A Launchpad for Innovation in Hampton Roads
“Innovation Happens Here” is a common phrase used throughout the Norfolk Innovation Corridor (NIC), by our volunteers and in our communications. It simply reflects the dynamic when entrepreneurs, researchers, businesses, and public institutions come together to tackle today’s toughest challenges with tomorrow’s ideas. One of the most promising new platforms advancing this mission is the Defense Technology Accelerator (DTA), hosted by 757 Collab in partnership with NavalX’s Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge.
The DTA is more than an 11-week program for startups. It is a regional launchpad — a hybrid initiative designed to take breakthrough technologies and accelerate them into the Department of Defense (DoD) ecosystem while also preparing them for civilian markets.
For businesses, universities, and innovators within our NIC community this represents a unique opportunity to engage directly in the dual-use technology pipeline that will shape both our local economy and our national security future.
Why Dual-Use Technology Matters for the NIC Community
So what exactly is “dual-use technology,” and why should the NIC Community care? Put simply, dual-use means technologies with applications in both the military and civilian sectors. These are not abstract concepts; they’re innovations that touch daily life and create new industries.
- Drones and autonomy — first designed for reconnaissance, now applied to everything from agriculture to package delivery.
- Cybersecurity and AI tools — built for national defense, now protecting small businesses, hospitals, and financial institutions.
- Sensor and navigation technologies — developed for naval operations, now essential in logistics, transportation, and smart cities.
For the NIC Community, the relevance is twofold:
Business Opportunity – Companies in our Corridor can partner with startups, provide services, or adapt dual-use technologies into their own industries. The civilian spillover is where much of the economic growth will happen.
Regional Competitiveness – By hosting and supporting programs like the DTA, Norfolk strengthens its reputation as a hub where defense, academia, and industry converge to solve real problems. That visibility draws talent, investment, and customers to the Corridor.
In short: dual-use innovation is not just a defense story; it’s a Norfolk story. And it’s a story where the NIC Community can play an active role — whether by mentoring, partnering, investing, or simply staying ahead of the trends shaping both our national security and our regional economy.
