The Defense & Security Technology Accelerator (DSTA) is yet another resource to help North Carolina companies and entrepreneurs take advantage of business opportunities with the military.

The DSTA, located in Fayetteville (Cumberland County), is a business incubator / accelerator focusing on defense, security & intelligence technology:  locating entrepreneurs and innovators in technology, matching their technology with specific and immediate military needs and/or private business demands, and providing the resources to bring these technology innovations to fruition.  DSTA focuses on the rapid development, usually an 8 to 18-month timeline, of dual-use solutions — technologies with both military and commercial applications — to spur new job creation.

To provide resources and guidance to entrepreneurs and early-stage technology companies, DSTA works closely with the military, private industry, universities, and particularly technological and scientific companies, researchers and experts in Research Triangle Park.

To accomplish its goals, DSTA’s key components are:

• A 15,000 square-foot facility with Class A office space of different sizes, state-of-the-art laboratory space, and shared conference rooms for approximately 12-15 companies that can stay for a maximum of 2 years;
• Space within the facility where engineers and other experts can assist entrepreneurs and businesses in developing and testing prototypes, and where military can view and evaluate these prototypes;
• An affiliate program to assist North Carolina companies not physically located at DSTA;
• Fusion Grants providing $10,000 – $50,000 per company to member companies demonstrating financial need.  The grants can be used for the development or refinement of defense-related products and technology that also have commercial potential.

 
Counties located along this corridor between Fayetteville and the Research Triangle Park stand to greatly benefit from many new business opportunities.  As one of these counties, Moore County will be able to encourage and support technological entrepreneurs and innovators and offer resources, through DSTA, to accelerate technology development and job creation.

Interested defense and security-oriented technology companies must apply to join DSTA.  >> For more information, contact Scott Perry, Executive Director, at 910-864-3782 or email at scottperry@dstanc.org.  Visit the DSTA website at www.dstanc.org.