WASHINGTON, DC (October 18, 2019) -- The U.S. Army announced the winner of the second Expeditionary Technology Search (xTechSearch) competition on Oct. 16, 2019, during the 2019 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Meeting and Exposition in Washington, DC.
Lumineye, Inc., of Boise, Idaho took the top prize of $250,000 for their wall-penetrating radar that is designed to help Soldiers and first responders identify people and potential threats through walls.
"The xTechSearch competition helped us learn a lot along the way," said Corbin Hennen, chief executive officer and co-founder of Lumineye, with Megan Lacy, co-founder and chief design officer. "Getting the first bit of funding was important. The funding from phase three was the first significant funding we've received, and made a world of difference for us. It showed us true customer support and that the Army was really interested in us. It also allowed us to participate in the Y Combinator accelerator program."
The xTechSearch competition is an opportunity for the Army and the non-traditional small-business sector to engage with each other, to drive innovation for Army modernization challenges, spur economic growth, and uncover novel science and technology solutions.
"We need your insights, ideas, and creativity," said Maj. Gen. Patrick Burden, director of combat systems, U.S. Army Futures Command, during welcoming remarks for the Innovators Corner on Oct. 15, 2019. "Some of the systems and technologies that will enable our Soldiers to win on future battlefields will arise from the partnerships we establish here. We look to you to help us deliver the best technology in the world to our Army."
Small businesses enter the xTechSearch competition by submitting white papers, then progress through four phases of the competition, including live pitch days and attendance at large industry trade shows, where they are exposed to direct dialogue with Army subject matter experts, and government and industry stakeholders.
Within a year, the field is progressively narrowed down to 12 companies, who give their final pitch presentation to a panel of U.S. Army active duty and civilian judges during the annual AUSA Meeting and Exhibition in Washington, DC, which is held in mid-October.
Hon. Bruce Jette, Ph.D., assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology (ASA(ALT)), launched the nationwide competitions to revolutionize the way the Army attracts and encourages innovation. Dr. Jette announced the xTechSearch 2.0 winner and presented the grand prize check to Lumineye, Inc.
"We understand the need to invest in the future. Through the xTechSearch competitions, we have lowered barriers and expanded opportunities for non-traditional partners to do business with the Army."
Also at AUSA, Mr. Jeffrey Singleton, director of technology for the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for research and technology ((DASA R&T), announced the 12 finalists for xTechSearch 3.0.
The 12 xTechSearch 3.0 finalists selected to compete for the grand prize in the spring are, in alphabetical order: Anti-Rotational Technologies, Inc.; Cayuga Biotech, Inc.; ElectroNucleics, Inc.; GhostWave, Inc.; Knight Technical Solutions, LLC; LiquidPiston; Merciless Motors; SIGINT Systems, LLC; Syncopated Engineering; TexPower, Inc; TRX Systems; and XO-NANO Smartfoam.
The xTechSearch 3.0 competition will culminate with the final round of pitches during the 2020 AUSA Institute of Land Warfare Global Force Symposium & Exposition on March 17-20, 2020, in Huntsville, Ala.
For information about the xTechSearch competition or to apply for the xTechSearch 4.0 by the Nov. 11, 2019 deadline, please visit the xTechSearch website.
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About ASA(ALT)
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics & Technology (ASA(ALT)) provides the American Soldier with a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring, fielding, and sustaining the world's finest equipment and services; and by leveraging technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Army needs.
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