U.S. Army xTech
The U.S. Army xTech Program is the Army's premier prize competition platform under ASA(ALT), connecting nontraditional small businesses with Army and DoD experts through structured multi-phase competitions that award non-dilutive cash prizes and pathway to follow-on SBIR and OTA contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What U.S. Army xTech does
The U.S. Army xTech Program is the Army's official prize competition initiative, launched in May 2018 as xTechSearch and expanded into a multi-competition portfolio under the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)). It is operated as part of the Army FUZE innovation portfolio and the Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT). The program connects nontraditional small businesses and startups with Army and DoD experts through structured multi-phase competitions—white paper submission, live pitch events, and proof-of-concept demonstrations—culminating in non-dilutive cash prizes and facilitated pathways to follow-on contracts including SBIR Phase I (up to $300K), Direct to Phase II (up to $2M), SBIR CATALYST awards, and Other Transaction Agreements.
The program's product surface spans a flagship open-topic competition (xTechSearch) plus specialized sub-brands: xTech|Phantum (quantum sensors/photonics), xTechHumanoid (militarized humanoid systems), xTechOverwatch (autonomous unmanned systems), xTechCounter Strike (counter-UAS), xTech|Adaptive Strike (rapid-deployment capabilities), xTech|Kinetic Reach (agile sustainment), xTech|Inversion (Army IP commercialization), xTech|Live (live pitch evaluations at innovation events), and xTechSoldier Lethality. The xTech Accelerator provides cohort-based mentorship and venture-building support for finalists. Distribution runs through ValidEval (submission portal), Challenge.gov, SBIR|STTR follow-on contracting, the G-TEAD ACE framework, and live demonstrations with operational units such as 101st Airborne Division and 3rd Infantry Division.
As a federal government program, xTech does not generate revenue; it is funded through Army appropriations and operates under Title 10 U.S.C. § 4025 and Title 15 U.S.C. § 3719 prize authorities. Since inception, xTech has awarded over $30M in non-dilutive cash prizes across 50+ competitions and facilitated more than $285M in follow-on contracts for 9,000+ submissions. Notable outcomes include Compound Eye's $13M SBIR CATALYST award (with RTX and L3Harris as integrators) and LiquidPiston's evolution from $145K finalist to $35M+ in government contracts.
U.S. Army xTech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- U.S. Army xTech
- Legal name
- U.S. Army xTech Program
- Website
- https://xtech.army.mil
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The U.S. Army xTech Program is the Army's premier prize competition platform under ASA(ALT), connecting nontraditional small businesses with Army and DoD experts through structured multi-phase competitions that award non-dilutive cash prizes and pathway to follow-on SBIR and OTA contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
U.S. Army xTech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Innovation Programs
- NAICS
- Space Research and Technology (92711)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC)
Keywords
Where U.S. Army xTech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
U.S. Army xTech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Prize Competitions: xTech operates as a U.S. Army prize competition program managed by ASA(ALT). The program awards non-dilutive cash prizes to small businesses and provides pathways to follow-on SBIR contracts worth up to $2 million or more. As a government program, xTech does not generate revenue but facilitates technology development funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTech|Phantum: Prize pool and SBIR opportunities for quantum sensor and photonics solutions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTech|Adaptive Strike: Prize pool and follow-on opportunities for solutions addressing Army capability gaps |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTechHumanoid: Prize pool for humanoid technology solutions advancing militarized humanoid capabilities |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTech|Inversion: Prize pool for commercialization of Army Intellectual Property |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTech|Kinetic Reach: Prize pool for agile sustainment solutions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTechOverwatch: Prize pool for advanced autonomous unmanned systems |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTechSoldier Lethality: Prize pool for Precision Grenadier System solutions |
| Other | Multi-year contract | xTechCounter Strike: Prize pool for counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) solutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
U.S. Army xTech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
U.S. Army xTech is a government-run prize competition program that connects nontraditional small businesses with Army experts through structured multi-phase competitions. The program awards non-dilutive cash prizes and facilitates follow-on contract opportunities including SBIR Phase I proposals and Other Transaction Agreements for innovative technology solutions addressing Army capability gaps.
Product overview
The U.S. Army xTech Program is an Army Futures Command initiative managed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)), serving as the Army's premier prize competition platform that connects nontraditional small businesses with Army science and technology ecosystems through dynamic competitions. The program encompasses multiple competition formats including flagship open-topic xTechSearch competitions, specialized domain competitions (xTech|Inversion for Army IP commercialization, xTech|Kinetic Reach for sustainment, xTech|Phantum for quantum/photonics, xTechHumanoid for militarized humanoid systems, xTech|Adaptive Strike for rapid deployment, xTech|Live for live pitch evaluations, xTechOverwatch for autonomous systems, xTechCounter Strike for C-UAS, and xTechSoldier for lethality solutions). The xTech Accelerator Program provides cohort-based support for finalists including mentorship, educational programming, and strategic exposure. Since 2018, xTech has awarded over $30 million in non-dilutive cash prizes across 50+ competitions, facilitating follow-on contracts exceeding $285 million.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- xTech|Inversion: Competition seeking small businesses to identify commercialization pathways for Army intellectual property sets
- xTech|Kinetic Reach
- xTech|Adaptive Strike
- xTech|Phantum
- xTechHumanoid
- xTech|Live
- xTechOverwatch
- xTechCounter Strike
- xTech Accelerator
Products and services
- xTechSearch Competition The flagship open-topic prize competition connecting small businesses with Army experts to solve Army challenges through multi-phase competitions awarding cash prizes and potential follow-on contracts.
- xTech Accelerator Program Cohort-based acceleration program for xTech competition finalists providing educational programming, mentorship from Army and commercial stakeholders, strategic exposure, community building, and venture building consultation.
- xTech|Kinetic Reach Competition Prize competition seeking agile sustainment solutions including autonomous container handling, power generation, autonomous UAV/UGV forward refueling, aerial payload transportation, and ground recovery systems. Part of G-TEAD Accelerated Capability Event framework.
- xTech|Inversion Competition Competition applying the xTech prize model to Army-developed intellectual property, challenging small businesses to commercialize 16 Army IP sets spanning chemical detoxification, surveillance, PNT, filtration, energy, and deployable systems.
- xTech|Phantum Competition Prize competition seeking innovative quantum sensor and photonics solutions including quantum sensors for PNT, quantum RF sensors, quantum EM sensors, and photonic technologies for defense applications.
- xTechHumanoid Competition Prize competition advancing militarized humanoid capabilities including baseline humanoid systems for force augmentation and advanced humanoid subsystems such as sensors, autonomy AI, power systems, and counter-detection technologies.
- xTech|Adaptive Strike Competition Prize competition seeking ready-to-deploy solutions for extended reconnaissance range, affordable drones and loitering munitions, power generation for sUAS, and counter-UAS capabilities for soldier operations.
- xTech|Live Competition Series Live pitch and technology evaluation format bringing Army challenges directly into innovation environments at events like eMerge Americas, where companies present solutions to Army subject matter experts with immediate feedback.
- xTechOverwatch Competition Prize competition seeking advanced autonomous unmanned systems (UAV, UGV, sensor networks) with AI capabilities for overwatch and terrain-shaping tasks, including sensor fusion, target recognition, secure communications, and edge computing.
- xTechCounter Strike Competition Prize competition seeking counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) solutions including passive and active UAS detection, threat-simulated platforms, and passive sensing capabilities for force protection.
- xTechSoldier Lethality Competition Prize competition focused on Precision Grenadier System solutions including shoulder-fired 30mm grenade launchers, fire control systems, and soldier lethality enhancements with follow-on contracts up to $2M.
Quantifiable outcome
- $29M+ in prizes awarded across 50+ competitions since 2018
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use U.S. Army xTech
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
U.S. Army xTech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature1 record
U.S. Army xTech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and flagship.
- U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF)coreUSAREUR-AF partnered with G-TEAD and Army FUZE xTech for xTech|Kinetic Reach competition focused on agile sustainment solutions.
- Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD)coreG-TEAD executes xTech|Kinetic Reach as part of its Accelerated Capability Event (ACE) framework, providing Soldier exercises and follow-on OTA opportunities up to $2.7M.
- Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (DUSA)coreDUSA partnered with Army FUZE xTech and DASA R&T for xTech|Inversion, releasing Army IP sets for commercialization by small businesses.
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology (DASA R&T)coreDASA R&T collaborated with DUSA and Army FUZE xTech to deliver xTech|Inversion competition for Army IP commercialization.
- Fed SupernovakeyFed Supernova in Austin, TX hosted xTech|Inversion finals pitch event where finalists presented commercialization approaches to Army and DoW experts.
- 101st Airborne DivisioncoreOperational Army unit partnered with xTech|Live at eMerge Americas 2026. Winners demonstrated technologies during Week of the Eagles exercise and received Army demonstration opportunities.
- Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP)coreJIOP partnered with xTech for xTech|Live at eMerge Americas 2026, enabling live technology evaluation with Army and DoW evaluators.
- eMerge AmericasflagshipxTech partnered with eMerge Americas for xTech|Live competition series, reaching 20,000+ attendees from startup and investment ecosystem. Conference co-founders served as guest judges.
- Army Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT)coreArmy FUZE xTech Program is enabled through PIT. PIT Director COL Shermoan Daiyaan co-leads innovation discussions with Dr. Matt Willis at Army events.
- Army Directorate for Strategy & Transformation (DAMI_ST)coreDAMI_ST partnered with ASA(ALT) for xTech|Phantum competition on quantum sensors and photonics solutions.
- U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID)core3ID partnered with ASA(ALT) and MARNE Innovation Center for xTech|Adaptive Strike competition, providing Soldier exercise environments for technology evaluation.
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)keyNATO subject matter experts and end users participated in xTechCounter Strike finals experimentation event alongside Army and DoD evaluators.
- Army Human Machine Integration (HMI) SummitkeyxTechOverwatch finals event held at Army HMI Summit in October 2025, where up to 40 finalists pitched and demonstrated autonomous unmanned systems.
- RTX (Raytheon)coreRTX (Raytheon) serves as integrator for Compound Eye's VIDAS-SLAM technology under SBIR CATALYST Program, contributing matching funds to the $13M+ award.
- L3HarriscoreL3Harris serves as integrator contributing matching funds for Compound Eye's SBIR CATALYST development of VIDAS-SLAM technology.
- Humanoid Community of CollaborationcoreJoint service and DoD collaboration partnered with ASA(ALT) for xTechHumanoid competition to advance militarized humanoid capabilities.
- Army Futures Command (AFC)coreAFC partnered with ASA(ALT) for xTechOverwatch competition on advanced autonomous unmanned systems. AFC releases topics during specific solicitation periods.
- Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier)corePEO Soldier partnered with xTech for xTechSoldier Lethality competition on Precision Grenadier System solutions. Competition delivered potential $2M follow-on funding opportunity.
- Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A)coreJPEO A&A partnered with PEO Soldier and xTech for xTechSoldier Lethality competition, contributing to requirements refinement and technology evaluation.
- Army Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer (SBIR|STTR) ProgramcoreIntegration between xTech prize competitions and Army SBIR Phase I, Direct to Phase II, and SBIR CATALYST follow-on contract opportunities. Winners can submit SBIR proposals worth up to $300K to $2M+.
- U.S. Army Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT))coreASA(ALT) leads and oversees the xTech Program as the Army's premier prize competition initiative. ASA(ALT) sets program priorities and connects xTech with Army acquisition priorities.
- Army Futures Command (AFC)coreAFC releases xTech topics during fiscal year solicitation periods to address Army current and anticipated war-fighting technology needs.
- U.S. Army DEVCOM (Combat Capabilities Development Command)coreDEVCOM laboratories including Army Research Laboratory, Armaments Center, Aviation & Missile Center, and Ground Vehicle Systems Center evaluate xTech submissions and provide technical feedback.
- U.S. Army SBIR|STTR ProgramcoreProvides follow-on contract pathway through Phase I, Phase II, Direct to Phase II, and SBIR CATALYST programs for xTech competition winners.
- Army Manufacturing Technology (ManTech)coreManTech coordinates with xTech and Army FUZE for manufacturing technology maturation of competition winners.
- Technology Maturation Initiative (TMI)coreTMI coordinates with xTech and Army FUZE for technology maturation of competition winners within the synchronized innovation framework.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
U.S. Army xTech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AFWERX: Air Force innovation program that runs prize competitions, SBIR/STTR, and accelerator programs to connect nontraditional vendors with Air Force and Space Force needs. Direct counterpart to xTech for the Air Force, serving the same startup-to-DoD pathway with overlapping competition topics (e.g., autonomy, counter-UAS).
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): DoD organization that accelerates commercial technology into military use through Other Transaction Agreements and prototype contracts. Closely comparable to xTech as a front door for nontraditional defense vendors, though DIU operates DoD-wide while xTech is Army-specific.
- SOFWERX: SOCOM's innovation partnership facility that runs prize competitions, hackathons, and accelerator-style events to source nontraditional technologies. Closely mirrors xTech's model of structured competitions and Soldier engagement, but scoped to special operations.
- NSF I-Corps: National Science Foundation program that uses customer discovery and cohort-based training to accelerate commercialization of federally funded research. Closely mirrors xTech Accelerator's cohort-based education and mentorship model for translating research/innovation into deployable solutions.
- U.S. Army SBIR/STTR Program Office: Manages the Army's Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer programs that provide Phase I/II contracts to small businesses. Directly integrated with xTech as the follow-on funding pathway, and operates the same nontraditional-vendor-to-Army mission via a different mechanism (contracts vs. prizes).
- NASA Centennial Challenges: NASA's prize competition program offering cash prizes for innovative aerospace solutions. Closely matches xTech's prize authority model (Title 51 U.S.C. prize authority) and multi-phase competition structure, though focused on civil aerospace rather than military needs.
Broad incumbents
- In-Q-Tel: Not-for-profit strategic investor for the U.S. intelligence community, funding dual-use commercial technologies. Comparable as a mechanism connecting nontraditional innovators to government customers, though venture-oriented rather than prize-based.
- DARPA: DoD's premier R&D agency funding breakthrough defense technologies through grants and contracts. Comparable as a defense innovation funding mechanism but operates at much larger scale and longer time horizons than xTech's prize competition format.
Emerging players
- FedTech: Startup studio and accelerator that matches entrepreneurs with federal agency technologies (including DoD) for commercialization. Operates a similar dual mission of government tech transfer and startup acceleration, partially overlapping xTech|Inversion's IP commercialization focus.
- BMNT: Defense innovation consulting firm and accelerator helping startups and government agencies adopt commercial technology faster. Adjacent to xTech in mission (accelerating nontraditional tech into DoD) and methodology (cohort-based programs, problem-definition frameworks), but operates as a private contractor rather than a government program.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
U.S. Army xTech social profiles
Digital presenceU.S. Army xTech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
U.S. Army xTech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
U.S. Army xTech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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U.S. Army xTech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
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Frequently asked questions about U.S. Army xTech
What does U.S. Army xTech do?
U.S. Army xTech is a government-run prize competition program that connects nontraditional small businesses with Army experts through structured multi-phase competitions. The program awards non-dilutive cash prizes and facilitates follow-on contract opportunities including SBIR Phase I proposals and Other Transaction Agreements for innovative technology solutions addressing Army capability gaps.
Is U.S. Army xTech a public or private company?
U.S. Army xTech is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was U.S. Army xTech founded?
U.S. Army xTech was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is U.S. Army xTech based?
U.S. Army xTech is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does U.S. Army xTech make money?
One revenue line is on record: prize Competitions.
Who are U.S. Army xTech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AFWERX, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), SOFWERX, NSF I-Corps, U.S. Army SBIR/STTR Program Office and NASA Centennial Challenges. Broad incumbents are In-Q-Tel and DARPA. Emerging players are FedTech and BMNT.
Does U.S. Army xTech have an API?
No public API is recorded for U.S. Army xTech.
What industry is U.S. Army xTech in?
U.S. Army xTech's product category is Defense Innovation Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAHAC, Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation. Its NAICS code is 92711 and its SIC code is 8734.