SEISMIC Overview
Maintaining America's technological edge in defense requires us to innovate faster than ever before. In today's landscape, startups are proving they can accelerate development at speeds and price points that traditional defense contractors cannot match alone. But maintaining technological superiority is not a zero-sum game—it requires the entire aerospace and defense ecosystem working in concert, and full utilization of the United States' intellectual and entrepreneurial resources.
A critical part of this untapped startup potential lies within our Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). While HBCUs and MSIs produce nearly a third of African American STEM graduates, they receive only 1.6% of federally obligated R&D funding—representing countless missed opportunities for innovative defense startups. In a world where strategic advantages are measured in technological leaps, this is not a disconnect we can afford.
SEISMIC bridges this gap by connecting agile startup innovation with established industry expertise, while bringing fresh perspectives from underrepresented communities to national security challenges. By creating these connections, we're building a more dynamic and resilient defense industrial base.
This isn't just about expanding participation—it's about maximizing America's full innovative potential to maintain technological superiority. Every breakthrough that pushes the state of the art in any domain, land, sea, air, space, and cyber not only strengthens our collective security, but contributes to a more prosperous and equitable economy.
Call for Applicants
For the inaugural year of SEISMIC, the program is seeking to identify founders, innovators, and entrepreneurs working on technologies deemed critical to the United States' defense priorities across a diverse set of verticals. The primary focus areas listed below are explicitly stated needs from DIU, NRO CSPO, DEVCOM ARL, and SpaceWERX. Ideal applicants are working on technologies related to one or more of the following topics:
Cybersecurity & Secure Telecommunications (Cyber)
Cybersecurity and Secure Telecommunications encompasses both defensive and resilient approaches to protecting digital infrastructure, communications systems, and sensitive data from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Of interest are technologies that can secure networks against advanced persistent threats, quantum computing breaking existing secure communication standards, and insider risks, while simultaneously ensuring reliable, high-speed communication across diverse platforms and networks.
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Example technologies include: Zero-trust Architecture, Quantum Key Distribution Systems, AI-enabled Threat Detection, and Secure Mesh Networking for IoT
Electricity Generation from Embedded or Coating Materials
Electricity Generation from Embedded or Coating Materials explores novel approaches to energy harvesting and generation with particular emphasis on self-powered systems and smart coatings that can generate electricity from ambient sources. These technologies aim to reduce or eliminate the need for traditional batteries by harvesting energy from mechanical movement, temperature differentials, or other environmental sources. A primary need is for materials and systems that can reliably produce power at very small scales, potentially enabling self-powered sensors, wearables, and embedded systems.
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Examples technologies include: Triboelectric, Thermoelectric, and/or Piezoelectric coatings
Geospatial Intelligence Platforms & Analytics (GEOINT)
Geospatial Intelligence Platforms & Analytics focuses on the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of location-based intelligence data to support strategic and tactical decision-making. Modern GEOINT platforms must handle massive quantities of data from multiple sources including satellites, aerial systems, ground sensors, and human intelligence. These platforms need to process and analyze data in near-real-time, identify patterns and anomalies, and present actionable intelligence to decision-makers. The field increasingly relies on advanced computing capabilities to process multi-source data and generate insights that would be impossible to derive through human analysis alone.
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Example technologies include: Computer Vision systems for Earth Observation Data, Data Pre-Processing, and Insight/Analytics Generation
Human-Machine Integration & Teaming (HMI or HMT)
Human-Machine Integration & Teaming area explores the complex interactions between human operators and autonomous systems, seeking to optimize the strengths of both. The goal is to create seamless partnerships where machines augment human capabilities while humans provide strategic oversight and complex decision-making. This includes developing intuitive interfaces, ensuring effective communication and trust between humans and machines, and creating systems that can adapt to different user preferences and cognitive loads. The field also addresses challenges in shared situational awareness, task allocation, and maintaining human engagement in increasingly automated systems.
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Example technologies include: Gesture Recognition Interfaces, AR/VR Headsets & Related Equipment, Voice Command Systems, Collaborative Robotics Platforms, and Wearable Heads-Up Displays (HUDs)
Mission Autonomy
Mission Autonomy encompasses technologies that enable both human-guided and fully autonomous decision-making in complex operational environments. It includes systems that support human decision-makers with enhanced situational awareness and decision recommendations, as well as systems capable of independent decision execution within defined parameters set by human operators. The domain must address challenges in uncertain and dynamic environments, handle multiple competing objectives, and maintain effectiveness when communications are degraded. Of interest are systems that produce explainable decisions, risk assessments, and can find an appropriate balance between human oversight and system autonomy.
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Example technologies include: Predictive Analytics Platforms, Situational Awareness-enhancing Systems, Mission Planning & Adaptation, Autonomous Control Systems, Decision Validation, Autonomous Resilience & Safety
Multi-Asset Data Coordination & Collection
Multi-Asset Data Coordination & Collection addresses the complex challenge of managing multiple large-scale distributed sensing and communications systems to increase overall efficiency in tasking, collection, and data dissemination for all down-stream stakeholders. This includes managing the timing and positioning of various surveillance assets (such as satellites and drones), ensuring efficient use of available resources, and maintaining data quality and consistency across different systems. Technologies must address challenges in bandwidth management, data standardization, and real-time integration while ensuring secure and reliable communication between assets.
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Example technologies include: Dynamic Tasking Systems, Data Orchestration, Multi-Modal Data Fusion, System Interoperability, Network Edge Processing & Routing
Power Generation & Storage for Autonomous Systems
Power Generation & Storage for Autonomous Systems focuses on developing comprehensive power solutions for autonomous platforms that must operate for extended periods without human intervention. This includes both the generation of power through various means and its efficient storage and use. The field must address challenges in energy generation, power management, and system reliability while considering size, weight, and cost constraints. More broadly, technologies of interest are solutions that can operate in extreme and resource-limited environments, maintain performance over extended periods of time, and utilize power more sustainably.
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Example technologies include: Batteries & Energy Storage, Battery Management Systems, Hybridized Powertrains & Propulsion, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Advanced Photovoltaic Systems, & Other technologies for improving energy or fuel efficiency
Remote Sensing Technologies
Remote Sensing encompasses the development and implementation of technologies that can detect, measure, and analyze phenomena without physical contact. Remote sensing spans multiple parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and includes both active and passive sensing methods. The technology must work across various operational environments and conditions. Remote sensing, by definition, applies to any domain (sea, air, land, space), but is generally used by satellites and drones/UAVs. Modern remote sensing systems increasingly focus on real-time processing capabilities, improved resolution and sensitivity, and the ability to penetrate traditional obstacles. The field also addresses challenges in sensor miniaturization, power efficiency, and the ability to operate in contested or denied environments.
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Example technologies include: Optical Sensors, Infrared Sensors, Multi-spectral & Hyperspectral Sensors, SAR, and LiDAR Systems
Resilient GPS/PNT
Resilient GPS/PNT focuses on ensuring reliable positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities in environments where traditional GPS signals are degraded, denied, or spoofed. The field encompasses both improvements to existing satellite-based navigation systems and the development of alternative PNT technologies that do not rely on satellite signals. This includes developing systems that can operate independently or as part of a complementary suite of navigation technologies. The emphasis is on maintaining accurate positioning and timing even under adverse conditions, which is critical for both military operations and civilian infrastructure.
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Example technologies include: Chip-scale Atomic Clocks, Cellular Positioning Systems, Multi-Constellation GPS Receivers, and Self-Determining Positioning & Navigation
Space Domain Awareness / Space Situational Awareness (SDA / SSA)
Space Domain Awareness or Space Situational Awareness (SDA or SSA) involves developing comprehensive understanding and real-time monitoring of all aspects of the space environment, predominately human-made objects, but also naturally occurring phenomena such as space weather and meteoroids. This encompasses tracking everything from active satellites to debris, understanding space weather effects, and predicting potential collisions or other hazards which has become more important as the number of both commercial and military space assets grows.
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Example technologies include: Space Traffic Management Systems, Spacecraft Collision Avoidance Systems, Space Debris Monitoring, Space Weather Monitoring, and both Satellite-based & Ground-based Space Domain Monitoring
Unmanned Aerial Systems & Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS & C-UAS)
UAS & C-UAS covers both the development of unmanned aerial systems (drones and UAVs), and the technologies needed to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized or hostile systems. On the UAS side, this includes advancing autonomous flight capabilities, improving endurance and payload capacity, and developing systems that can operate in contested environments. The C-UAS aspect focuses on creating comprehensive defense systems that can protect sensitive areas from unauthorized drone activity, including detection, identification, tracking, and neutralization capabilities.
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Examples of UAS technologies include: Modular UAS Frames/Structures, Onboard Sensor Systems, Flight Control Hardware & Software, Mission Management
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Examples of C-UAS technologies include: Fixed & Mobile UAS Detection Systems, Navigation & Guidance Countermeasures, Directed Energy Countermeasures, & Kinetic Countermeasures
Very Low Earth Orbit Operations (VLEO)
VLEO (Very Low Earth Orbit) Operations focuses on enabling sustained spacecraft operations in orbits below 400 kilometers, where the atmosphere and the proximity to Earth’s surface make spacecraft operations more challenging from the perspective of maintaining reliable connections with the spacecraft as well as maintaining the integrity of the spacecraft itself due to atmospheric drag, heat generated from atmospheric drag, and oxygen corrosion. Despite the challenges VLEO operations offer potential advantages in terms of improved sensor resolution, reduced latency, and lower power requirements for communications.
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Example technologies include: VLEO Asset Telemetry, Command, & Control Systems; Ground Stations for VELO Assets; Multi-Orbit Networking Systems; and Sensors & Hardware Optimized for VLEO