HUSTLE DEFENSE ACCELERATOR
READY…SET…HUSTLE!
The HUSTLE (Helping Upstate Science and Technology Leaders and Entrepreneurs) Defense Accelerator Program is designed to empower tech startups pioneering advancements in dual use technology.
Through our comprehensive curriculum, participants gain invaluable knowledge and skills in business management, equipping them with the tools needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
Led by a team of seasoned professionals, our program offers tailored education and mentorship, providing insights into navigating government contracts, establishing strategic partnerships, and securing funding to fuel growth.
Join us as we pave the way for innovation, collaboration, and the delivery of trusted technologies to drive the American economy forward.
This program is sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory, New York State Empire State Development (ESD), and National Grid.
HUSTLE Defense Accelerator Alumni:
HUSTLE is Supported & Sponsored by:
HUSTLE Defense Accelerator
The HUSTLE Defense Accelerator is an elite and immersive accelerator for pre-seed and seed-stage tech startups pushing solutions with dual-use potential and the drive to elevate the United States’ national security and economic competitiveness.
HUSTLE Defense Accelerator graduates will…
- Know the defense enterprise as a customer.
- Know how, when, and where to make the perfect pitch.
- Know the people and players who will be your partners in delivering national security solutions.
- Know how to engage early-stage sources of capital to de-risk technologies and develop your team.
- Learn the ropes of startup success from world-class trainers, coaches and mentors.
HUSTLE Defense Accelerator cohort teams will be provided a unique opportunity to learn knowledge and skills to develop, market and grow their businesses and a special track focused on how to successfully work with the Department of War (DoW) and other government agencies.
Previous HUSTLE Cohorts:
HUSTLE Cohort 6
HUSTLE Cohort 6
HUSTLE Cohort 6 ran in January & February 2026 acting as a follow up program to the winners of the latest AFWERX Manufacturing Challenge. While the program was primarily virtual, the companies dove into programming that introduced them to working within the defense ecosystem and also included a trip to DC to learn about working with representatives on Capitol Hill.
InnoSys Inc.
InnoSys Technologies is an innovator in advanced electronic systems, specializing in the design and manufacturing of electronic devices, circuits, and subsystems. The company focuses on delivering high-performance, reliable, and efficient solutions while reducing size, weight, and production costs. Its technologies support demanding applications such as high-bandwidth communications, power-efficient systems, and operation in harsh or extreme environments.
Founded in 2000 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah, InnoSys brings expertise in advanced materials, microelectronics, MEMS, micro-machining, and 3D printing. The company also provides integrated manufacturing services including clean room fabrication, testing, assembly, and advanced packaging to support end-to-end production needs.
Endeavor Composites
Endeavor Composites is a materials innovation company focused on developing high-performance, low-cost, and zero-waste composite materials. The company specializes in transforming recycled and excess carbon fiber into advanced nonwoven composite fabrics that can be used to create stronger, lighter, and more sustainable industrial products.
Their technology supports a circular economy by repurposing post-industrial fiber waste that would otherwise go to landfills, turning it into value-added materials for manufacturing. Endeavor works with industries such as automotive, aerospace, marine, transportation, and industrial manufacturing, helping customers reduce costs while improving performance and sustainability.
Founded with a strong research background in advanced composites, the company emphasizes scientific innovation, scalable manufacturing, and practical applications that bring high-performance composite solutions from lab to market.
Laser Thermal
Laser Thermal is a precision instrumentation company that develops advanced tools for measuring thermal properties of materials. Founded out of academic research at the University of Virginia, the company specializes in innovative, non-contact thermal metrology systems that allow researchers and engineers to measure thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and heat capacity across a wide range of materials and length scales.
Their technologies—including platforms like NTM, TOPS, and FASTR—enable fast, accurate, and high-throughput testing from nanoscale thin films to bulk materials. Laser Thermal serves industries such as semiconductors, power electronics, aerospace, and advanced materials, helping improve material performance and thermal design through more precise measurement tools.
The company is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and combines scientific research expertise with commercial instrumentation development to advance modern thermal analysis capabilities.
Origami Space
Origami Space is a space technology company developing advanced deployable satellite systems designed to “fold” large capabilities into compact launch configurations. Using generative design and machine learning, the company creates innovative architectures for RF and LiDAR payloads that can be deployed in orbit to support communications, intelligence, and space domain awareness.
Their systems are built to enable satellites that are smarter, more agile, and more resilient, with applications ranging from Earth observation and digital twin modeling to climate science and next-generation communications across cislunar space. Origami Space focuses on scalable, production-ready satellite designs intended for both commercial and national security use cases.
Headquartered in Berthoud, Colorado, the company is developing technologies that emphasize adaptability in the electromagnetic environment and rapid-response capabilities for modern space missions.
Shepra
Shepra is a technology company focused on developing autonomous systems and artificial intelligence solutions that enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness in complex environments. The company specializes in human-machine teaming technologies designed to support mission planning, situational awareness, and real-time operational support across defense, security, and commercial applications.
By combining AI-driven analytics, autonomy, and advanced software development, Shepra aims to help organizations improve efficiency, adaptability, and resilience in rapidly changing operational conditions. Their work emphasizes scalable, mission-focused solutions that integrate emerging technologies with practical user needs.
Based in the United States, Shepra collaborates with government, defense, and industry partners to advance next-generation autonomous and intelligent system capabilities.
ARRIS
ARRIS is an advanced manufacturing company that develops high-performance composite structures using proprietary continuous fiber technologies and automated production methods. The company combines advanced materials engineering with additive manufacturing-inspired processes to create lightweight, strong, and scalable composite components for industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer products, and industrial applications.
ARRIS specializes in producing parts that integrate the strength and stiffness of continuous carbon fiber with the efficiency and flexibility of modern manufacturing techniques. Their technology enables the production of complex geometries with reduced waste, improved performance, and lower manufacturing costs compared to traditional composite fabrication methods.
Headquartered in Berkeley, California, ARRIS focuses on delivering next-generation composite solutions that improve durability, efficiency, and sustainability while supporting high-volume production needs.
Circle Optics, Inc.
Circle Optics is an imaging technology company specializing in advanced stitch-free 360-degree camera systems for aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, and immersive technology applications. The company develops patented optical technologies that eliminate parallax distortion and stitching issues, enabling seamless real-time panoramic imaging and improved situational awareness in high-performance environments.
Founded in Rochester, New York, Circle Optics combines expertise in optics, digital imaging, hardware engineering, and system integration to create next-generation imaging solutions for security, aerospace safety, robotics, mapping, and live-streaming applications. The company’s engineering team collectively holds more than 200 patents and collaborates with government, research, and industry partners to advance panoramic imaging technologies.
Circle Optics focuses on delivering high-fidelity 360° imaging systems that provide accurate, low-latency visual intelligence for demanding operational environments while supporting the future of autonomous systems, immersive experiences, and advanced situational awareness technologies.
HUSTLE Cohort 5
HUSTLE Cohort 5
HUSTLE Cohort 5 ran in March & April 2026, bringing in 5 startups to tackle the AFRL Problem Statment of AI in C2 and C2 of AI. Over the 8-week program, the companies got a crash course into the defense ecosystem, took a trip to DC to connect with their local representatives, and more. The whole program concluded with Pitch Day where each startup pitched to a panel of 5 judges to earn fudning from a pool of $550,000. The final results are as follows:
- AugSense (Aurora, Colorado): $155,000
- Vigilare AI (Syracuse, New York): $150,000
- QuantumAstra (Frisco, Texas): $125,000
- Archangel Response Corp. (Syracuse, New York): $75,000
- Full Spectrum Research (Taberg, New York): $45,000
AugSense
Meet Anant Singh, Co-Founder of AugSense, a startup building low-power, low-bandwidth edge AI compute applications for denied areas. Their technology enables real-time decision-making at the edge, where traditional connectivity and power constraints make it difficult to operate effectively.
At the heart of AugSense’s work is a simple but critical problem: how do you get actionable intelligence to the warfighter when the network is degraded, jammed, or unavailable? Their edge AI engine tackles this through a combination of extreme data compression, ultra-low-power neuromorphic processing, and sensor fusion. This allows unmanned systems, ground vehicles, and soldiers to operate with full situational awareness even in the most contested environments.
Anant’s journey to HUSTLE began after a chance connection with Griffiss Institute CEO Heather Hage at a defense event in Los Angeles.
“After meeting with Heather, I looked more into HUSTLE to understand the value and impact of the program. What really stood out was the access to AFRL that it provided and the chance to work on real problems directly relevant to the Air Force.”
Vigilare AI
Meet Angelo Niforatos, Co-Founder of Vigilare AI, a startup building an AI-powered copilot that helps drone operators with real-time, suggested courses of action that are executable with the click of a button. Their platform uses natural language control to make drone operations intuitive and accessible across virtually any system.
To further scale Vigilare and expand his own expertise, Angelo discovered HUSTLE during his MBA at Syracuse University. Now, as part of HUSTLE’s Cohort 5, he’s already feeling the program’s benefits:
“HUSTLE is extremely educational, especially for engineers, helping you step away from technical jargon and gain the confidence to share your vision with anyone, anywhere.”
QuantumAstra
Meet Lalitha Nallamothula, Founder and CEO of QuantumAstra, a startup developing next-generation quantum sensors that bridge the gap between lab-grade precision and real-world deployability. Their proprietary technology delivers enhanced measurements in form factors small enough for satellites, rugged enough for defense missions, and practical for commercial energy applications.
Lalitha’s journey to HUSTLE began with a recommendation from a friend during her time in the Duality Accelerator, a program run in partnership with the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory. While at Duality, she was guided by quantum experts from the Chicago Quantum Exchange, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and other mentors with deep business, technical, and domain expertise. This experience taught her how to connect cutting-edge quantum research with real-world problems, laying the foundation for the next step in her journey at HUSTLE.
“What I wanted to do when I built this company was not just raise funds and put a product in the market that people may or may not buy. It was about finding a true problem, solving it, and building technology that really matters. That led me from Duality to HUSTLE, the next step in building technology that can make a real difference for military and defense missions.”
Archangel Response Corp.
Meet Bradford Morse, Co-Founder, and Sean M. Smith, Lead Engineer, of Archangel Response Corp., a U.S. based defense AI company delivering mission-critical edge intelligence for denied and disconnected environments.
Archangel has been selected by the U.S. Army to productize AI for training at the point of use, enabling soldiers to operate complex systems without connectivity, external support, or delay.
“We are solving a critical gap; ensuring warfighters can access and apply the right technical knowledge in seconds, even with no internet, no reach back, and under pressure.” said Bradford Morse.
Through its partnership with Archangel Autonomy, a GENIUS NY winner, Archangel also brings access to world-leading Visual Navigation, enabling drones to navigate and operate in GPS-denied environments.
Full Spectrum Research
Meet Bryant Wysocki, CEO, and Yat Fu, COO of Full Spectrum Research, a startup turning complex data into intuitive visualizations for human-machine teaming. Their mission is to help warfighters and analysts better interpret and act on data, enabling faster, more informed decisions in high-stakes environments.
Both founders left government positions within the Air Force Research Laboratory last year to build the company.
“Through our roles in government, we gained deep insight into R&D and the acquisition process,” said Bryant. “And with my military experience, I’ve seen the operational side as well. That perspective helped us recognize a gap we were well positioned to address.”
“When the timing felt right, we decided to build something we truly believed in,” added Yat, “something that could meaningfully support the warfighter.”
HUSTLE Cohort 4
HUSTLE Cohort 4
A joint accelerator powered by Griffiss Institute and Southwest Mission Acceleration Center.
The first HUSTLE cohort of 2025 ran from June to August, bringing dual-use technology teams through a dynamic hybrid accelerator led by the Griffiss Institute in collaboration with the Southwest Mission Accelerator Center. The program combined virtual sessions with immersive in-person weeks in Rome, NY; Washington, DC; and Playas, NM, where teams engaged with AFRL/RI, met with federal leaders on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon, and concluded with field demonstrations for Department of War stakeholders.
Icarus
Icarus is redefining airborne persistence with Apollo, an autonomous, balloon-launched, solar-powered glider that delivers days of ISR and resilient communications at 70,000 feet. Filling the gap between drones and satellites, Apollo is low-cost, runway-independent, and scalable—creating a persistent, unpredictable sensing layer that’s hard to target, easy to replace, and built for contested environments. Founded in 2023 in a farmhouse barn on the belief that satellites are too slow, too costly, and too rigid for the future of conflict, Icarus proved the vision in 2024 when Apollo first flew: not hype, but hardware in the sky. Today, Icarus is scaling the mission to deliver the platforms the future demands.
latakoo
Founded by veteran journalists Paul Adrian and Jade Kurian, latakoo was born in 2010 from a simple, yet powerful idea: make file transfer and media workflows faster, easier and secure.
Paul and Jade have extensive careers in journalism over decades, tackling everything from breaking news to deep investigative stories. Throughout their reporting, they consistently faced a significant obstacle: how to swiftly and reliably transfer large video files, especially from locations with poor internet access. This challenge inspired them to create latakoo, named after the melodious lark bird as a tribute to their daughter, Lark. Their goal was to give journalists and content creators more time to tell impactful stories without technical barriers. Their vision led to the creation of latakoo, a cloud-based media asset manager designed by journalists, for journalists.
LiveLink Aerospace
LiveLink Aerospace is a privately owned British company located just outside the historic port city of Portsmouth on the picturesque south coast of the United Kingdom. The company has established itself as a prominent leader in developing innovative and inventive methods for addressing intricate challenges in both hardware and software, offering solutions that bolster the security and economic growth of the aviation sector. Their team of experts possess a diverse skill set, ranging from electronic and electrical engineering, specialist system manufacturing, high-speed onboard AI, UAV airframe design and testing, scalable, low-cost edge computing capabilities, algorithm design, and cross-domain consultancy.
They specialize in developing cutting-edge systems tailored to the evolving demands of the aviation industry. These include their Air Intelligence System (AIS), an innovative and highly advanced air surveillance tool that provides exceptional solutions for securing airspace, and their ‘optionally crewed aircraft’, which offers long-loiter, high-payload ISR mission capabilities while supporting next-gen interception.
NanTenna
Innovators Taking new design approaches to antennas
Established in 2020, NanTenna began with a bold vision: to redefine military satellite communications (SATCOM) with groundbreaking antenna technology. Backed by an AFWERX Phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant, NanTenna quickly advanced from concept to commercialization, launching our first product in May 2022. Today, NanTenna stands as a global leader in high-performance, low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) antennas, renowned for delivering unparalleled efficiency and reliability across diverse operational environments. Trusted by defense and industry leaders worldwide, they remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and reshaping the future of SATCOM.
Reveal Technology
Reveal Technology, Inc. is the next-generation defense technology platform, delivering a suite of AI products that generate critical intelligence, autonomy, and decision dominance for tactical military and public safety users.
Reveal’s growing suite of products enables rapid generation of actionable intelligence from mobile, edge, and other sensing technologies. The mission is to provide decision advantage for decentralized operations by deploying AI and other software tools into the tactical echelon. The result is rapid GEOINT, autonomy, and human identity analytics without requiring network connectivity, making Reveal the only solution for denied area operations.
HUSTLE Cohort 3
HUSTLE Cohort 3 (2024)
Companies are grouped by EMERGE (first 5) and ELEVATE (last 3). The order of participants within those groups does not have any inherent meaning.
Triarii AI
Represented by: Sean M. Smith, Founder & CEO
Who We Are: At Triarii AI, our vision is to enhance the resilience of our economy and infrastructure by responding to the U.S. National Cybersecurity Strategy’s call for a stronger cybersecurity workforce. We address this challenge by developing advanced, domain-specific AI to augment the capabilities of our limited human resources, focusing on tasks like penetration testing and vulnerability analysis that no other AI can handle.
Aronetics
Represented by: John Aron, Founder and CEO
Who We Are: In the era where actors have become more common and sophisticated, bugs present a security loophole that create catastrophic consequences and your data is at risk of exploitation. Even if we imagine a world where 99% of cyber intrusions are fully prevented, this does not address the growing issue of malicious actors already inside a system. Aronetics® built Thor™, a technology that closes gaps utilizing Zero Trust ideologies to provide precise tamper-proof assurance to take action against tomorrow’s unknown threats so you can have operational truth of your computing device today.
Artificial Brain
Represented by: Jitesh Lalwani, Founder & CEO
Who We Are: Artificial Brain USA is a quantum computing company specializing in real-time software for extremely complex optimization problems in Aerospace, Defense, and Energy, which are beyond the reach of current classical computing alone. With its flagship software ‘Planck’, Artificial Brain’s customers are empowered to solve previously unsolvable challenges, leverage greater access to their data, and unlock hidden operational and revenue potential.
Capy News
Represented by: Dean Korsak, Founder
Who We Are: The mission of Capy News is to empower people with high quality information to stabilize society and prevent civil war, at home and abroad.
Marhold Space Systems
Represented by: Frank Marin, Founder & CEO
Who We Are: We are dedicated to Preserving Humanity’s Future by providing space-based services aimed at establishing and nurturing a sustainable circular economy. Our vision is to aspire to become the foremost and dependable provider of essential in-space services, catering to the diverse needs of the space environment.
LeVanta Tech
Represented by: Kelly Echols, CEO
Who We Are: LeVanta Tech started in the offshore wind industry. We recognized a significant need for mobile real-time maritime data across industry sectors. We pivoted to a defense first, commercial second business strategy. LeVanta Tech is developing the HALIA, a low-cost, high-volume, attritable sea-launched aerial drone. The HALIA enables a multi-domain, globally-connected, maritime mesh network across autonomous systems.
Archangel Autonomy
Represented by: Bradford Morose, Vice President
Who We Are: Our AI copilot technology transforms autonomous machines into highly capable teammates, ideal for protecting people, assets, and the environment in remote or challenging areas. By enhancing the capabilities of autonomous machines, we’re ultimately making the world a safer and more secure place for everyone.
Drone City
Represented by: Mehdi Salehi, CEO
Who We Are: Drone City is developing AI-powered swarm systems for logistics, aiming to expand human capabilities through advanced swarm technology.
Interested in participating or learning more? Contact us by emailing hustle@griffissinstitute.org
HUSTLE FAQ
What is the HUSTLE Defense Accelerator?
The HUSTLE Defense Accelerator is an elite and immersive academy for pre-seed and seed-stage startups pushing dual use solutions with the potential to elevate the United States’ national security and economic competitiveness.
How do I apply for the HUSTLE Defense Accelerator?
HUSTLE cohorts run rutinely throughout the calendar year. Follow this page to stay up to date with the latest applications as they go live.
What kind of startups are eligible for the HUSTLE Defense Accelerator?
The HUSTLE Defense Accelerator is open to all pre-seed and seed-stage startups. We strongly prefer a startup company with at least two (2) teammates: one (1) with a technical background, and one (1) with a business background, and that all team members exhibit grit, tenacity, HUSTLE, and focus on National Security Challenges associated with the technology areas specified in the problem set which could include AI/ML, cyber, quantum and Uncrewed Autonomous Systems (UAS) solutions. Based on our experience, we find a combination of both technical and business expertise provides the startup the best chance to succeed, though this is not a hard requirement.
Do I have to be a US citizen or a US person to apply?
Depending on the funding source for each cohort, restrictions may be in place for pariticpants regarding their nationality and/or citizenship.
Do I have to live in New York to apply?
No, but depending on the cohort funding there may be restrictions regarding residency.
Who selects participants?
The HUSTLE Defense Accelerator engages its administration team, partners, and stakeholders to review applications and select participants.
How many participants will be selected for the HUSTLE Defense Accelerator?
Cohort sizes are dependent on funding source and partners/collaborators.
How much equity do I need to give?
As part of your participation in HUSTLE Defense Accelerator, the Company will grant to Griffiss Institute (GI) a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (the “SAFE”), in the form attached hereto, under which $24,500 in-kind programming, plus $7,500 per founder (maximum $15,000) (the agreed-upon value of the services provided to you by GI under this agreement), and total prize money (if won), will be convertible into equity of the Company as outlined in the SAFE. You further acknowledge that the Company must be organized as either a corporation or limited liability company to facilitate this form of equity grant. At GI’s option to exercise the Pro Rata Agreement, the SAFE may convert to an equity demand at a future time.
What’s my commitment to the program?
Commitment to the program depends entirely on the individual cohort structure. See most recent application for more information.
Will I have to find housing?
For Rome-based, in-person cohorts, companies will be required to participate on-site for the duration of the program. Housing will be paid for by HUSTLE so that out-of-pocket expenses for founders will be minimized.
Can my company be a sponsor?
Yes! Corporate sponsorship is welcomed to support our commercialization activities and program growth. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact us at hustle@griffissinstitute.org.
