. Government personnel should bring their CAC (Common Access Card) for access.
-
Parking at the AFWERX Hub is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
Following the event, attendees are invited to join us for a networking social sponsored by D!NG. The location is within walking distance of the panel venue.
DoubleTree by Hilton
2800 Presidential Dr, Fairborn, OH 45324
5:30-7:30 pm
Advancing Autonomous Systems & Airspace Technologies
The Warfighting Integration Network (WIN) is coming to Ohio on October 27th to bring together government, industry, academia, and innovators to advance autonomous systems and airspace technologies in collaboration with DAFT3, AFMC, Ohio APEX Accelerator, & D!NG.
Additional panelists are pending confirmation and are expected to include an industry representative and additional government stakeholders.
❯ Built to Take Action
Designed to move beyond information sharing, the WIN Summit Series fosters direct engagement, relationship-building, and actionable pathways within the DAF ecosystem.
The event will begin with a SAM.gov and USASpending.gov workshop, providing practical guidance on navigating federal data, identifying opportunities, and turning information into actionable insights. This will be followed by a panel focused on Autonomous Systems & Airspace Technologies, exploring mission priorities, emerging capabilities, and transition opportunities, with audience Q&A and dedicated networking designed to spark meaningful connections across the defense innovation community.
❯ Who Should Attend
Small businesses
Academic researchers
Nontraditional innovators working on dual-use innovations
❯ What You’ll Walk Away With
Practical strategies for navigating USASpending.gov and SAM.gov
A better understanding of how to turn federal data into actionable information
Insights into DAF priorities, needs, and opportunities in Autonomous Systems & Airspace Technologies
A clearer understanding of potential pathways for engagement and technology transition
Meaningful connections with government, industry, and defense innovation partners
The Schedule
Your Agenda
Check-In - Open Throughout Programming
1:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Check-in will remain open for an extended period to accommodate attendees arriving for different portions of the event, including workshops, the panel, and networking.
SAM.gov Workshop with Damon Oaks
1:45 PM - 2:40 PM
Learn how to turn SAM.gov data into actionable information through a practical market research example. This workshop will walk through the inputs, process, outputs, and insights gained, using real-world examples and screenshots to demonstrate how businesses can use available information to better understand the government marketplace and inform their next steps.
USAspending.gov Workshop with Billy Grill
2:40 PM - 3:35 PM
Learn how to use USAspending.gov to better understand the federal contracting landscape and identify relevant opportunities. This workshop will explore how businesses can use federal spending data to research agencies, understand where funding is going, identify trends, and gain insights that can help inform their government engagement and business development strategies.
Hear directly from government and industry leaders as they discuss current priorities, challenges, and opportunities across autonomous systems and airspace technologies. The conversation will explore emerging needs, pathways for innovation and transition, and how industry can better position its capabilities to support government missions.
Autonomous Systems & Airspace Technologies Panel
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
1-on-1 Speed Networking
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Connect directly with government stakeholders for focused, one-on-one conversations around capabilities, priorities, and potential opportunities. Space is limited, and indicating interest does not guarantee a 1-on-1 meeting. Participants will be selected based on alignment and availability, with meeting times provided in advance.
D!NG Sponsored Networking Social
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join us for a networking social sponsored by D!NG to continue the conversation, build connections, and engage with government stakeholders, industry leaders, innovators, and fellow attendees.
SAM.gov & USASpending.gov Workshops
-
Damon Oaks
SAM.GOV WORKSHOP
Small Business Data and Market Analyst with the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Small Business Office -
Billy Grill
USASPENDING.GOV WORKSHOP
Associate Director of Southwest Ohio Region, Ohio APEX Accelerator at Ohio University
Autonomous Systems & Airspace Technologies Panel
-
Liz Caruso
MODERATOR
Consultant, Parallax Advanced Research -
Scott Aughenbaugh
PANELIST
Director, Department of the Air Force (DAF) Technology Transfer & Transition (T3) -
Sean Frisbee
PANELIST
President & Founder, Vertx Partners
-
Jeff Graley
PANELIST
CEO, Mile Two & Azimuth Inc.
-
Tim Fuhrman
Senior Director, Strategic Systems, Shield AI
Frequently Asked Questions
-
No. The WIN Summit Series is completely free to all registered attendees.
-
Small businesses are encouraged to bring a capability statement, business cards, and similar materials to facilitate discussions and follow-up with government attendees.
-
A check-in table will be located on the first floor of the AFWERX Hub Building.
-
A virtual option will be available for both the SAM.gov & USASpending.gov workshops and the panel & Q+A.
-
Yes. The 1 on 1 speed networking & the D!NG sponsored networking social provides you with an opportunity to have direct engagement with relevant stakeholders.
-
For any questions, please contact Lia Frisbee, lia.frisbee@vertxpartners.org
Attend
Register
Save your spot and register to attend in-person or virtually.
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.
