Cultivating innovation by expanding the American research enterprise for the Department of the Air Force
Our Value
The Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment cultivates innovation by expanding the American research enterprise in a way that moves defense technology from discovery to reality.
APEX connects academic innovators with the Department of the Air Force and industry and eliminates barriers in accelerating the transition of science and technology solutions into transformational U.S. Air Force operational capabilities.
APEX is a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between the Department of the Air Force and Wright State Applied Research Corporation and is supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory Small Business Office. The APEX mission supports the United States Air Force Science & Technology 2030 Strategy.
Our Core Functions
Identify collaborators, innovators and technology opportunities using robust data analytics and active connection programs.
Build & Connect a nationwide network of innovators and technologists from universities, small businesses and the government.
Develop & Deploy targeted education programs to train university and partnered small business innovators to effectively interface with the Department of Defense.
Drive innovation through the creation of high-performance teams, innovative concept engineering events and Blue Sky workshops.
Accelerate & Diversify the technology transition pipeline through DoD challenge problems and novel and targeted small business and technology transition opportunities.
Capabilities
Creativity & Innovation
Education & Training
National Outreach & Process Navigation
Technology Pull
Data Analytics
Upcoming Events
A one-of-a-kind program that will play a cutting-edge role in developing the technology and practices of tomorrow, and I am proud that the nexus of these activities will be right here in the Dayton area.
Mike Turner
U.S. Rep. (R-Dayton)
We have so much talent in our region, and it is exciting that Wright State Research Institute has been chosen as a partner for this new Air Force initiative. It is of little surprise Wright State was chosen for the prestigious role. Wright State University has a rich history of academic-Air Force collaboration.
Nan Whaley
Mayor of Dayton
Importantly, the APEX project focuses specifically on growing the Air Force's technological defense capabilities in partnership with academia. This is the first of its kind in the country that is working across the country to connect small businesses and academia.
Bill Harrison
Small Business Director, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
APEX develops and utilizes analytics to identify academic and business partners, and map technology areas of interest to the USAF. These efforts are key to connecting an underserved community of Universities and Small Business partners with Air Force resources.
Anissa Lumpkin
Lead Program Manager, U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
