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Innovation Empire Newsletter: April 2025


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Welcome to the April 2025 Edition of the Innovation Empire Newsletter!


This month, we’re celebrating the incredible momentum building across the Inland Empire’s innovation ecosystem. From breakthrough pitch competitions to federal funding workshops and strategic summits, April is packed with opportunities for entrepreneurs, innovators, government leaders, and academic partners to collaborate and grow.


Inside this edition, you’ll find details on the NavalX Crucible Pitch Competition where startup teams will pitch game-changing technologies aligned with defense and dual-use markets, our exciting new launch of the SBIR/STTR Workshop Series on April 23 to help local businesses access federal non-dilutive funding and navigate the SBIR/STTR landscape, the Inland Empire Small Business Summit (May 5–6).


In this issue, you will also read about the brilliant mind behind the idea of Innovation Empire, director of the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, Troy Clarke!


Plus, read about Super Foam’s recent pitch win, and key ecosystem resources designed to support your next big idea.


Thanks for being part of the Innovation Empire—where regional collaboration drives national impact. Let’s keep building together.



Upcoming Events


APRIL 16TH, 2025, 11:00AM-1:00PM PST, NAVALX CRUCIBLE PITCH COMPETITION

Join us for the NavalX Crucible Pitch Competition — a showcase of emerging innovators shaping the future of defense and deep tech.On April 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST, meet the 2025 Crucible Ignitor and Crucible Accelerator cohorts as they present bold solutions aligned with seven defense-focused technology areas. From commercial-ready innovations to breakthrough prototypes, these teams are pushing boundaries in support of national security and dual-use applications.Don’t miss this opportunity to see what’s next in defense tech—direct from the Inland Empire and beyond.Register Here: https://hubs.ly/Q03f4PsM0

 

APRIL 23RD, 2025, 9:00AM PST, UNLOCKING SBIR SUCCESS: SBIR/STTR PROGRAM OVERVIEW & TOPIC PREVIEW

Join the Inland Empire Tech Bridge and High Desert Tech Bridge for Unlocking SBIR/STTR Success: SBIR/STTR Program Overview & Topic Preview on Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:00 AM PST—a free, hybrid workshop designed to help startups and small businesses navigate the federal funding process.

Whether you attend in person or virtually, you’ll gain practical insights into the SBIR/STTR programs, learn best proposal practices, and explore how your business can benefit from working with the Department of Defense.

Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock non-dilutive funding for your innovation!


MAY 5TH-6TH, 2025, 10:00AM-1:00PM PST, INLAND EMPIRE SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT

You’re invited to the Inland Empire Tech Bridge Small Business Summit on May 5–6, 2025 at 10 AM to 1 PM PST!This hybrid event will take place in person at the Inland Empire Tech Bridge and online (virtual link coming soon). Join us as we bring together Department of Defense leaders, small business experts, and regional partners to explore how startups and entrepreneurs can work with the DoD.Learn about programs like SBIR/STTR, hear real success stories, and gain insights to help your business grow in the defense innovation space.


AUGUST 11TH-15TH, JIFX 25-4: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HUMAN-MACHINE COLLABORATION

As technology continues to reshape operations across industries, the integration of humans and machines has never been more critical. The Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) 25-4 event, taking place August 11–15, 2025, at the NPS Field Laboratory at Camp Roberts, will bring together innovators, technologists, and field experts to explore cutting-edge Human-Machine Integration (HMI) solutions.

This year’s focus will examine how intuitive interfaces, AI-assisted decision-making, and advanced robotics can enhance efficiency, situational awareness, and overall performance in high-stakes environments. Key areas of exploration include collaborative robotics, AR/VR applications, biometric systems, AI-driven support tools, and voice and gesture control.

JIFX 25-4 is an opportunity for researchers, defense agencies, tech developers, and interface designers to collaborate and drive real-world advancements in HMI. Interested in shaping the future of human-machine synergy? 

Learn more and submit your proposal by June 5, 2025 at www.nps.edu/fx or email npsfx@nps.edu.



The Innovation Landscape: Hear from Leaders Advancing Technology, Business, and Sustainability!


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This month in The Innovation Landscape, we’re spotlighting Troy Clarke, Director of the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, whose bold leadership and strategic vision are transforming the Inland Empire into a nationally recognized hub for defense innovation, public-private collaboration, and sustainable technology development.


If you want to know what it takes to connect entrepreneurs with Navy opportunities, ask Troy Clarke. As Director of NavalX’s Inland Empire Tech Bridge, anchored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona Division, Troy is at the helm of initiatives that bridge defense innovation with regional talent and technology. With a career spanning over two decades in Navy public affairs and strategic engagement, his leadership is instrumental in breaking down silos between the Department of Defense, academia, and private industry.


Under Troy’s direction, the Inland Empire Tech Bridge focuses on key technology areas such as data analytics and visualization, networked data environments for live, virtual, and constructive training, and advanced measurement science, including high-energy laser technology. But more importantly, his work ensures that these innovations don’t just stay in the lab—they reach the fleet.


One standout example is the Crucible Innovation Accelerator, launched in 2024 to support dual-use technology development. This initiative creates new ventures based on patents from federal labs and top-tier universities such as Stanford, UCLA, UC Riverside, and UC Irvine. So far, the Crucible has launched 18 startups and is currently working with another 23 existing companies to adapt commercial technologies to military use. From rapid-charging lithium batteries to mission planning holograms and water-from-air systems, these innovations are being accelerated for real-world defense applications.


Complementing Crucible is the Inland Empire Innovation Summit, another signature initiative driven by Troy. This annual event convenes more than 300 stakeholders—Department of Defense officials, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and government leaders—to fast-track technology transfer and foster collaboration across sectors. “Through initiatives like these,” Troy says, “we’re finding better, faster ways to bridge the gap between research and commercialization.”


Beyond the programs, Troy’s broader mission is embodied in his vision of Innovation Empire—a regional movement to position Riverside and San Bernardino counties as national leaders in innovation, driven by defense technology, advanced manufacturing, and beyond. Leveraging the Inland Empire’s unique assets—proximity to logistics corridors, world-class academic institutions, growing tech infrastructure, and a strong manufacturing base—Innovation Empire is redefining the region’s economic trajectory.


Troy’s past as the award-winning Director of Public and Congressional Affairs at NSWC Corona and his multiple Navy public affairs honors underscore his ability to build networks, communicate strategy, and deliver results. Today, he uses that expertise to drive Innovation Empire forward, forging public-private partnerships and expanding access to opportunity.


The Inland Empire is no longer just watching Silicon Valley, Boston, or Austin lead the way—it’s stepping onto the national stage with its own identity as a hub for forward-looking innovation. Thanks to Troy’s leadership and the Tech Bridge’s growing network, the region is not only keeping up—it’s setting the pace for what’s next in national security and regional economic growth.



Naval X Crucible Alumni Wins 2024 SoCal Oasis Pitch Challenge Final Event


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Last December, our Inland Empire Tech Bridge team had the privilege of attending the University of California Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnership 2024 SoCal OASIS Pitch Challenge. The event brought together regional entrepreneurs, academics, and innovation leaders driving sustainability and technological advancement in Southern California. Among the standout participants was Super Foam, a NavalX Crucible Ignitor-created company, and the only startup to advance from Crucible Ignitor to the Accelerator program—a testament to their market feasibility, maturity and competitiveness.


Super Foam develops high-performance, environmentally friendly foam aimed at preventing injuries and trauma, both for warfighter and first-responder protection. At the pitch challenge, they secured first place and received $75,000 in funding. Their momentum continued with a $75,000 matching award from the California Governor’s Office of Innovation, bringing their total award to $150,000. Competing against companies from across the country, many backed by more established innovation ecosystems, Super Foam’s success highlights the strength and potential of our region’s emerging innovators.


The Inland Empire Tech Bridge is proud to support startups like Super Foam by fostering critical connections, providing strategic resources, and helping bring game-changing technologies to the defense and commercial markets.



Spotlight on Innovation: NavalX's Crucible Program


The Crucible Innovation Accelerator is a signature initiative of the NavalX Inland Empire Tech Bridge, designed to empower entrepreneurs, inventors, and startups to develop and scale dual-use technologies that serve both commercial and national security needs. Originally launched in Southern California, the program has now expanded across the Pacific Rim—including California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii—building a broader innovation pipeline for defense and beyond.


This multi-year effort provides participants with the resources, mentorship, and connections needed to accelerate their path to market and make real-world impact.


Click the link below to learn more about how Crucible is shaping the future of innovation: https://www.fedtech.io/resource/blog-crucible-pathwaytoscale




Regional Updates


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Inland SoCal "Accelerate California Innovation Hub": Empowering Startups, Driving Innovation, and Transforming Our Region


The Inland SoCal Accelerate California Innovation Hub (iHub) boosts innovation and entrepreneurial success across Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties. By uniting accelerators, incubators, and support organizations, it strengthens the region’s startup ecosystem and helps ventures secure funding, develop products, and access markets.


Key Programs:

• Opportunity Gateway Program: Intensive mentoring to prepare startups for funding and market success.

• SBIR/STTR Resource Center: Expert guidance that has secured over $24M in federal R&D funding, double the national success rate.


Learn how the Hub drives economic growth and empowers innovation! Click here to explore the iHub's programs: https://ihub.ucr.edu/programs-and-services



Ready to Launch Your Tech Business? Register for UCR's Zero-to-Entreprenuer Program by May 15th!


UCR’s Zero-to-Entrepreneur program is back! This free course is open to anyone interested in launching a tech-focused business—no experience needed. Learn from expert mentors, customize your path, and take your first step toward entrepreneurship.


Join the info session on Saturday, April 12 at UCR!




Funding & Resources


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Small Business Innovation Research: SBIR.gov

SBIR provides equity free funding through federal agencies to American small businesses. Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization.


Inland Empire APEX Accelerator: IEAPEX.org

Inland Empire APEX Accelerator helps businesses identify, compete for and win government contracts. Free assistance comes in the forms of teaching, mentoring and coaching. The Inland Empire APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.


Orange County & Inland Empire Small Business Development Center: https://ociesmallbusiness.org/ 

With a team of more than 100 business owners and industry experts, the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is the consulting firm you need for your business. They offer no-cost resources to entrepreneurs throughout the Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.


Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs: https://business.defense.gov/

The Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs is focused on increasing small business participation in acquisitions through targeted programs, reducing barriers to entry, and providing resources to industry to make it easier to do business with the DoD. OSBP is a network of small business professionals with common values, shared knowledge, and regular communication, who partner with acquisition professionals, seeking small businesses to fulfill DoD procurement requirements and give our Service Members the competitive advantage.


ExCITE is organized for the purpose of facilitating the successful acceleration of startup companies engaged in entrepreneurial research and development of advanced technologies with the intent to create high technology jobs in the county of Riverside.


Riverside County Office of Economic Development: https://rivcoed.org/

The Riverside County Office of Economic Development (RivCoED) department has been established to provide the highest level of service to our customers, businesses, patrons and residents. RivCoED is committed to foster economic vitality, to preserve and enhance neighborhoods, to improve the quality of life and to promote learning for all residents of Riverside County. Through a wide range of economic development programs, the department is dedicated to creating a system for responsible economic growth in the unincorporated regions as well as with city partners. RivCoED is the distinctive combination of knowledge and method to successfully deliver these public services to Riverside County businesses and residents. The Office of Economic Development has several units that aggressively promote Riverside County and its business development opportunities, including Economic Development, International Business Office, Libraries and Special Districts. The overarching goal of the department is to facilitate regional economic development efforts that promote job growth, investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation; the office also creates a business-friendly climate that supports the efforts of the private sector.


San Bernardino County Economic Development: https://selectsbcounty.com/

Located in the heart of Southern California, San Bernardino County is a hub for global commerce. The County features an extensive transportation infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and measurable business cost savings. With room for both local and global companies to launch and expand, San Bernardino County continues to inspire migration, making it a high growth area. San Bernardino County Economic Development offers a number of resources to ensure that your business succeeds within the county.




Stay in the loop with the exciting developments in Innovation Empire!


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By following our social media pages, you’ll gain exclusive insights into groundbreaking innovations, upcoming events, and success stories that are transforming the region. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, community leader, or simply passionate about driving economic growth and innovation, our updates will keep you inspired and informed.



Together, let’s build a brighter future for the Inland Empire.


 
 
 

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