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MARCH 10-12, 2026 | RALEIGH, NC |
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MARCH 10-12, 2026 | RALEIGH, NC |
Tuesday, March 10 - Thursday, March 12
Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC
| Monday, March 9 | 12:00pm - 6:00pm |
| Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00am - 6:00pm |
| Wednesday, March 11 | 7:00am - 6:00pm |
| Thursday, March 12 | 7:30am - 11:00am |
Back to Top ↑Sessions | ||
Tuesday March 10 | ||
| 8:15 | TechConnect World Innovation Conference - Plenary Keynotes | |
| 10:00 | Coffee Breaks 10:00AM-11:00AM | |
| 10:30 | Bio in Space Symposium- Funding Opportunities for R&D in Microgravity: Discussing Public and Private Funding Mechanisms for Commercial Space Ventures | |
| 10:30 | Supporting the Translation of Research-based Technologies to Products | |
| 12:15 | Lunch Break | |
| 1:00 | TechConnect World Expo and SBIR/STTR Pavilion Open | |
| 1:15 | SBIR Session: Finding Help - Getting Started | |
| 2:15 | SBIR Session: Small Business Success Stories | |
| 3:15 | SBIR Session: Investment for Deep Tech Development | |
| 3:30 | Mission-Makers: How Small Business Innovation Fuels the DoW | |
| 4:00 | TechConnect World Expo, Technical Poster Session I, and Expo Social (4:00 - 6:00) | |
| 4:00 | SBIR/STTR Pavilion Reception | |
Wednesday March 11 | ||
| 8:30 | TechConnect World Innovation Conference - Business Keynotes | |
| 9:00 | Coffee Breaks 9:00AM-10:00AM | |
| 9:30 | SBIR Session: SBA Listening Session on SBIR/STTR Reauthorization | |
| 10:30 | SBIR Session: Commercializing Your SBIR-funded Technology: Federal Programs | |
| 11:30 | SBIR Session: The Future of DOE SBIR Program | |
| 11:30 | Acquisition at the Speed of Innovation: How Solutions Marketplaces Provide Approachable Access to Acquisition | |
| 12:15 | Lunch Break | |
| 1:00 | TechConnect World Expo and SBIR/STTR Pavilion Open | |
| 1:15 | SBIR Session: Luck Favors the Prepared: Planning for Opportunities Ahead | |
| 1:30 | U.S. National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing Town Hall | |
| 2:15 | SBIR Session: Navigating SBIR Government Phase IIIs | |
| 3:15 | SBIR Session: Working with Defense Primes | |
| 4:00 | TechConnect World Expo, Technical Poster Session II, and Expo Social (4:00 - 6:00) | |
| 4:00 | SBIR/STTR Pavilion Reception | |
Thursday March 12 | ||
| 8:30 | SBIR/STTR Innovator Training Workshop 8:30am-4:30pm (Additional Registration Required) | |
| 12:00 | Lunch Break | |
| 1:15 | Critical Materials - Workshop (open to all conference attendees) | |
2026 Detailed Program | ||
Tuesday March 10 | ||
| 8:15 | TechConnect World Innovation Conference - Plenary Keynotes | RCC Ballroom B |
| Session chair: Jennifer Rocha, Dalia Yablon, Matthew Laudon, TechConnect Division, ATI, US | ||
| Lightweighting with single crystal graphene, and new routes to growing diamonds R. Ruoff, Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology, KR | ||
| Quantum Computing 101: Foundations, Frontiers, and Future Impact W. Oliver, MIT, US | ||
| Architecting the Future with Silicon Carbide: A Platform for Power, Intelligence, and Immersion E. Balkas, Wolfspeed, US | ||
| SBIR/STTR Keynote W. Briggs, U.S. Small Business Administration, US | ||
| 10:00 | Coffee Breaks 10:00AM-11:00AM | Pre-Function Areas |
| 10:30 | Bio in Space Symposium- Funding Opportunities for R&D in Microgravity: Discussing Public and Private Funding Mechanisms for Commercial Space Ventures | RCC 303 |
| Session chair: Jonathan Jakischa, TechConnect Division, ATI | ||
| Panelist M.A. Snow, Eascra Bio Tech, US | ||
| Panelist N. Wagner, Lambda Vision Inc., US | ||
| Panelist R. Roettgen, E2MC Ventures, US | ||
| Panelist C. Puhl, Exobiosphere, US | ||
| Panelist T. Morris, Kall Morris Inc., US | ||
| Panelist E. Chancellor, Texas Space Commission, US | ||
| 10:30 | Supporting the Translation of Research-based Technologies to Products | Marriott State A |
| Session chair: Christine Galib, Princeton University & Alex Norman, Princeton University | ||
| It Takes a Village: Innovation Ecosystem Building Panel E. Dinu (Moderator), J.E. Odegard, J. Jones, B. Solomon, P. Datta, Numinous Capital, 62x Ventures, North Carolina State University, FedTech, Evonik, US | ||
| Research Triangle Innovation Sphere J. Jur, NC Dept of Commerce, US | ||
| I-Corps as the First Stop: A Proven University Innovation Model A.T. Trotsenko, J. Blaho, CUNY Incubator Network, US | ||
| 12:15 | Lunch Break | On own |
| 1:00 | TechConnect World Expo and SBIR/STTR Pavilion Open | Expo Hall AB |
| 1:15 | SBIR Session: Finding Help - Getting Started | RCC 306A |
| Panel will highlight the various types of support available for innovators who are focused on commercializing their technology, support like assistance in applying for federal programs, competing for contracts, and market research and customer discovery. | ||
| Moderator R. O'Reilly Jones, SBA, US | ||
| Panelist H. Port, SBA, US | ||
| Panelist E. Gahl, Shadow Ridge (RIC), US | ||
| Panelist K. Covey, First Flight Ventures (NC FAST), US | ||
| Panelist C. Gutierrez, USPTO, US | ||
| 2:15 | SBIR Session: Small Business Success Stories | RCC 306A |
| Panel will highlight small businesses that have used federal funds and other resources to further develop their technology and grow their business. | ||
| Moderator J. Shieh, US Small Business Administration, US | ||
| Panelist S. Scarneo, Eydis Bio Inc, US | ||
| Panelist B. Reynolds, Onda Vision Technologies, US | ||
| 3:15 | SBIR Session: Investment for Deep Tech Development | RCC 306A |
| Panel will highlight how small businesses can be investor ready and the role different types of capital play in business growth and technology development. | ||
| Moderator J. Howell, SBA, US | ||
| Panelist C. Lyerly Connell, Bull City Venture Partners, US | ||
| Panelist G. Brown, Institute for Private Capital, US | ||
| Panelist E. Boduch, 24 and Up, US | ||
| 3:30 | Mission-Makers: How Small Business Innovation Fuels the DoW | RCC 305B |
| Moderator J. Rocha, TechConnect Division, ATI, US | ||
| Panelist J. Thabet, DARPA, US | ||
| Panelist B. Shipley, Navy, US | ||
| Panelist H. Binde, BioSqueeze, US | ||
| 4:00 | TechConnect World Expo, Technical Poster Session I, and Expo Social (4:00 - 6:00) | Expo Hall AB |
| 4:00 | SBIR/STTR Pavilion Reception | Expo Hall AB |
| AFWERX, US | ||
| Army, US | ||
| DARPA, US | ||
| DMEA, US | ||
| MDA, US | ||
| NASA, US | ||
| Navy, US | ||
| NOAA, US | ||
| SpaceWERX, US | ||
| SBA, US | ||
| USPTO, US | ||
| Defense Counterintelligence and Security (DCSA), US | ||
| EPA, US | ||
| NSF, US | ||
Wednesday March 11 | ||
| 8:30 | TechConnect World Innovation Conference - Business Keynotes | RCC Ballroom B |
| Session chair: Jennifer Rocha, TechConnect Division, ATI, US | ||
| Reinventing Workplace Safety Through Technology P. DeBaylo, National Safety Council (NSC), US | ||
| DOE OTC Fireside Chat A. Pugliese, U.S. Department of Energy, US | ||
| SBIR: Policy, Performance, and the Path Ahead J. Williams, SBIRC, US | ||
| 9:00 | Coffee Breaks 9:00AM-10:00AM | Pre-Function Areas |
| 9:30 | SBIR Session: SBA Listening Session on SBIR/STTR Reauthorization | RCC 306A |
| G. Lind, SBA, US | ||
| J. Shieh, SBA, US | ||
| 10:30 | SBIR Session: Commercializing Your SBIR-funded Technology: Federal Programs | RCC 306A |
| Panel will discuss programs that can support a small business's transition to development and production and what to do to better position yourself for assistance. | ||
| Moderator G. Lind, SBA, US | ||
| Panelist V. Pande, SpaceWERX, US | ||
| Panelist L. Torres, NASA, US | ||
| Panelist L. Crumpton-Young, NSF, US | ||
| Panelist S. Soucek, NIH NIEHS, US | ||
| 11:30 | SBIR Session: The Future of DOE SBIR Program | RCC 306A |
| Panel will bring together DOE leadership and key commercialization partners to discuss how the Department of Energy’s SBIR program is evolving under the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) and what that means in practice for small businesses. | ||
| Moderator J. Shieh, SBA, US | ||
| Panelist F. Salomone, DOE, US | ||
| Panelist A. Pugliese, DOE, US | ||
| Panelist M. Yamada, DOE, US | ||
| 11:30 | Acquisition at the Speed of Innovation: How Solutions Marketplaces Provide Approachable Access to Acquisition | RCC 305A |
| Explore how solutions marketplaces like DARPA’s Expedited Research Innovation System (ERIS), CDAO’s Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, and more are dramatically improving acquisition speed over traditional methods and reducing barriers to entry by connecting mission needs with industry-driven solutions. This session explores how commercial-like approaches like a simple 5–7-minute video pitch provide approachable access to acquisition, allowing both government and industry to modernize the acquisition experience and deliver capabilities at the speed of innovation. | ||
| J. Thabet, DARPA, US | ||
| J. Preisser, Applied Research Institute, US | ||
| J. Resig, Applied Research Institute, US | ||
| 12:15 | Lunch Break | On own |
| 1:00 | TechConnect World Expo and SBIR/STTR Pavilion Open | Expo Hall AB |
| 1:15 | SBIR Session: Luck Favors the Prepared: Planning for Opportunities Ahead | RCC 306A |
| Panel will discuss how small businesses can position themselves and their technology to serve both government and commercial customers and how to navigate various agencies and large organizations. | ||
| Moderator A. Evans, SBA, US | ||
| Panelist R. Brooke, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), US | ||
| Panelist W. Larsen, Arizona Commerce Authority, US | ||
| Panelist J. Waller, Arrowhead Center, US | ||
| Panelist S. Whitson, Wichita State University, US | ||
| 1:30 | U.S. National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing Town Hall | RCC 304 |
| Session chair: Mike Molnar, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, NIST | ||
| This town hall event will gather information from conference participants for the 2026 – 2030 National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing, which guides Federal efforts to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing. The plan is revised every four years to provide new federal priorities in advanced manufacturing research and development, aiming to create jobs, boost economic growth across various sectors, and strengthen national security. This town hall session augments an online Request for Information (RFI), enabling participants to voice their views and catalyze deeper input into priority areas. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has posted the full set of questions in the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/20/2025-11379/notice-of-request-for-information-national-strategic-plan-for-advanced-manufacturing | ||
| 2:15 | SBIR Session: Navigating SBIR Government Phase IIIs | RCC 306A |
| Panel will discuss how Phase III enables SBIR/STTR-funded projects to access sole source contracting opportunities and the keys to a successful SBIR/STTR journey and Phase III success. | ||
| Panelist J. Calbert, Space and Missile Defense Command, US | ||
| Panelist N. Fox, Army, US | ||
| Panelist V. Pande, SpaceWERX, US | ||
| Panelist B. Shipley, Navy, US | ||
| 3:15 | SBIR Session: Working with Defense Primes | RCC 306A |
| Panel will include representatives from defense prime contractors and discuss how they work with small businesses. | ||
| Moderator J. Thabet, DARPA, US | ||
| Panelist H. Opoku, Boeing, US | ||
| Panelist C. Owens, Lockheed Martin, US | ||
| Panelist T. Clement, Raytheon, US | ||
| Panelist B. Haji-Saeed, BAE Systems, US | ||
| 4:00 | TechConnect World Expo, Technical Poster Session II, and Expo Social (4:00 - 6:00) | Expo Hall AB |
| 4:00 | SBIR/STTR Pavilion Reception | Expo Hall AB |
| AFWERX, US | ||
| Army, US | ||
| DARPA, US | ||
| DMEA, US | ||
| MDA, US | ||
| NASA, US | ||
| Navy, US | ||
| NOAA, US | ||
| SpaceWERX, US | ||
| SBA, US | ||
| USPTO, US | ||
| Defense Counterintelligence and Security (DCSA), US | ||
| EPA, US | ||
| NSF, US | ||
Thursday March 12 | ||
| 8:30 | SBIR/STTR Innovator Training Workshop 8:30am-4:30pm (Additional Registration Required) | RCC 306A |
| 12:00 | Lunch Break | On own |
| 1:15 | Critical Materials - Workshop (open to all conference attendees) | Marriott State D |
| Session chair: Santa Jansone Popova, Oak Ridge National Laboratory | ||
| Rare Earths and Permanent Magnets: TEA, Life Cycle, and Supply Chain B.J. Smith, Argonne National Laboratory, US | ||
| From Mine to Concentrate: Extraction, Processing, and Separation C. Anderson, Colorado School of Mines, US | ||
| Rare Earth Separation Technologies: History, Progress, and Current Practice S. Jansone Popova, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US | ||
| Turning Waste into Resource: Secondary and Unconventional Feedstocks A. Fritz, National Energy Technology Laboratory, US | ||
| Permanent Magnets: From Fundamentals to Recycling A. Palasyuk, Ames National Laboratory, US | ||
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