Strikewerx

What Strikewerx does

Strikewerx is the dedicated innovation hub for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), established in 2020 and operated by the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), a 501c3 nonprofit in Bossier City, Louisiana, under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist. Its function is to act as an intermediary that connects government, industry, and academia to solve AFGSC's hardest operational problems, primarily through structured programs including 5-day Design Sprints, 6-month Challenge Events, the annual Strike Tank pitch competition, Spark Cells and Squadron Innovation Funds for Airmen, the Striker Airmen Coder program, and the Global Strike National Security Fellowship Program with regional universities. Since 2020 it has delivered 78 solutions to the Air Force, hosted 164+ events with 3,600+ attendees, and reported more than $233 million in estimated Air Force savings.

Its underlying technology footprint spans AR/VR training systems, 3D printing and prototyping, modeling and simulation, data analytics, AI/ML, DevSecOps, cybersecurity, and cloud services. Notable outputs include the SAMURAI mobile counter-UAS system (led by Honeywell through a challenge with 22 entrants), Transhield B-52 Engine Pod Covers scaled at Minot AFB with approximately $5.66M in potential damage savings, TE Jack Stand Slot Covers scaled across 450 ICBM launch facilities, the EARL air refueling simulator with Specular Theory (potential $5.8M annual savings), the Aurora ICBM scheduling tool modernizing all three AFGSC missile wings, the IoT/AI PicoBadge wearable for aircrew alerting, and the POLARIS HF communications node installed with AFRL. In late 2024 the organization added a ~2,000 sq ft Innovation Lab with AR/VR headsets, 3D printers, and a prototyping makerspace.

The business model is not commercial. STRIKEWERX does not sell products or services and does not disclose pricing; revenue mechanics flow through the CIC's PIA with AFGSC and associated program funding (including support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for the ROTC Cadet Training Success Program). Customers are overwhelmingly AFGSC and its bases (Barksdale, Minot, Malmstrom, F.E. Warren, Whiteman), with secondary defense industry partners (Honeywell, GS Engineering, AEXA Aerospace, King Crow Studios, Specular Theory, Transhield, Stottler Henke, IoT/AI, Celina Tent, Praeses) and academic partners (Louisiana Tech, LSU Shreveport, BPCC, Grambling State). The go-to-market is event- and community-driven: Airmen submit ideas via Spark Cells and Project Champion submissions, which are translated into challenge events, sprints, or software development engagements that culminate in fielded prototypes.

Name

Strikewerx

Legal name

Strikewerx

Website

https://strikewerx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

STRIKEWERX is the AFGSC-dedicated innovation hub, operated by the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana, connecting government, industry, and academia through design sprints, challenge events, the Strike Tank competition, and software development to deliver solutions to Air Force Global Strike Command warfighters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Innovation Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), National Security (928110)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Precision Strike & Fire Control Systems (IMABAOAE), Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE)

Keywords

• Defense innovation services
• Government technology partnership
• Rapid prototyping solutions
• Military research collaboration
• Design sprint facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bossier City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA): STRIKEWERX operates under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement with AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist through the Cyber Innovation Center, facilitating engagement with academia and industry on behalf of government to accelerate tech transfer and licensing.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

STRIKEWERX is the innovation hub for Air Force Global Strike Command, operating under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement with AFGSC via the Cyber Innovation Center. It connects government, industry, and academia through 5-day Design Sprints, 6-month Challenge Events, the annual Strike Tank pitch competition, fellowship and Striker Airmen Coder programs, and on-site Software Development and Innovation Lab services to rapidly prototype and field solutions for B-52 and ICBM warfighter challenges.

Product overview

Strikewerx is an innovation hub operated under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Office of the Chief Scientist, located at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana. Rather than a commercial product company, Strikewerx serves as a facilitation organization that connects government, industry, and academia to solve Air Force challenges through methods including Design Sprints, Challenge Events, Strike Tank competitions, Software Development, and Innovation Lab services. Key programs include the Striker Airmen Coder (SAC) program for coding training, the Global Strike National Security Fellowship Program, and various prototype development projects for B-52 aircraft and ICBM systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design Sprints
• Challenge Events
• Strike Tank Annual Pitch Competition
• Innovation Lab Services On-site prototyping, AR/VR simulation, 3D printing, modeling and simulation, and design space services delivered through the 2,000+ square-foot STRIKEWERX Innovation Lab at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana. Equipped with AR/VR headsets, modeling computers, 3D printers, a handheld 3D scanner, makerspace, and teleconferencing-enabled design space.
• Striker Airmen Coder (SAC) Program A coding, app development, data analysis, and software solutions training program for Airmen, with curriculum provided by Bossier Parish Community College and senior developer direction from Ruby Shore Software.
• Global Strike National Security Fellowship Program A fellowship program that places Louisiana Tech graduate and undergraduate students into AFGSC innovation projects, delivered in coordination with the Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) and Louisiana Tech Applied Research Corporation (LTARC).
• Spark Cells and Squadron Innovation Funds Grassroots innovation submission mechanisms that allow AFGSC Airmen to submit ideas for STRIKEWERX evaluation, expert matchmaking, acquisition coaching, and engineering support.
• Software Development Services Software engineering and data engineering services supporting AFGSC projects such as the Aurora ICBM management tool, with capabilities in DevSecOps, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI/ML.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, flagship and minor.

• Cyber Innovation Center (CIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC is the parent organization hosting STRIKEWERX on the first floor of its facility. As a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, CIC serves as the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park. The PIA agreement with AFGSC allows CIC to engage academia and industry on behalf of government.
• Louisiana Tech UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Global Strike National Security Fellowship Program, Louisiana Tech provides graduate and undergraduate students who work on AFGSC innovation projects. Also partners through Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) and Louisiana Tech Applied Research Corporation (LTARC).
• Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLSUS Cyber Collaboratory provides hardware, advanced modeling, 3D printing, software and simulation expertise for STRIKEWERX design sprints and projects.
• Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPCC provides curriculum for the Striker Airmen Coder program, training Airmen in coding, app development, data analysis, and software solutions.
• HoneywellflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoneywell developed the SAMURAI (Stationary and Mobile UAS Reveal and Intercept) mobile counter-UAS system combining kinetic interceptors, detection technology, and electronic warfare. Selected from 22 entities through STRIKEWERX's Mobile C-sUAS Swarming Defeat Challenge.
• GS EngineeringsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGS Engineering contracted to redesign the B-52 drag parachute stand to be more durable, deployable, and versatile with reduced shipping footprint and assembly time.
• AEXA AerospacesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEXA Aerospace collaborated with STRIKEWERX to create the modernized Electronic Warfare Pressurizing Test Set (EWPTS) for B-52 aircraft defense systems testing.
• Celina Tent, Inc.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelina Tent contracted to develop a custom inflatable shelter protecting ICBM missile maintainers from extreme weather while reducing maintenance time by 50%.
• King Crow StudiossecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected to develop VR software for training command post personnel on set-up and operation at unprepared alternate locations for Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications.
• Specular TheorysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to refine the Experiential Air Refueling Lightweight (EARL) simulator for B-52 Stratofortress aircrew air refueling training, potentially saving $5.8 million annually.
• Stottler Henke AssociatessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted to refine the Aurora ICBM management tool for scheduling modernization across all three AFGSC missile wings.
• IoT/AIflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT/AI (Silicon Valley and Austin, Texas) developing the PicoBadge wearable sensor technology for aircrew alerting, funded by Office of Undersecretary of Defense Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund.
• TranshieldsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Pod Covers for B-52 engines to prevent ice buildup, resulting in $1.2M funding and $5.66M in potential damage savings.
• PraesesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with STRIKEWERX to modernize combat preparation processes for bombers.
• Ruby Shore SoftwaresecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides senior developers to direct the Striker Airmen Coder program participants during software development projects.
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRL Information Directorate partnered to install POLARIS HF communications node at CIC to improve High Frequency antenna systems for AFGSC.
• Blue Halo, Leonardo DRS, Pierce Aerospace, Silent Sentinel, Walaris, Rocky Research, VersaTOLsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEssential equipment providers contributing to the SAMURAI counter-UAS system alongside Honeywell.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• In-Q-Tel: Not-for-profit strategic investor that identifies and adapts commercial technology for the U.S. intelligence community. Comparable nonprofit structure and government technology-bridging mission, though focused on investment rather than challenge events.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): DoD organization that accelerates adoption of commercial technology across the military. DIU operates at a broader DoD-wide scale and uses prototype contracts rather than the PIA-facilitated model, but addresses the same challenge of connecting government needs to commercial/innovative solutions.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Major defense and intelligence consulting firm with deep AFGSC, nuclear enterprise, and digital transformation practice areas. Competes for adjacent federal innovation services contracts and serves many of the same Air Force mission areas, though at much larger commercial scale.
• FedTech: Federal innovation hub that runs programs connecting government agencies with commercial technology through R&D partnerships and accelerator-style engagements. Operates adjacent to STRIKEWERX in the federal innovation intermediary space with broader federal civilian agency reach.

Direct peers

• NavalX: U.S. Navy's innovation network of hubs that facilitate rapid problem-solving across Navy commands via Tech Bridges, sprints, and challenge events. Comparable service-level innovation intermediary structure.
• DEFENSEWERX: A nonprofit defense innovation intermediary that operates Partnership Intermediary Agreements with multiple DoD commands, hosting innovation challenges and technology scouting events. Directly comparable operating model to STRIKEWERX but serves multiple commands rather than being anchored to a single MAJCOM.
• National Security Innovation Network (NSIN): DoD program office that builds networks of innovators across academia, industry, and government to address national security problems. Comparable in mission, population served, and use of university partnership programs and challenge events.
• SOFWERX: USSOCOM's innovation hub in Tampa that connects special operations with industry and academia through design sprints, challenges, and prototyping events. Directly analogous command-specific innovation intermediary model, though focused on special operations rather than strategic deterrence.
• AFWERX: The U.S. Air Force's flagship innovation arm operating challenge events, Spark Cells, and Prime/Air Force collaboration programs. AFWERX is the closest direct peer — both operate government-academia-industry facilitation models with PIA-style agreements, just at much larger Air Force-wide scale rather than limited to AFGSC.
• Cyber Innovation Center (CIC): STRIKEWERX's parent organization — a 501c3 nonprofit anchored at the National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City, LA. CIC operates as the legal/operational vehicle for the PIA with AFGSC and runs adjacent federal innovation programs, making it the closest organizational peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user140416280
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/strikewerx

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 Strikewerx