DefenseTech Accelerator

(Photo: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber)

Pitch Time: Companies in CRP DefenseTech Accelerator share products & technologies with investors

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 6, 2025) – We hosted our pitch finale for the first cohort of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator on March 6 and it was a phenomenal event. The four companies — SpaceFactory, 6th Dimension, BrakeSens, and Ethar pitched their products and technologies to a crowd of investors and local business leaders. They’ve each done a lot of work since December to get to this point and we’re so proud of them! Here are photos from the evening.

Our CRP DefenseTech Accelerator is in partnership with the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Cummings Research Park, and TrebleOne. Five local companies contributed tax credits to support this first cohort: Regions, Synovus, SimTech, Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis, and Signalink. Additional support is provided by Industrial Properties of the South. The Accelerator utilizes the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program, which is a statewide initiative where Alabama companies and individuals with significant tax liability can allocate 50% of their taxes to stay local. This includes the Alabama income tax, state insurance premium tax, state public utility license tax, and state portion of the financial institution excise tax.

We are actively seeking funding for our second cohort, which will begin later this year. If you are interested, please email Erin Koshut: ekoshut@hsvchamber.org.

Click through the photo gallery below to see photos from the event on March 6.

Participating Companies

BrakeSens

BrakeSens has developed and tested a sensor for direct measurement of brake wear on consumer and commercial vehicles. The sensor technology provides the most accurate and real-time direct measurement of brake wear and temperature at a similar cost point to current, limited information sensors. The BrakeSens technology will increase safe vehicle operations as well as provide enabling information to support efficient vehicle maintenance while addressing the needs of an over $5 billion growing, global market. https://www.brakesens.com/ 

Ethar

Ethar’s groundbreaking AR platform uniquely combines geospatial and semantic intelligence, delivering seamless data integration and personalized, context-aware experiences that revolutionize customer engagement and operational efficiency.  https://ethar.com/ 

6th Dimension

6th Dimension, Inc. develops the Ceres Platform for modeling and simulation applications supporting Open Systems Architectures. Ceres offers a high-fidelity simulation toolkit designed to address mission engineering needs by combining immersive visualization with robust data management and a scalable architecture. Built using advanced physics-based modeling and gaming technology, Ceres allows for real-time, accurate simulations of complex operational environments. It supports rapid data integration, terrain modeling, and flexible scenario configuration, enabling personnel to conduct mission simulations with reduced setup time and increased accuracy. https://6thdpro.com/ 

SpaceFactory

SpaceFactory engineers and builds advanced manufacturing equipment, specializing in ruggedized, deployable systems for expeditionary environments both lunar and terrestrial. With a proven track record of NASA partnerships, SpaceFactory’s technology is designed to enhance the warfighter’s capabilities with point-of-need solutions in the most demanding operational environments. SpaceFactory’s newest technology focuses on true front-line ruggedized additive manufacturing, readily integrated in preexisting military architecture, designed and built in Huntsville, Alabama. https://spacefactory.ai/ 

For more information, contact:

Erin Koshut
Cummings Research Park
ekoshut@hsvchamber.org

Kayla Brown
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
kbrown@hsvchamber.org

A 12-week accelerator program for early-stage technology companies with innovative products that can be grown and scaled in the defense and commercial markets. Each program cycle consists of five companies who participate without paying any fees or relinquishing equity.

The Goal

For 75% of graduates to secure at least one prime contract with the U.S. federal government, secure at least one subcontract with a U.S. federal government prime contractor, partner with at least one prime contractor or OEM, or raise at least $100K in private capital funding within 12 months of their participation.

Program Offerings

The CRP DefenseTech Accelerator matches companies with defense tech advisors to assess the viability of scaling their products within the federal government, coaches to help build and refine a defense specific go-to-market strategy, business development experts and writing specialists to support proposals, and access to an expansive network of product users, customers, and investors.

1:1 Mentor Sessions

The Accelerator curates a tailored list of mentors from a diverse network of current and former executives of early and growth stage startups, OEM product leaders, former U.S. Department of Defense personnel, and seasoned T1 consultants.

Weekly Meetings

Cohorts will engage with a team of experienced T1 strategic advisors to develop a comprehensive defense-specific go-to- market strategy and a tactical business development plan of action for engaging defense customers.

Marketing Collateral

Cohorts will develop defense-specific marketing collateral, refine their messaging, branding, and marketing materials to effectively communicate their unique value propositions within the defense industry.

Customer & Investor Intros

Cohorts will present to the Accelerator’s extensive network of defense-focused venture capital firms, private investors, DoD Major Commands, Program Offices, Innovation Labs, OEMs, Prime Contractors, and more.

Lunch & Learns

Every week participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts on topics like DoD 101-301, deconstructing successful SBIR proposals, securing government funding, and more.

Fireside Chats

Cohorts will join fireside chats with elite defense tech experts to gain invaluable insights into emerging trends, funding opportunities, and success strategies, boosting their impact in the defense sector.

News Releases

CRP DefenseTech Accelerator announces inaugural cohort

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (December 5, 2024) – We are excited to announce the inaugural cohort of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator, an effort between the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Cummings Research Park, and Treble One.

Twenty companies applied to be in the first cohort. After an extensive selection process, five were chosen to participate. Four will be part of the pitch finale: Ethar, 6th Dimension, SpaceFactory, and BrakeSens. Treble One has hired Steve Odom, former President of GasTOPS USA, as the accelerator’s managing director. Read more

CRP partners with Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and Treble One on this initiative

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (August 12, 2024) – Today, Cummings Research Park (CRP) announced it is launching a DefenseTech Accelerator in the Park this fall. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and Treble One are CRP’s partners in this initiative. The Accelerator utilizes the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program, which is a statewide initiative where local companies and individuals with significant tax liability can allocate 50% of their taxes to stay local. State tax liabilities that can be used for this program are the Alabama income tax, State insurance premium tax, State public utility license tax and State portion of the financial institution excise tax (FIET). Read more