DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
“ In the future , we won ’ t be talking about data because data will be part of who we are every day ”
EILEEN VIDRINE CHIEF DATA OFFICER , DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AFWERX : THE STRUCTURE
ADWerx is the US Department of the Air Force ’ s talent and technology incubator . Here ’ s how the innovative unit is structured
SPARK CELLS
Spark Cells are a grassroots innovation network that leverages the ingenuity of Air Force intrapreneurs at the base level and non-traditional partners to create unique opportunities for the military ’ s operational experts to collaborate with the top problem solvers in industry , academia , and the government .
CHALLENGES
AFWerx Challenge is the combination of the defence , academic , startup , private sector and small business worlds to collaborate through challenges and live events .
SPARK TANK
Spark Tank is an annual event where Airmen pitch innovative ideas to top Air Force leadership and a panel of industry experts . Hosted each year at the Air Force Association ’ s Warfare Symposium , thousands of attendees watch the innovation pitches to senior leaders .
AFVENTURES
AFVentures harnesses the Small Business Innovation Research ( SBIR ) program to enable the Air Force to develop and adopt commercially viable innovations as integrated program components or operationally effective commercial off-the-shelf solutions while providing a competitive edge to the U . S . entrepreneur and technology ecosystem .
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