For Immediate Release: WBI’s T3 Accelerator Grads Secure 40 Percent of Phase II Funding

03.06.21 03:53 PM By Anne

Dayton, May 17, 2021: The latest T3 Transition Accelerator, a joint project of Wright Brothers Institute (WBI), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), The Entrepreneurs Center (TEC), andthe Department of the Air Force Small Business Innovation/Small Business Technology Transfer Program, a division of AFWERX, provided the essential information, education and experience that gave participating companies added confidence toward achieving their ultimate goal: securing Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR contract awards.


Of the $3 million in contract awards in this SIBR Phase II round, T3 Transition Accelerator graduates won 40 percent of this funding. This success rate proves the value of this unique Accelerator process, which included close collaboration to AFRL subject matter experts, an agile10-week timeframe, and multi-market education. A noteworthy aspect of this T3 Accelerator is its non-equity status, putting these companies at little to no risk.


One of the winning companies, Continuous Composites of Coeur d’Alene, ID, will be investing in the Dayton region by securing office space in Dayton; an economic benefit to the region arising as a direct result of the company’s T3 Accelerator participation that signals a long-term relationship with the Air Force.


The other winning companies are Steelhead Composites of Golden, CO; Mimyr of Torrance, CA; and Lux Semiconductors of Albany, NY. These contract awards mark the first time either Steelhead Composites or Continuous Composites have worked with the Air Force.


This Accelerator was focused on a challenge designed and presented by AFRL in a call for dual-industry technologies in advancing materials and manufacturing processes for attributable structures, engines, and sensors of autonomous unmanned aerial and space systems.


WBI partnered with F6S, an international network platform dedicated to matching companies with accelerators, to identify existing small businesses (500 employees or fewer) relevant to the challenge. Hundreds of companies were invited to apply for the Accelerator; 63 applied and 10 were selected. WBI identified and secured the participation of the subject matter experts, an essential component in helping the companies achieve success.


The Accelerator maintained its 10-week schedule, despite the global pandemic. A successful, virtual Demo Day Showcase was held 25 September 2020.


About Wright Brothers Institute

Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is a cutting-edge innovation and technology commercialization center for the Air Force Research Laboratory, with facilities located just outside of WPAFB in Dayton, OH.  We drive fast, agile innovation that enables successful technology development to solve the Air Force’s most complex challenges by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes, and extensive networks. We leverage subject matter experts and intellectual property from AFRL and SBIR companies to unlock the right problem, connect to new partners and synchronize transition pathways through our commercialization partners.

 

To receive updates about future events at all Wright Brothers Institute locations, visit www.wbi-innovates.com. Follow Wright Brothers Institute on Twitter @wbiinnovates, on Facebook @WBIInnovates and on LinkedIn at Wright Brothers Institute.

Anne