Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars
The Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars is a Boston-based mentorship program that pairs the U.S. Air Force (via AFWERX) with early-stage dual-use startups, run annually since 2018 in partnership with private accelerator Techstars.
Each roughly 13-week cohort takes about 10 startups through a bootcamp-style program offering up to $120,000 in funding (a $100,000 convertible note plus $20,000 in expenses) in exchange for 6-10% equity, with mentorship aimed at helping founders navigate DoD procurement and win non-dilutive SBIR contracts. Originally sponsored by AFWERX and the Air Education and Training Command, with BAE Systems FAST Labs joining as corporate sponsor from the second cohort, the program's alumni have collectively won over $20M in DoD SBIR contracts.
Program detail
- Agency
- US Air Force / AFWERX
- Acronym
- AFWERX Techstars
- Budget
- Phase
- Ongoing — recurring annual cohorts since 2018
- Domain
- Startup accelerator / dual-use technology mentorship
Participants1
Contracts0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What is Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars?
- Each roughly 13-week cohort takes about 10 startups through a bootcamp-style program offering up to $120,000 in funding (a $100,000 convertible note plus $20,000 in expenses) in exchange for 6-10% equity, with mentorship aimed at helping founders navigate DoD procurement and win non-dilutive SBIR contracts. Originally sponsored by AFWERX and the Air Education and Training Command, with BAE Systems FAST Labs joining as corporate sponsor from the second cohort, the program's alumni have collectively won over $20M in DoD SBIR contracts.
- Which agency runs Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars?
- Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars is run by US Air Force / AFWERX and is also known as AFWERX Techstars.
Sources & citations3
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- 1
The Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars is a ~13-week Boston-based bootcamp offering up to $120,000 (a $100,000 convertible note plus $20,000 expenses) for 6-10% equity, sponsored by AFWERX, the Air Education and Training Command, and — from the second cohort — BAE Systems FAST Labs.
FedScoop: Air Force expands technology accelerator partnership with TechstarsVerified2018-10-12 - 2
Vermeer was named one of ten startups selected for the 2020 class of the Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Ten Startups Chosen for 2020 USAF Tech AcceleratorVerified2020-01-24 - 3
Vermeer's own announcement, by CEO Brian Streem, of its selection for the 2020 class of the Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars
Vermeer: Air Force Accelerator Powered by Techstars Announces Class of 2020Verified2020-01-22