From its headquarters in Morgantown, West Virginia, the Civil-Military Innovation Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns frontline military needs into field-tested prototypes and deployable defense solutions. CMI2’s “Innovation in the Dirt” approach embeds its team with Soldiers and units, pairing military experience with technical expertise through DIRT Labs, mobile workspaces, and realistic experimentation. Since 2017, it has maintained personnel embedded at tactical and strategic levels, and nearly 60 percent of its workforce comprises current or former military personnel.
CIE Defense, LLCCIE Defense is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business led by former military and law enforcement professionals who have worked in the environments its clients face. Based at the Summit Point Training Facility in West Virginia, the company develops mission-specific defense solutions for agencies that need more than standard commercial offerings, combining operational experience with in-house engineering, fabrication, and training. Its work is shaped by a small-team approach that keeps development close to real-world use.SUMMIT POINT, WV
National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)Since its founding in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 2003, NCDMM has built its identity as an independent convener for defense manufacturing innovation. The organization brings trusted partners together to move practical manufacturing advances into U.S. defense programs, helping government and industry address production and sustainment challenges for the warfighter. NCDMM now operates from seven locations nationwide.YOUNGSTOWN, OH
PM13 Defense SolutionsWith a team whose combined military experience exceeds a century, PM13 Defense Solutions helps companies navigate federal defense acquisition and move technologies toward the Warfighter. Led by Patrick Maloney and staffed by retired Army and Marine Corps officers alongside technical specialists, the firm develops market strategies, identifies relevant government pathways, and integrates capabilities for military use. PM13 also manufactures bespoke tactical apparel and gear and develops low-profile LED lighting for military vehicles and shelters.ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD
Mission Solutions GroupFounded by military and defense-industry veterans who came together through the $40 billion MRAP program, Mission Solutions Group designs and deploys intelligence, infrastructure, and cybersecurity solutions for secure information exchange. Based in North Charleston, the company brings more than 150 years of combined defense experience to work ranging from mission-critical communications infrastructure to cyber risk and security support. MSG is an ISO 9001:2015-certified small-business prime contractor on Navy SeaPort-NxG.HOLLYWOOD, MD