By Daniel Smoot, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army Applied SBIR Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army xTech Program announced 15 winners from xTechPrime, the Army’s first prize competition focused on partnering small businesses with technology integrators to address Army modernization challenges.

Announced by Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo at the 2022 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, the Army’s xTechPrime competition is one of five initiatives – along with the Army CATALYST Program, Army Tech Marketplace, IP Cadre and Project VISTA – incentivizing collaboration with industry to drive innovation and transform concepts into equipment in the hands of Soldiers.

As part of Hon. Camarillo’s initiatives, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology launched xTechPrime in April 2023 to empower small businesses and technology integrators to partner as teams to accelerate the transition of novel and often overlooked ideas. The competition sought to leverage the speed and creativity of nontraditional firms and couple them with the resources and expertise of large integrators to drive technological growth across industry and the Army.

“The xTechPrime competition proved to be a tremendous success, fostering collaboration between small businesses, technology integrators and the U.S. Army,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program, within the office of the ASA for AL&T. “We’re excited to see the developments that will emerge from the winners as they leverage their cash prizes, and the Army SBIR follow-on contracts and partnerships with technology integrators to advance cutting-edge technology solutions and strengthen the bond between industry and the national defense.”

Following xTechPrime’s launch, the Army received 345 concept white papers highlighting technologies capable of supporting Soldiers via solutions in artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomy, climate and clean tech, contested logistics and sustainment, immersive and wearables, and sensors.

An evaluator panel of Army subject matter experts narrowed these submissions down. Forty-six semifinalists then formed teams with technology integrators via the optional xTech Collider Event or other agreements. These teams conducted a virtual pitch of their technology concepts, which led to another down-select to 24 finalists. From Dec. 11-14, the competition hosted a final technology pitch event, where evaluators selected 15 winners.

Each of the 15 winners received $5,000, $15,000 and $20,000 over the course of three rounds, resulting in $40,000 total in cash prizes and an invitation to submit for a Direct to Phase II Army SBIR contract worth up to $1.9 million each. The Army will require any winner that seeks a Direct to Phase II contract to prove their technology’s feasibility during live, operational demonstrations.

xTechPrime Competition Winners

• Alitheon Inc.; Bellevue, Wash.
  • Technology ecosystem: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Technology integrator: GXM Consulting, LLC

• Amprius Technologies, Inc.; Fremont, Calif.
  • Technology ecosystem: Autonomy
  • Technology integrator: AeroVironment, Inc.

• ATOMICS, Inc.; Providence, R.I.
  • Technology ecosystem: Climate and Clean Tech
  • Technology integrator: Battelle

• AxNano LLC; Greensboro, N.C.
  • Technology ecosystem: Climate and Clean Tech
  • Technology integrator: NC Geosyntec

• DotBliss, LLC; Cary, N.C.
  • Technology ecosystem: Immersive (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality)
  • Technology integrator: Paragon Robotics, LLC

• Enveil, Inc.; Fulton, Md.
  • Technology ecosystem: Project Linchpin
  • Technology integrator: RTX Corporation

• FluxWorks LLC; College Station, Texas
  • Technology ecosystem: Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport, Increment II
  • Technology integrator: BAE Systems

• GDI; Williamsville, N.Y.
  • Technology ecosystem: Climate and Clean Tech
  • Technology integrator: Navitas Systems

• Latent AI; Skillman, N.J.
  • Technology ecosystem: Project Linchpin
  • Technology integrator: Booz Allen Hamilton

•  Lunewave Inc.; Tucson, Ariz.
  • Technology ecosystem: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Technology integrator: EpiSci

• Mesodyne Inc.; Somerville, Mass.
  • Technology ecosystem: Autonomy
  • Technology integrator: RTX Corporation

• ModalAI, Inc.; San Diego, Calif.
  • Technology ecosystem: Sensors
  • Technology integrator: Booz Allen Hamilton

• Neurable, Inc.; Boston, Mass.
  • Technology ecosystem: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Technology integrator: Gentex Corp.

• Notch Inc.; Cambridge, Mass.
  • Technology ecosystem: Autonomy
  • Technology integrator: Anduril Industries

• TERADAR, Inc.; Cambridge, Mass.
  • Technology ecosystem: Sensors
  • Technology integrator: Lockheed Martin

Throughout the expected 18-month performance period, these xTechPrime winners and Direct to Phase II selectees will have access to Army subject matter experts who offer development and assessment-based feedback on solutions in practical settings.

Established in 2018, the Army xTech Program aims to integrate small and nontraditional firms into the Army’s science and technology ecosystems. The program provides participants with opportunities for direct exposure to laboratories, program executive offices and program managers across the Army.

Small and nontraditional businesses receive detailed feedback from Army and Department of Defense stakeholders while having access to training, mentorship and other support infrastructure. This feedback helps guide participants through the competition and determine where their technologies best align with Army needs.

The xTech Program holds several competitions per year. These include open-topic competitions such as xTechSearch and technology-specific competitions that target key Army challenges. For more xTech information, please visit the Army xTech website.

The Army SBIR Program releases contract opportunities on a rolling basis to respond to the Army’s current and anticipated warfighting technology needs. For eligibility information and a list of open solicitations, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology provides the American Soldier a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services. It also leverages its technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Soldier needs. To learn more, please visit the ASA(ALT) website.