National Security Innovation Network

Mission— National Security Innovation Network

DIU will execute a range of programs and activities to enhance DoD’s access to technologists and entrepreneurs for the purposes of improving its talent pool, enable collaboration with universities and the early-stage venture community to develop novel concepts and solutions for end-user problems and requirements, and prototype and test new technologies to place them on the path to becoming programs of record or integrated with existing platforms.

Mission— National Security Innovation Network

DIU will execute a range of programs and activities to enhance DoD’s access to technologists and entrepreneurs for the purposes of improving its talent pool, enable collaboration with universities and the early-stage venture community to develop novel concepts and solutions for end-user problems and requirements, and prototype and test new technologies to place them on the path to becoming programs of record or integrated with existing platforms.

Mission— National Security Innovation Network

This program supports the Department’s initiatives to Build a Sustainable and Long-Term Advantage and Build a Resilient Joint Force and Defense Ecosystem. The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) activities build networks of innovators that generate new solutions to national security problems. On April 4, 2023, the Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum re-aligning the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Director as a direct report to the Secretary of Defense. In July 2023, the DIU Director announced a reorganization that integrated NSIN into DIU to maximize strategic impact. The Regional Network Team is responsible for building the networks of innovators. The physical network is spread across regions spanning the Continental United States and reaching out to Hawaii and Alaska. Regional engagement activities are led by Regional Directors supported by additional Regional Network Team members able to reach into critical venture innovation centers throughout the country including: Boston, MA; New York City, NY; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Seattle, WA; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA. Additional members of the Regional Network Team currently include Regional Engagement Principals (REPs) that are embedded in - and have responsibility for - critical innovation ecosystems within each region including universities and other tech hubs. This team will be integrated with DIU’s commercial and regional engagement efforts to reduce duplication, strengthen national outreach, and foster cross-pollination of activities across the technological maturity spectrum. DIU will strengthen pathways for talent to serve and facilitate access to early-stage companies to engage with the Department through the following programmatic portfolios: The Talent Portfolio provides opportunity for individuals outside the traditional federal talent pipeline to serve our country and solve real-world national security, technology, and policy challenges. By bridging the gap between students, academics, and entrepreneurs to engage with the Department of Defense (DoD), DIU is helping build a deep bench of diverse, qualified civilian and military workers to preserve our competitive emerging technology advantage with resilient personnel trained for the unpredictable global operating environment. The Venture Portfolio develops and executes programs and services to facilitate access to emerging technology as it engages the talents of fast-moving innovators and non-traditional problem-solvers. The Venture Portfolio works directly with dual-use early-stage ventures emerging from both the academic and venture community who have solutions that address DoD problems. The Venture Portfolio creates advantage for defense innovation through customer discovery and solution adoption. This programmatic activity is supported through other enterprise functions that measure programmatic impact, support follow-on activities by alumni, and help share broader information about the network.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)