Field of View (FOV) - February 2025

Early-Stage Aerospace & Defense Newsletter.

Author

Approach Venture
March 04, 2025

Comprised of experienced startup operators and former DoD, Approach Venture was formed to enable founding teams building the future of frontier technology to achieve their full potential. Approach supports frontier technology startups with business development, proposal writing and recruiting as well as larger organizations with technology scouting, due diligence and market intelligence.

CONTACT APPROACH to learn more. Follow us on LINKEDIN.

SBIR / STTR PROGRAMS SET TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 2025.

The House Small Business Committee recently held a hearing on the Reauthorization of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, underscoring the urgency of keeping these initiatives alive which are currently set to expire in September 2025. The committee aims to implement reforms that ensure the programs foster technological advancements without foreign interference. Lawmakers raised concerns about foreign exploitation, particularly by China, and stressed the need for a merit-based selection process to protect US technology breakthroughs and advancements critical to our nation’s security.

The hearing reinforced the critical role of these programs in maintaining US economic competitiveness and global technological leadership. Although we believe the reauthorization will happen, we do expect to see changes around how SBIR / STTR programs are run to be more efficient and organized compared to how processes work today across organizations who fund startups through these vehicles. Transparency and consistency on the proposal review and down-selection process across government organizations who fund startups through SBIR / STTR dollars could be greatly improved. We are in constant receipt of inbounds from startup founders looking for BD and proposal support who feel as if their proposal submissions are a total shot in the dark and they’re not wrong in many cases.

WHITE HOUSE INFUSION OF VC AND STARTUP EXPERTISE.

The recent infusion of startup and venture capital expertise into the White House is driving transformation in the A&D industry, characterized by technological innovation and immense focus on efficiency—something our government has not historically been known for. Many White House leaders and advisors are now either limited partners in defense-focused venture capital firms or former startup founders themselves.

The most recent example is President Trump’s nomination of Air Force Lieutenant General Dan "Razin" Caine as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is a Venture Partner at Shield Capital as of January 2025. His experience highlights the ability to bridge military leadership with entrepreneurial and investment expertise by understanding startups and venture capital. Dan’s experience in VC unlocks an understanding of how startups operate, scale and secure funding, making him well-positioned to integrate emerging technologies into defense strategy. We expect to see an uptick in rapid innovation cycles and greater engagement with venture-backed startups to modernize US defense capabilities.

US DEFENSE PROCUREMENT SHIFT.

Formerly known as the “Iron Dome for America” solicitation in sam.gov, the now named “Golden Dome” solicitation points to a fundamental shift in defense procurement by prioritizing emerging technologies like AI, autonomous systems and space-based sensors, creating new potential opportunities for startups (we’ll see how the down-selection process shakes out). The Department of Defense (DoD) is in the process of attempting to streamline acquisition processes and increase funding opportunities for startups to secure contracts and bring innovations to market faster.

Mentioned in JULY FOV, collaborative development models are being encouraged for startups to work alongside traditional defense contractors to accelerate development timelines and enhance visibility of startups in the defense sector, fundamentally changing how they are integrated into large-scale military projects. To expedite the development and deployment of the Golden Dome system, the DoD is attempting to implement more agile acquisition strategies.

TALENT & JOBS

HERE contains February’s list of active, Tier I industry talent actively seeking a new mission.

RISE OF AI GENERATED RESUMES.

AI-generated resumes are becoming more common, making it harder than ever to separate real, qualified talent from those who are not. According to a recent survey, 45% of job seekers say they use AI to enhance or generate their resumes (FoxBusiness, 2024). While AI can be a useful tool for job seekers optimizing their resumes for specific roles, it creates a challenge for hiring managers who must sift through polished but misleading applications. Candidates who look perfect on paper but can’t deliver in practice can waste valuable time, money, and opportunities the longer they stay in the hiring process.

To filter out unqualified applicants early, cross-reference LinkedIn and other social profiles to catch inconsistencies. Use job-specific screening questions that require real expertise, as vague or overly polished answers can be red flags. A short video screen with direct, skills-focused questions can quickly reveal whether a candidate knows their stuff. Look out for unrealistic career jumps, overly generic language, or an excessive list of skills that may not reflect real experience. Request work samples or give a skills test to confirm their abilities if possible. When in doubt, verify credentials and past employment directly. AI can help job seekers fine-tune their resumes, but it can't fake real expertise. Hiring teams that put in extra diligence upfront will save significant time and resources down the line.

FEATURED JOB OPENINGS.

SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER: Shape the future of aerospace and defense with cutting-edge data systems—join a pioneering team to build scalable platforms that drive real-time insights for spacecraft, autonomous systems, and advanced technologies.

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA (hybrid)

SENIOR PROCESS ENGINEER: Revolutionize semiconductor technology for national security with an elite team and pioneer next-gen infrared sensors that empower warfighters and safeguard critical missions.

  • Location: Camarillo, CA (onsite)

STRUCTURAL ANALYST: Join a high-caliber team pushing the boundaries of satellite engineering—play a pivotal role in launching next-generation spacecraft, ensuring structural integrity for precision imaging, advanced communications, and orbital efficiency on a groundbreaking space mission.

  • Location: San Francisco, CA (onsite)

TRACKED SOLICITATIONS

ACTIVE.

  • AFWERX 24.5/D Follow-on Phase II and 25.5 SBIR Open Topic Direct to Phase II (D2P2) submission period closes on 6 March. To submit a proposal, startups must have an executed Customer Memorandum containing signatures from a DAF Customer, End User and Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) respectively. An amendment was released in mid-February removing the requirement to complete Attachment 2 of the Supporting Documents

    • Award Totals: $1.25mm for SBIRs and $1.8mm for STTRs

    • Submission Deadline: March 6, 2025

  • AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) Notice of Opportunity (NOO) is open. This program provides matching funding to help small businesses bridge the “Valley of Death” between Phase II and Phase III. The TACFI team will host an Ask Me Anything on March 6 at 1 pm ET

    • Award Totals: $375k-$2mm

    • Submission Deadline 1: Closed on January 3, 2025

    • Submission Deadline 2: Cycle 2 Packages Due March 31, 2025

  • DoD SBIR/STTR 2025.4 and 2025.D solicitations are active and include a range of technology demands across the US Navy, US Army, MDA, DARPA, SOCOM and Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBD)

    • Award Totals: $250k for SBIRs and STTRs

    • Release #4 Submission Deadline: March 12, 2025

    • Release #5 Submission Deadline: March 26, 2025

  • The Naval Postgraduate School is accepting proposals to participate in their Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) at Camp Roberts. There are two upcoming events: JIFX 25-3 is 12-16 May with a focus on Command, Control, & Countermeasures and JIFX 25-4 is 11-15 August with a focus on Human Machine Integration. All JIFX experiments are self-funded by technologists

    • JIFX 25-3 Submission Deadline: March 4, 2025

    • JIFX 25-4 Submission Deadline: June 5, 2025

  • The 2025 NASA Phase I SBIR/STTR solicitations are active. The specific topics address a range of early-stage NASA R&D technology priorities

    • Award Totals: $150k for SBIRs and STTRs

    • Submission Deadline: March 10, 2025

  • NASA TechLeap Prize is available for registration through March 4. The challenge allows teams that can solve specific NASA Shortfall topics to compete for an opportunity to build a payload for flight

    • Award Totals: Up to $500k for up to 9 winners

    • Submission Deadline: March 20, 2025

  • Army’s xTechIgnite competition is now accepting submissions with 8 SBIR topics mainly focused on AI tools. Up to 64 winners will receive $2,500 along with an invitation to the next phase to win $10,000, then finally an opportunity to win a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II award

    • Award Totals: Up to $250k for Phase I SBIRs and $2mm for D2P2 SBIRs

    • Submission Deadline: March 12, 2025

  • DARPA is interested in exploring the feasibility of “growing” biological structures of unprecedented size in microgravity (500+ meter length). They are accepting responses to their RFI via email and will host a hybrid workshop in San Francisco, CA in April 2025

    • Submission Deadline: March 27, 2025

  • The Navy released an RFI targeting technologies that are TRL 5+ to collect energy, kinetic, capture and entanglement or electronic attack defeat capabilities in support of Counter Uncrewed Systems (C-UXS). Submissions will be reviewed for potential inclusion in future test events, demonstrations, and continuous monitoring of the C-UXS market

    • Submission Deadline: April 30, 2025

UPCOMING.

  • The FY26 Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) selection cycle will open in May 2025. APFIT provides $10-50mm of procurement funding for innovative projects that have completed development and are ready to transition into operational use

    • Only US government entities—including Services, Combatant Commands, Agencies, and the National Guard—are authorized to submit proposals on behalf of eligible companies. Direct submissions from industry are not permitted. As a result, companies seeking to participate must collaborate with a government sponsor to facilitate their proposal submission

  • The next SpaceWERX Orbital Prime solicitation is planned to be released very soon - more to follow as its focus is announced publicly

  • MDA and SDA are seeking Iron Dome technologies. Responses to MDA’s Iron Dome RFI and SDA’s call for Executive Summaries for US “Iron Dome” Architecture Studies were due on Feb 28. The next steps for both lines of effort will likely come in the form of an RFP within the next few months

VENTURE UPDATE

Investing at the intersection of AI, autonomy, robotics, and cybersecurity, Aero X recognizes that software-driven innovation is reshaping aerospace and defense. The team recently produced an insightful industry assessment which highlights TAILWINDS RESHAPING THE A&D INDUSTRY.

The rapid advancements in space and defense technologies, driven by private companies rather than traditional contractors, are fundamentally shifting the industry’s landscape. The convergence of commercial and military applications—such as autonomous systems, AI-driven manufacturing, and dual-use space technology—is redefining national security and economic leadership. As China advances its military-industrial capabilities, the U.S. must accelerate innovation cycles and integrate commercial technology into defense to maintain its strategic edge. The future of aerospace and defense will be determined by companies that can rapidly scale cutting-edge technologies, leveraging early-stage investment to drive both market success and national security impact.

FOUNDER TIP

ONE PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AT A TIME.

Approach often receives inbounds from founders wondering why they are not winning government contracts after many attempts. There are multiple reasons this could be the case but frequent takeaways include: lack of understanding of how to break out their roadmap in chunks / technologies, proposing to too many solicitations simultaneously (diluting effort across all of them) and no connectivity with government organizations they are submitting proposals to. We always advise founders to remain focused on one solicitation at a time and to build a strong, dual-use business development pipelines leading up to any given solicitation.

DID YOU KNOW?

DARPA VENTURE HORIZONS INITIATIVE.

DARPA's VENTURE HORIZONS INITIATIVE aims to connect top-tier investors with the agency's program managers, researchers and technologies to facilitate the scaling and commercialization of defense-related innovations. The next event between DARPA and said investors will take place on Friday, 3/7 in DC.

Link to Last Month’s Newsletter HERE.