On August 19-21, Capital Factory will host the annual 2025 Fed Supernova event in Austin bringing together startups, government, industry, and academia to accelerate dual-use technology that powers national security. This three-day event accelerates defense innovation by creating a unique, once-a-year opportunity for the entire ecosystem to converge with a shared mission. The Defense Innovation Community, or DODx, will be there in full force.
In addition to our office hours on August 19 (registration is now closed), you can drop in for one of our insightful discussions on our mini-stages. View the full Fed Supernova 2025 schedule here. Event registration is required. (Paid registration not required for office hours).
DoDx Sessions:
The joint defense innovation community welcomes attendees to afternoon programming on the Wolverine stage, 8th Floor. Sessions will be held on August 20 and August 21 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT.
Topics will focus on our teams, programs, solicitations, and partners who are focused on accelerating innovation. Details on panel topics and speakers will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks. View the current Fed Supernova agenda here.
Wednesday, August 20
When: 9:30 - 10:00
Where: Paramount Stage
What: Keynote remarks from DIU Space Portfolio Directory Bucky Butow
When: 11:10 - 11:30
Where: Paramount Stage
What: Keynote remarks from DIU Director Doug Beck
When: 1:00 - 1:10 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: AFWERX Announcement
AFWERX and SpaceWERX will announce recent company selections for STRATFI and TACFI awards.
When: 1:15 - 1:55 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: DIU Case Studies & Spicy Takes
In this dynamic session, we'll unpack how DIU bridges the gap between startups and national security challenges through compelling case studies and real-world examples. Whether you're an entrepreneur eyeing the defense market, a tech leader curious about dual-use applications, or looking for insights into what FY26 defense priorities are, this session offers insights into what makes winners and losers in the defense innovation world. Come ready to engage! After an overview brief, we'll open the floor for an interactive Q&A where no question is off-limits. Bring your curiosity - we'll bring the spicy takes.
Speakers:
Jim Rabuck, Regional Director for the Southwest, Defense Innovation Unit
Luke Walters, Chief Strategy Officer, AFWERX
When: 2:05 - 2:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: AFWERX presents From Concept to Capability: How STRATFI & TACFI are Accelerating AFWERX & SpaceWERX Successes
AFWERX, SpaceWERX and awarded small businesses will take the stage to explain the pivotal role of the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) to drive innovation in the face of the Valley of Death. This session will highlight tangible successes and ongoing initiatives demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of these critical funding pathways to deliver new technologies to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.
Moderator: Melissa Garmoe, SpaceWERX
Speaker: Marty Roodettes , AFWERX
When: 3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: From Garage to Government: How Prize Authority can help Scale Your Startup with the DOD
Think government contracts are just red tape and endless paperwork? Think again. Discover how the DOD is using prize challenges to fast-track promising startups from concept to contract – and why this could be your company's secret weapon for scaling. Join our expert panel featuring leaders from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Army Applications Laboratory (AAL), and (who else) as they reveal the playbook for leveraging DOD prize challenges as your startup's growth accelerator.
Speakers:
Jesse Gipe, Director, early-stage portfolio, DIU
Justin Faneli, CTO, Navy
Zeke Topolosky, Manager, Department of the Army’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
When: 3:00 - 3:45
Where: Voltron
What: Forge Ahead
Additive, agile, and ready to scale — this session dives into how next-gen manufacturing is powering the modern defense arsenal. From startup-led innovation to new funding models and production at the edge, we’ll explore how government and industry are working together to build faster, smarter, and at mission speed.
Speakers:
Christopher Zember, ATI
Dr. Mark Benedict, AFRL Senior Scientist for Convergent Manufacturing.
Sam Moyer, Research Fellow at the National Defense Industrial Association's Emerging Technologies Institute
When: 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: Kessel Run Post-Mortem
Kessel Run: A DoD software revolution that soared then stumbled. This panel dissects its rapid growth from a rebel coding experiment in Qatar to a formal Air Force organization tasked with modernizing critical systems, exploring its successes, failures, and lessons for future defense software development.
Speakers:
Opening Remarks: Zach Walker, CEO, ATX Defense
Moderator: Donald Gansberger, Program Manager, Second Front Systems
Panelists:
Enrique Oti, CSO, Second Front Systems
Max Reele, USAF, Ret.
Col. Richard Lopez, Kessel Run Commander
Bryon Kroger, Founder & CEO, Rise8
When: 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
What: Pitch Sessions - From University Innovators to National Security Game-Changers
Where: Capital America
Description: Be the first to hear technology pitches from the nation’s brightest student innovators the moment they launch their companies. These venture-ready companies represent the top finalists from DIU’s prestigious 10 week innovation fellowship where student teams take their start up from idea to impact. Company technology areas include: digital twins, AI enabled biological threat detection, swarming kinetic payload alternatives, predictive supply chain tools, mesh networks, and responsive sustainment LLM models. Learn more here.
Thursday, August 21
When: 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: Keynote address
When: 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: Defense SBIR STTR 101 with Q&A
DOD and other agencies authorized by Congress to execute SBIR STTR programs will speak to their programs to advance defense and national security. Experts will explain service objectives (DOD calls them demand signals) and speak to program specifics like the annual cycle, solicitations, and evaluations. Learn and ask questions about SBIR vs. STTR; Phase 1, 2, 3, and STRATFI TACFI; Specific vs. Open topics, and more.
Moderator: Inessa Stepanenko, Deputy District Director, U.S. Small Business Association
Panelists:
Zeke Topolosky, Manager, Department of the Army’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Megan Stokes, Navy SBIR and STTR Programs Support (CTR)
Maj. Athina Teicher, AFWERX Ventures Branch Chief
Capt. Marc Green, AFWERX Ventures Space Portfolio Lead
When: 3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: Federal Front Doors: Helping Startups Get Started with DoD
Meet experts with federal "front doors" working everyday to help small businesses and startups partner with government. These federal entities and partners in and around the defense ecosystem will share insights about how to getting started and all the resources available to help you partner with the DoD.
Speakers:
Inessa Stepanenko, Deputy District Director, U.S. Small Business Association
Khalil Mack, Deputy Director, APEX Accelerator
Hope Shimabuku, United States Patent and Trademark Office
Brian McJilton, AFRL Small Business Office
Kathy Reid, AFWERX Spark Cells
Carolina Cruz-Neira, Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida
Ashley Farrier, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, USSOCOM
When: 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Where: Wolverine stage
What: Where's The Money
From a business perspective, this panel will explain DOD funding, budget cycles, and concepts like the "color of money" that differ from industry practices. The panel will venture into discussion about who is the customer, TRLs, and types and timing of contracts, such as SBIR STTR Awards; CSO; OTA; STRATFI TACFI; plus other early and late stage funding mechanisms.
Office Hours & One-on-One Connections
Please note, office hours registration is now closed.
In addition to compelling talks and discussions we’re hosting specialized Joint Office Hours to create meaningful one-on-one interactions with experts, mentors, and peers. This is an open call to meet 1:1 with DOD defense innovation units on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 1 p.m. -5 p.m. at Capital Factory on the 8th floor.
Participating organizations include: AFWERX, Air Force Research Laboratory, SpaceWERX, DIU OnRamp Hubs, AAL, NavalX, Marines, the Small Business Association, USPTO, USSOCOM and DARPA. Please use the information below for more information and to register.
Registration is now closed.