In March 2025, the APEX PIA team convened its annual T3 Navigator Summit at the University of Dayton Research Institute, bringing together key innovation stakeholders from across the Department of the Air and Space Force (DAF), small businesses with active Phase II SBIR/STTR contracts, and defense prime contractors. The two-day event served as an innovation collider focused on accelerating the transition of DAF-funded technologies to operational use.
With over 80 in-person participants, this year’s Summit provided an unmatched opportunity for businesses and government representatives to connect, collaborate, and craft transition pathways that align with real-world mission needs.
The Summit Experience
Attendees participated in pitch sessions, breakout discussions, and curated one-on-one meetings with DAF innovation leads and other government partners. The goal: to identify transition barriers, explore available resources, and align promising technologies with warfighter priorities.
This year’s Summit built on the success of previous T3 events, advancing APEX’s goal of guiding small businesses through the complexities of the DAF tech transition pipeline. The event also showcased how regional innovation infrastructure—like the OnRamp Hub: Ohio—can support national security missions through targeted engagement and facilitation.
Supporting the 2030 Strategy
Aligned with the Department of the Air Force’s 2030 Science and Technology Strategy, the T3 Navigator Summit underscored APEX’s role in accelerating the development and deployment of dual-use technologies. The event emphasized rapid, scalable innovation, and continued to champion cross-sector collaboration—a key pillar of the DAF's modernization goals.
Proven Results
As of March 2025, APEX has supported 20 phase III contract transitions for small businesses. Transition wins from companies like NextGen and Quantum Research have demonstrated the real-world impact of APEX’s Process Navigation services. These stories, along with others, are available to read on ours Success Stories page.
Looking Ahead
With interest from new DAF partners and continued momentum from industry, the T3 Navigator Summit is becoming a cornerstone of the innovation transition ecosystem. APEX looks forward to growing this initiative in 2026 and continuing to support the advancement of disruptive technologies for the warfighter.
Want to Learn More?
If your organization is working through the DAF SBIR/STTR process and needs guidance on transition, APEX Process Navigation services are designed to help. Our team offers no-cost, one-on-one support to help align your capabilities with DAF needs and stakeholders.