The Defense Technology Accelerator was initiated by the Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge, whose government team spent more than two years shaping the concept - working across stakeholders to identify gaps in how emerging technologies transition into the Department of Defense. What emerged was a clear need: not just access, but a structured pathway to prepare early-stage companies for the realities of defense.
To bring that vision to life, MATB partnered with 757 Collab, whose expertise in designing and operating programs for early-stage ventures complements MATB’s deep government integration. Together, they developed and delivered the DTA - combining intentional startup programming with direct access to defense stakeholders to accelerate meaningful outcomes.
Program Overview
The result of this multi-year effort, the Defense Technology Accelerator (DTA) is an 11-week hybrid program designed to help emerging technology companies transition into the Department of Defense ecosystem. Developed and delivered by 757 Collab and the Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge, DTA connects dual-use early-stage companies with DoD stakeholders, industry leaders, and venture capital to accelerate their path to acquisition and commercialization.
Informed by ongoing collaboration with Department of Defense stakeholders, the DTA prioritizes technologies that address critical capability gaps and accelerate operational readiness, including:
Unmanned Surface Vehicle Enablers
Multi-Domain Targeting
Electromagnetic Spectrum Monitoring
Decision Advantage
Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures
Autonomous Network Management
Focus Areas
Designed in response to the challenges early-stage companies face when entering the defense market, the DTA provides:
Direct Access to DoD Experts – Engage with government mentors and SMEs across the Department of Defense to better understand mission needs and acquisition pathways.
Tailored Programming – Navigate everything from customer discovery to acquisition strategy through programming built for early-stage ventures.
Strategic Connections – Build relationships with primes, investors, and defense stakeholders critical to scaling in the defense ecosystem.
Demo Week – Present your solutions to a curated audience of DoD leaders, primes, and venture capital.
How to Get Involved
The DTA is built to engage a broad ecosystem of partners advancing defense innovation. Opportunities to get involved include:
- Defense stakeholders
- Industry leaders and primes
- Local and national government audiences
- Community members curious about innovation in Hampton Roads
- Academia