The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem

What The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem does

The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem (MN-NS-ECO) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit industry association headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, organized to connect Minnesota-based businesses, academic institutions, and nonprofits with U.S. national security opportunities. It was constituted in 2023-2024 and operates with a small staff (1-10 employees) governed by a six-person Board of Directors. Since October 2025, MN-NS-ECO has served as the operator of Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Minnesota, a strategic initiative of the Defense Innovation Unit under the U.S. Department of War that provides an 'open front door' for entrepreneurs, researchers, and commercial companies to apply technologies to DoW needs through educational programming and stakeholder gatherings. The ecosystem includes 60+ member organizations spanning defense primes (BAE Systems, Collins Aerospace, General Dynamics, Leonardo DRS), industrial anchors (3M, North Wind), national laboratories (Sandia National Laboratories), and academic institutions (University of Minnesota, Metro State University, Rochester Community and Technical College, University of St. Thomas).

MN-NS-ECO's core products are programmatic rather than technological: the OnRamp Hub serves as the flagship federal-facing program, while a tiered membership program (Individual $1,000; University/Nonprofit/Startup $2,500; Small Business 11-100 employees $5,000; Enterprise 100+ employees $10,000; Government complementary) constitutes the sole disclosed revenue stream, supplemented by per-person event meal charges for government attendees. The organization also maintains a public job board at natsecmn.org for member hiring needs. There are no proprietary technology platforms, software products, or AI/ML systems disclosed; the offering is fundamentally human-coordination and access-brokering in nature.

The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: stakeholder gatherings, educational programming, and direct outreach serve as primary acquisition mechanisms for new members. The organization markets primarily through its website, member directory, and events. The fundamental value proposition is structural — Minnesota historically ranks near 50th in defense spending per capita despite Congress appropriating nearly $850 billion annually for national security — and MN-NS-ECO positions itself as the conduit to redirect a larger share of that appropriation toward Minnesota-based entities through coordinated engagement with federal, state, and local policymakers.

Name

The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem

Legal name

The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem

Website

https://natsecmn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem is a Saint Paul-based 501(c)(6) nonprofit that operates Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Minnesota for the Defense Innovation Unit, connecting 60+ member businesses, universities, and nonprofits to U.S. Department of War opportunities through tiered membership, events, and policy engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Industry Association

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security) (BPAIAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs (BPADABAH)

Keywords

• National security association
• Defense innovation hub
• Industry-academia collaboration
• Workforce development programs
• Policy engagement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The organization generates revenue through tiered membership fees based on organization type and size. Individual membership is $1,000 annually, university/nonprofit/startup membership is $2,500, small business membership (11-100 employees) is $5,000, and enterprise membership (100+ employees) is $10,000. Government officials receive complementary membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem (MN-NS-ECO) is an industry, academic, and nonprofit-driven 501(c)(6) organization that supports member businesses, academic institutions, and nonprofits in advancing national security-related innovation in Minnesota. Since October 2025, it has operated Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Minnesota as an official 'open front door' for Minnesota entities to engage with the U.S. Department of War. The organization delivers its value through tiered membership, educational programming, stakeholder gatherings, networking, and a job board for the national security sector.

Product overview

The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem is an industry, academic, and nonprofit-driven 501(c)(6) organization (not a technology product company) that operates Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Minnesota as its primary program. The ecosystem provides capacity-building, networking, and information sharing among member businesses, academic institutions, and entities engaged in national security. Through educational programming and stakeholder gatherings, OnRamp Hub: Minnesota serves as an 'open front door' to Minnesota entities seeking to engage with the U.S. Department of War. The organization also offers a membership program with tiered pricing and maintains a job board for sector employment opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Minnesota: A strategic initiative designed to lower barriers for entrepreneurs, researchers, and commercial companies that want to apply their technologies to the national security needs of the U.S. Department of War.

Products and services

• Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Minnesota ranked near 50th in defense spending per capita historically - the ecosystem aims to improve this ranking
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• U.S. Department of War (Defense Innovation Unit)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Since October 2025, MN-NS-ECO has operated Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Minnesota on behalf of the U.S. Department of War. This is a strategic initiative designed to lower barriers for entrepreneurs, researchers, and commercial companies that want to apply their technologies to national security needs. The hub provides an 'open front door' to Minnesota entities seeking to engage with the Department of War through educational programming and stakeholder gatherings.
• 3McoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. 3M is a major Minnesota-based multinational corporation engaged in technology and manufacturing, including defense-related products.
• BAE SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. BAE Systems is a global defense contractor with significant operations relevant to national security.
• Collins AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. Collins Aerospace provides aerospace and defense components and systems.
• General DynamicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. General Dynamics is a major global defense contractor.
• Leonardo DRScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. Leonardo DRS provides defense electronics and computing systems.
• University of MinnesotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. The University of Minnesota is a world-class research institution engaged in national security research, including through its National Security Research Institute (NSRI).
• Metro State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. Metro State University contributes cybersecurity expertise through Distinguished Professor Dr. Faisal Kaleem and the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute.
• Sandia National LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. Sandia National Laboratories is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that addresses national security challenges through science and technology.
• North WindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. North Wind provides operations and supply chain services across defense, aerospace, and industrial sectors. Deb Walock, VP of Minnesota Operations at North Wind, serves on the Board of Directors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mn-ns-eco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Minnesota National Security Ecosystem