Pitch Day Victors Remain Optimistic During Uncertain Times

Photo By Keith C Lewis | MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM T. COOLEY addresses SBIR Pitch Day  

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH, UNITED STATES

05.06.2021

Story by Marcus A Morton 

Air Force Research Laboratory

Story written by Jim Ingram - A Beavercreek, Ohio business remains optimistic about its future nearly a year after the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) hosted the first ever Air Force Technology Executive Officer (AF TEO) Day.
In November of 2019, 14 pre-selected small businesses attended the event, backed by the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (AF SBIR/STTR) program, to pitch their concepts focused on technological needs to benefit the warfighter. Businesses were competing for a portion of almost $30 million in investment awards.
Open Additive, a metal additive manufacturer operating out of nearby Beavercreek, was among the small businesses in attendance.
“The (Air Force) TEO Pitch Day was an exciting event that allowed our new spinout company to showcase its technology, interact with other forward-leaning small business leaders, and receive valuable feedback from a distinguished panel of government experts,” said Dr. Ty Pollak, Open Additive President. “It was worthwhile in setting the course for what should be a very successful project.”
AF TEO Pitch Day is just one in a number of efforts the AF SBIR/STTR program has put forth in demystifying the process of doing business with the Air Force and matching small businesses with investors. The program was able to bring in more than $4 billion of outside money onto its various transfer technology programs in 2019.
Pollak said the event allowed him to get a broader scope on what other similar-minded businesses were up to.
“Seeing not only what technologies other companies were working on, but also how they were commercializing and pitching their ideas, was a valuable experience. It helped promote follow-on collaboration exploration with at least one company with complementary capabilities,” he said.
Having made a successful pitch and receiving an award from AF TEO Pitch Day has made a considerable difference for Open Additive, enabling them to go full speed ahead in the development of their industrial-scale technologies. It has also allowed for the expansion of their product line to better serve the defense industrial base.
But the award is more than just money, as it includes technical assistance.
“In addition to the funding itself, the active participation of AFRL technical leads in advisory role is critical to ultimate success,” Pollak said.
Open Additive recently launched an updated version of its PANDA Metal 3D printing system, which is intended to give researchers, technology developers and part producers the ability to create and innovate on an open, high-performance laser powder bed platform ay a significant value.
“The system has already been successfully demonstrated across a range of industrially-relevant parts provided by prospective partners. Development has truly been a team effort involving every member of our team and our external partners,” Pollak explained. “With the CRP funding and other government and industry funded projects getting underway, we expect to have some initial demonstrations on our prototype larger-format system by 2021.”
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the economic forecast very sketchy for many. While Pollak conceded Open Additive is no different in that regard, he remains positive on their outlook.
“I am as bullish as ever on our technology and product line and feel its openness and affordability will resonate even more strongly across the defense industrial base. We are absolutely committed to supporting this customer base with advanced manufacturing solutions and expect to have more application-relevant results in the year ahead,” Pollak said.

Learn how you can receive funding to develop your technology solutions to our warfighter by visiting Air Force Tech Connect at https://airforcetechconnect.org/ and Air Force SBIRSTTR at https://www.afsbirsttr.af.mil/!

• Date Taken: 05.06.2021
• Date Posted: 05.06.2021 13:20
• Story ID: 395818
• Location: WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH, US