A team of subject matter experts will evaluate applicants and select up to the top 15 companies per Problem Set as semi-finalists for participation in the virtual Pitch Day in August 2022. The top 20 companies (10 companies per Problem Set) will be finalists invited to an in-person Demonstration Day and awarded $10,000 for travel and final preparations.
Two separate Demonstration Days will commence in Southern California, one for each Problem Set, during which the participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate platform capabilities. A total of $500,000 in awards will be available to the top four companies. The first place company for each Problem Set will receive a $200,000 award, and the second place company will receive a $50,000 award.
NAVSEA and NAVFAC are making significant investments in this arena, and looking to support the growth of autonomous inspection technologies in startups that can support various defense applications.