Investing in the Community’s Success

WBI invests in strong partnerships, education, and resources in order to bring the best ideas and solutions to bear for the Department of the Air Force.

Small Business and Start-Up Resources

As an organization that is focused on collaboration, WBI takes pride in partnering with the small business community in order to further research and warfighter solutions. By aiding small business leaders with organizational challenges, strategic/investment planning, and technology transition, WBI serves as a trusted and unbiased partner to help both sides of the fence make smarter decisions and drive innovative outcomes.

AFRL Small Business Hub

  • As the collaborative effort between the AFRL Small Business Office and Wright Brothers Institute, the AFRL SB Hub provides the tools, strategies, and insights small business leaders need to navigate technology transition/commercialization and work with the U.S. Department of Defense.

  • Attend the Small Business Hub’s expert-led Collider events, access their small business resources, and tap into their robust ecosystem of AFRL organizations and partners.

USAF / USSF Tech Connect

  • The Entrepreneurs’ Center is a modern economic development organization that fosters and empowers the development and growth of entrepreneurial businesses right here in the Dayton Region.

  • As an entrepreneur, finding the right resources and connections for your business is key when you’re managing multiple priorities. Get started here!

By working with academic institutions and research leaders across the country, WBI provides unparalleled resources and access to subject-matter experts to advance initiatives, provide workforce development for students, and drive technology forward.

The Entrepreneurs’ Center

  • Learn more about science and technology challenges, grants, and other opportunities through USAF/USSF Tech Connect.

  • Innovators can gain access to subject-matter-experts, networking opportunities, R&D collaboration, proposal consulting, and more within the US Air Force and Space Force.

Academic Partnership Resources

AFRL Regional Network

  • This pilot initiative assembles a new science and technology ecosystem with universities, large and small businesses, other government agencies, and venture capitalists in which partners help the lab research high-risk case studies.

1819 Innovation Hub

  • College@Elm provides spaces for the most innovative and creative companies to locate in a vibrant rural community fueled by the engine of Miami University as an incubator of ideas, novel thinking, and state-of-the-art facilities.

STEM Outreach, Programs, and More

Our team is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators through impactful STEM and student outreach initiatives. Programs like the Summer/Semester of Innovation and the SDR University Challenge provide students with hands-on opportunities to tackle real-world challenges, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills. By connecting students with industry experts, cutting-edge resources, and collaborative environments, WBI empowers young minds to explore their potential and contribute to advancements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The College@Elm Innovation and Workforce Development Center

  • The 1819 Innovation Hub is the University of Cincinnati’s front door for industry, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs.

WBI Ecosystem

Become a part of the ever-growing Wright Brothers Institute Ecosystem and get connected to institute partners, DoD entities, businesses big and small, universities, and beyond!

“WBI’s assistance in connecting to individuals, internal and external, to the USAF, collaboration with partners to increase ROI, and excellent research and project management professionals have been instrumental in breaking down obstacles for initiatives.”

-Chief Engineer (AFRL/RY)