Event Overview
The Tinker and the Primes 2024 event took place from August 5th to August 8th at the Reed Conference Center in Midwest City, Oklahoma. This annual event attracted over 1,300 attendees and provided an essential platform for networking with government and industry leaders. The event also presented numerous opportunities to learn about the rapidly evolving challenges and innovations in capabilities across government and prime contractors.
Tinker and the Primes featured a series of briefings and panel discussions, ranging from the needs of prime contractors and Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB) to exploring how small businesses can secure government contracts. This year also marked the introduction of the first-ever "TAFB Small Business Presentations," which APEX played a role in organizing.
APEX's Role and Impact
Attending Tinker and the Primes offered a valuable platform to engage with key stakeholders across government, industry, and academia. The event provided APEX the opportunity to showcase our service solutions and foster collaborations, reinforcing our position as a leader in facilitating innovation and technology transition within the defense sector.
One of the highlights of APEX's participation was our support in organizing the inaugural "TAFB Small Business Presentations." This initiative was a collaborative effort between APEX, the AFSC Small Business (AFSC/SB) office, and Encountering Innovation. The goal of these presentations was to provide a space for small businesses with innovative technology to present their solutions to an audience of government and prime contractor representatives.
APEX-supported companies, including Enduralock, 3Degrees, and Quantum Research Sciences, were invited to pitch their cutting-edge technologies. After their presentations, the companies reported having productive conversations with government and prime contractor representatives as a result of their participation. This further demonstrates APEX's ability to connect small businesses with critical opportunities in the defense sector.
Key Takeaways from the Event
Small Business Support: APEX played an instrumental role in organizing the TAFB Small Business Presentations, providing APEX-supported companies the chance to pitch their technologies to decision-makers. This effort also fostered collaboration between APEX, Encountering Innovation, and the AFSC/SB office, strengthening ties and creating future opportunities for small businesses in the defense industry.
Industry Insights: Through presentations, panels, and networking, APEX gained valuable insights into the current and future challenges and needs faced by both government and prime contractors. These insights will be instrumental as APEX continues to support innovation and technology transition efforts.
Networking and Promotion: The event served as a critical venue for APEX to engage with government and industry leaders, showcase our services, and promote our ongoing impact within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Looking Ahead
As APEX continues to participate in events like Tinker and the Primes, our mission of accelerating the transition of defense technology from discovery to reality remains at the forefront. The opportunity to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders allows us to stay at the cutting edge of innovation, creating new pathways for collaboration and growth within the defense community.
About the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX)
APEX cultivates innovation by expanding the American research enterprise, accelerating the transition of defense technology from discovery to reality. We connect academic innovators with the Department of the Air Force and industry, eliminating barriers and accelerating the transition of science and technology solutions into transformational U.S. Air Force operational capabilities. APEX operates under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement with the Department of the Air Force and supports the United States Air Force Science & Technology 2030 Strategy.
For more information about APEX and how we can support your innovation journey, contact us at by filling out this form.