DARPAConnect Midwest Pop-up

DARPAConnect Midwest Pop-up

DARPAConnect is designed to broaden DARPA’s reach, stimulating growth & collaboration with organizations new to the national security space.

By DARPAConnect (in partnership with ARI)

Date and time

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 · 8am - 6pm EDT

Location

Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

1210 Waterway Boulevard #Ste. 2000 Indianapolis, IN 46202

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

Agenda

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Registration and Breakfast

A time to get badged up, fueled up, and connected. Our schedule relies on beginning promptly at 0830, so please arrive as early as possible.

8:30 AM - 8:35 AM

Call to Order

Dave Angeletti, ARI

8:35 AM - 8:50 AM

Welcome to Indiana

Governor Eric Holcomb

Dave Roberts, ARI

Heartfelt welcome to Indiana and the Midwest!

8:50 AM - 9:15 AM

Welcome Remarks and Introduction to DARPAConnect

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

Dr. Benjamin Griffin, DARPA

Dr. Bill Kiser, ARI

Hear directly from DARPA what the DARPAConnect experience is all about! More than simply understanding what opportunities are available, participants will be introduced to the “how” part of the equat...

9:15 AM - 9:45 AM

Engaging DARPA Program Managers

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

Dr. Benjamin Griffin, DARPA

Dr. Andrew Detor, DARPA

Dr. Reginald Cooper, DARPA

Ever wonder who these DARPA program managers are and where they came from? What about how they prefer to interact with industry or academia? If so, this is definitely a can’t-miss session. We’ve asse...

9:45 AM - 10:20 AM

Heilmeier Catechism: Understanding Effective DARPA Communications

Dr. Kerri Dugan, DARPA

Dr. Ben Griffin, DARPA

Did you know that the Heilmeier Catechism questions serve as the foundation for many of DARPA’s conversations with potential performers? In this session, you’ll learn more about what PMs need to see ...

10:20 AM - 10:35 AM

DARPA Performer Stories

Dr. Andrew Detor, DARPA

Dr. Paul Braun, UIUC

Explore the path past performers have taken as they navigated working with DARPA. Compare and contrast different paths — whether through a large prime contractor, academia, or small business.

10:35 AM - 11:00 AM

Networking Break

Take this time to stretch your legs, engage with our panelists and each other, and to meet some new folks!

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Understanding DARPA Announcements and Contract Vehicles

Mark Jones, DARPA

Natalie Kent, DARPA

Dr. Bill Kiser, ARI

Ever wonder why a Defense Department organization chooses the types of contracting vehicles they do? This is 30 minutes of complex material made understandable to those who haven’t yet walked this pa...

12:10 PM - 12:25 PM

DARPA SBIR/STTR Program

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

This session will guide you through the DARPA SBIR/STTR program's purpose, structure, and key features, and explain how DARPA is committed to funding small businesses that push the envelope in terms ...

11:30 AM - 12:10 PM

Interpreting and Shredding DARPA Solicitations

Ben Griffin, DARPA

Kerri Dugan, DARPA

Bill Kiser, ARI

Imagine DARPA releases a solicitation, you’ve perused it, and think you’re interested in submitting. STOP right there! This session is designed for you to learn what really should be going into your ...

12:25 PM - 12:30 PM

INTAP SBA Lightning Talk

Natasha Jensen Matta

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has specific programs, accelerators, resources, and more to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs start, grow, innovate, and thrive in Indiana....

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch On Site (Pay during registration)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Fireside Chat - Teaming Strategies and Successes

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

Reggie Cooper, DARPA

John Maddox, TCRDF

This fireside chat addresses a critical component of a successful DARPA program: building an effective team. Our diverse group of panelists will share strategies for identifying and recruiting expert...

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

Strategy for a Winning DARPA Proposal

Reggie Cooper, DARPA

Ben Griffin, DARPA

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

Andrew Detor, DARPA

Finally, now that you better understand what should be included in the proposal process, take some time to hear from DARPA PMs about what they expect to read upon receiving your submissions. You’ll a...

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

NavalX Midwest Tech Bridge

Anne Fields Lucas

Our mission is to educate the ecosystem on resources available in the Midwest, Crane technology areas, partnership opportunities, and how to work with the Department of Defense. We work to rapidly an...

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Networking Session

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Open Q & A Session

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

Dr. Bill Kiser, ARI

4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Concluding Remarks

Jennifer Thabet, DARPA

Dr. Bill Kiser, ARI

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Networking Social

About this event

ON SITE REGISTATION EXTENDED TO END OF DAY, MAY 4, 2023!!

On behalf of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Applied Research Institute (ARI) is excited to invite you to a DARPAConnect pop-up event in Indianapolis! The event will be held at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.

DARPAConnect is designed to broaden DARPA’s reach and stimulate growth and collaboration between DARPA, small businesses, and education institutions new to the national security space. With the goal of breaking down barriers to entry, this event aims to educate, motivate, and inspire nontraditional performers and underrepresented academic organizations, including Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). DARPAConnect engagements serve as a key avenue to grow the national security innovation ecosystem.

Produced with newcomers in mind, the DARPAConnect pop-up will offer insight into what DARPA is, how to approach DARPA program managers appropriately with your input, and how to position your organization to compete successfully for contract awards from DARPA. Featured speakers include:

  • Ms. Jennifer Thabet, Program Director, Small Business Programs Office (SBPO), DARPA
  • Dr. Kerri Dugan, Office Director, Biological Technologies Office (BTO), DARPA
  • Dr. Benjamin Griffin, Program Manager, Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), DARPA
  • Dr. Reginald Cooper, Program Manager, Strategic Technology Office (STO), DARPA
  • Dr. Andrew Detor, Program Manager, Defense Sciences Office, DARPA
  • Mr. Mark Jones, Contract Specialist, DARPA
  • Ms. Natalie Kent, Contract Specialist, DARPA
  • Mr. Paul Braun, Director, Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois
  • Dr. Bill Kiser, Chief Technology Officer, Applied Research Institute
  • Ms. Brooke Pyne, Executive Vice President Innovation and Strategy, Applied Research Institute
  • Dr. Jessica Resig, Director of Solutions Innovation, Applied Research Institute
  • Mr. John Maddox, Executive Navigator, Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation
  • Ms. Anne Fields Lucas, Director, NavalX Midwest Tech Bridge
  • Ms. Chris Jeffers, Vice President, IEDC Defense Business Development
  • Ms. Natasha Jensen-Matta, Director, Small Business, Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Check out the full agenda below (subject to change based on speaker availability).

We hope you’ll be able to join us on May 9, 2023, either in Indianapolis or online! The opportunity to speak with DARPA program managers and Defense Department stakeholders will only be offered for in-person attendees, and space is limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available nearby?

Parking is available on a surface lot, and in a nearby garage at attendee's cost. A reduced day-rate has been obtained for you!

What are the lunch options?

The $30 registration fee includes all breaks and lunch for the day. Catering is provided by an on-site vendor. Additional/optional items may be procured on site as well. Please indicate dietary constraints on the registration form.

Will archives of the event be made available?

Yes, registered participants will receive access to the archives of the entire event. A link will be provided through email to the registrants.

Will I have an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from DARPA?

Absolutely! This is one of the main reasons DARPAConnect popup events are being offered; to find new performers and demystify the process of doing business with DARPA! Please be sure to indicate any questions you would like to have addressed on the registration form so we can be prepared!

Organized by

DARPAConnect (in partnership with ARI)
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