Our Mission
xTech unifies and leads efforts across the Army’s innovation portfolio, rapidly investing in technologies to keep pace with innovation rather than the slower processes of government budgeting, contracting, and execution.
Who We Are
xTech is the Army’s premier prize competition platform for scouting, validating, and advancing dual-use innovation. Through open-topic and topic-specific challenges, the Army engages non-traditional innovators including startups, academic researchers, and commercial companies – offering cash prizes, direct Army exposure, and potential pathways to integrate into the defense ecosystem, including opportunities for follow-on contracts. xTech creates a low-barrier, high-visibility environment where emerging technology meets military need.
xTech by the Numbers
The Army xTech Program delivers measurable outcomes that strengthen the Army’s innovation ecosystem, expand engagement with non-traditional vendors, and accelerate technology transition into defense use.
xTech Competition Formats
Open-Topic Market Research
Broadly scoped challenges that invite a wide range of dual-use technologies with potential relevance to Army modernization.
Topic-Specific Market Research
Focused competitions aligned to defined Army problem sets, targeting specific capability gaps or operational needs.
International Market Research
Global outreach efforts that engage foreign innovators and allies to identify promising technologies and foster collaboration.
Prototype Evaluation
Competitions that assess the maturity and performance of physical or digital prototypes to accelerate technology transition for the Army.
Soldier Experimentation
Hands-on testing of selected technologies in operational environments, gathering direct Soldier feedback.
Academic Outreach
Challenges designed to engage university researchers and students, introducing them to Army needs and inviting their participation in early-stage innovation.
How xTech Competitions Work
The Army xTech Program hosts prize competitions that seek innovative solutions from nontraditional entities – including startups, academic teams, and emerging commercial innovators – to propose bold solutions to real-world Army challenges. These competitions are designed to lower barriers to entry for innovators and accelerate the discovery of breakthrough technologies that can strengthen national defense.
Common Competition Elements May Include:
Why Participate?
Low Barrier to Entry
Participants respond to clearly defined Army needs through a simple concept submission process, designed to reduce friction and invite broad participation from non-traditional innovators.
Cash Prizes
Competitions award non-dilutive cash prizes at multiple phases, offsetting participation cost and incentivizing innovators to stay engaged and refine their technologies for Army needs.
DOW Stakeholder Access
Teams gain exposure to Army and DOW customers, including decision-makers, end-users, and technical experts across acquisition, research, and requirements communities.
Expert Feedback
Participants receive actionable insights from Army and DOW experts, helping refine solutions based on operational needs and mission relevance.
Accelerator Opportunities
Finalists may be invited to join the xTech Accelerator, a curated support program offering mentorship, networking, and commercialization guidance from DOW and business leaders.
Potential Follow-On Funding
Winners may be considered for follow-on funding or acquisition opportunities, depending on alignment with Army priorities and stakeholder interest.
What We Do: Discovering Disruptive
Technologies and Next-Gen Talent
Challenge-Based Army Technology Discovery
We run competitions that invite non-traditional innovators to directly address Army capability gaps. These challenges are designed to surface solutions that the Army might not otherwise find – quickly, competitively, and with potential opportunities to engage further within the defense ecosystem.
Non-Dilutive Prize Funding for Early-Stage Innovation
Participants compete for cash prizes ranging from $5K to over $500K, depending on the competition. Our prize model supports continued research and development without taking equity or IP, allowing companies to retain control while advancing their solutions.
Direct Access to Army End-Users and Decision Makers
We connect innovators with Army stakeholders throughout the competition, offering comprehensive feedback on technology viability and potential Army applications. This access helps shape prototypes that are relevant, adaptable, and more likely to be adopted.
Accelerator
Support
Finalists may be invited to participate in targeted accelerator programs that focus on education, mentorship, commercialization strategies, and business readiness. These efforts help innovators strengthen their technical and operational foundations for future growth.
Follow-On Funding Opportunities
Competition winners may be considered for follow-on funding, accelerating the transition from concept to capability by integrating technologies discovered during competitions into acquisition pipelines.
On-Ramps to Army Innovation Ecosystem
xTech is aligned with the broader Army FUZE innovation ecosystem. Many winners move on to secure follow-on contracts such as SBIR|STTR Phase I or Direct to Phase II awards. Our competitions are built with transition in mind from day one – connecting promising technologies to pathways that support continued development and potential integration into Army capabilities.
Spotlight: xTech Accelerator
The Army xTech Accelerator Program is a fast-track initiative that combines tailored programming with direct access to Army stakeholders, empowering participants to refine their technologies, navigate the defense ecosystem, and accelerate their path to impact.
Participants are competitively selected from xTech competitions and challenges. Companies are chosen for their innovation, potential to scale, and ability to address critical Army priorities. Selection also emphasizes dual-use potential, ensuring solutions can succeed in both defense and commercial markets.
- Cohort-based programming bringing together a select group of small businesses to learn, collaborate, and grow together
- Mentorship and advising from Army experts, industry leaders, and investors
- Exposure and visibility through showcase events, pitch sessions, and Army stakeholder engagements
- Connections to networks of Army PEOs, PMs, acquisition leaders and venture partners
- Lasting community access through the accelerator alumni network and broader FUZE ecosystem
A Connected Force Within the Army Innovation Ecosystem
Through competitive, challenge-based entry, xTech provides non-dilutive funding and deeper stakeholder engagement – connecting promising non-traditional innovators to the broader Army FUZE innovation enterprise and helping surface solutions that might not otherwise be found.
Serves as a potential follow-on opportunity for xTech winners (often directly aligned with SBIR topics), helping small businesses refine their solutions and proposals with Army feedback in hand.
Supports later-stage tech refinement after xTech, helping validate performance and prepare for acquisition and fielding.
Helps scale mature capabilities for production while addressing manufacturing risk, cost reduction, and supply chain integration – enabling field deployment at scale.
Engage With xTech
We welcome innovators, partners, and stakeholders to engage with the Army xTech Program, whether you’re interested in participating in a competition, learning about transition pathways, or spotlighting Army innovation at your next event. Explore active competitions, join an upcoming event, or apply to be a part of the Army’s next innovation cohort.
