Inland Empire Tech Bridge Hosts Maverick Innovation Labs Preview Reception on Top Gun Day

Inland Empire Tech Bridge partners proudly display Innovation Month Proclamations from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, along with Certificates of Recognition presented by Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel.

Norco, CA — On May 13th—recognized nationally as Top Gun Day—the Inland Empire Tech Bridge welcomed a full house of regional leaders, innovators, and partners for the official preview of Maverick Innovation Labs, an emerging hub for dual-use technology development, collaboration, and hands-on prototyping.

Held at the Maverick Innovation Labs facility, the reception drew elected officials, economic development representatives, entrepreneurs, startups, and academic partners from across the Inland Empire. The event marked an important milestone in the region’s growing innovation ecosystem and celebrated the collaborative momentum fueling high-tech growth in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Attendees heard from a lineup of distinguished speakers including: Dr. Wolde-Ab Isaac, Chancellor of Riverside Community College District; Supervisor Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District; Troy Clarke, Director of the Inland Empire Tech Bridge; Captain Joe Burgon, Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division; and Debra Mustain, Dean of Community Partnerships and Workforce Development at RCCD.

Speakers emphasized the critical role that innovation, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration play in advancing both economic growth and national security. Dr. Isaac and Dean Mustain shared RCCD’s ongoing commitment to community-connected learning and training for next-generation careers. Supervisor Spiegel underscored the county’s long-term vision for regional competitiveness through strategic innovation investments. Troy Clarke’s remarks spotlighted the Inland Empire’s little-known historical connection to the Navy’s famed Top Gun program, reinforcing the region’s deep roots in defense excellence. His comments set the tone for Maverick Innovation Labs’ future as a launchpad for cutting-edge technologies that can serve both military and civilian needs.

A highlight of the event included remarks from Zef Neemuchwala, CEO of Super Foam Corp., a NavalX Crucible program alumni and Inland Empire-based startup. Super Foam Corp. recently secured $150,000 in non-dilutive funding at the 2024 SoCal Oasis Pitch Challenge, a testament to the potential of early-stage companies in the region.

Neemuchwala credited the local innovation ecosystem—including support from Tech Bridge programs—for helping accelerate Superfoam’s growth and visibility. The reception also featured informal lab tours, giving guests a first look at the advanced equipment being installed at Maverick Innovation Labs, from high-performance 3D printers to materials analysis instruments—resources that will soon be available to local startups, students, and collaborators. Maverick Innovation Labs is the home of the Inland Empire Tech Bridge and the Inland Empire APEX Accelerator and will generate powerful synergies between partners dedicated to supporting innovation, government contracting, and entreprenuership in the region.

As the Inland Empire Tech Bridge continues to expand its reach and impact, events like this reaffirm the power of public-private partnerships in building a resilient and future-ready innovation economy. The Maverick Innovation Labs Preview Reception not only showcased what’s possible today—it set the stage for what’s next.

To learn more about Maverick Innovation Labs and upcoming programs, visit https://www.innovationempire.us/.