Online Event
Inside AFWERX: How the Air Force Funds and Supports Startups
AFWERX's former Military Deputy Director on funding Air Force startups from SBIR to scale.
Date
Jul 14, 2026
Time
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Address
Online Event
For nearly a decade, AFWERX was the front door to the Air Force for thousands of startups and in 2026 that door is being reorganized. In this fireside chat, the former Military Deputy Director of AFWERX explains how the Air Force funds early-stage companies, what the move into AFRL's Technology Transition Office means for founders, and how to navigate the SBIR-to-scale journey without dying in the Valley of Death. We'll get specific on STRATFI/TACFI matching, the all-important end-user champion, the "color of money" that determines whether you actually get paid, and the realistic path from a Phase II prototype to a Program of Record.
What You'll Learn:
- How AFWERX is structured and what the 2026 move under the AFRL Technology Transition Office means for founders going forward
- The mechanics of Air Force SBIR/STTR, open topics vs. direct-to-Phase-II, and how to pick a lane
- How STRATFI and TACFI matching actually works, and why private capital is the unlock for scaling government dollars
Additional Resources:
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About Founder Institute:
The Founder Institute is the World's Largest AI-Native Company Builder, giving idea-stage, first-time founders, and employees making the leap to entrepreneurship the tools, global network, and proven methodology to build an AI-powered startup from zero to funding. Since 2009, our structured programs have helped over 9,000 founders across 100 countries raise more than $2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 6 continents, our mission is to empower talented and motivated people everywhere to build impactful, AI-powered companies.
The Founder Institute is the World's Largest AI-Native Company Builder, giving idea-stage, first-time founders, and employees making the leap to entrepreneurship the tools, global network, and proven methodology to build an AI-powered startup from zero to funding. Since 2009, our structured programs have helped over 9,000 founders across 100 countries raise more than $2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 6 continents, our mission is to empower talented and motivated people everywhere to build impactful, AI-powered companies.
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The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our AI-native company-building programs have helped over 9,000 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
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