Small businesses: Get ready for defense innovation through the new Rapid Innovation Accelerator

By Riley Kaminer

Defense is big business: 3% of the U.S. GDP, around $746 billion annually – a figure that is expected to surpass $1 trillion (yes, with a T) by 2033.

How can small businesses get a slice of this pie? The innovators at Miami-based Lab22c have an idea.

Well, more than an idea – it’s a solution they have devised in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs and MoveAmerica, a non-profit focused on solving the critical emerging technology challenges facing our industrial base and supply chain.

The three organizations are coming together to launch the Rapid Innovation Accelerator (RIA) in Miami. This initiative aims to empower local small businesses to step into the competitive defense sector, breathing new life into the city’s economy while strengthening the nation’s security.

At the heart of this initiative is Lab22c’s commitment to forging connections between Miami’s vibrant tech startups and the defense industry’s vast, often daunting landscape.

“The Rapid Innovation Accelerator is a transformative initiative for Miami’s business and tech community,” Saif Ishoof, the CEO of Lab22c, shared in a statement. Through the accelerator, Ishoof envisions an opportunity for Miami-based startups to contribute directly to the country’s defense capabilities.

The accelerator, backed by the DoD’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and the Mentor-Protégé Program, has a clear focus: connect small businesses with defense contracts and offer them the mentorship, guidance, and funding necessary to succeed. Lab22c, in partnership with the DoD and MoveAmerica, is positioning Miami as a critical hub for the kinds of innovations that traditionally wouldn’t see the light of day in defense.

According to Ishoof, “We are creating pathways for local businesses to contribute to national defense while fueling economic growth in South Florida.” Lab22c’s role in the program is not just as a facilitator but as a mentor and connector, guiding businesses through the often-intimidating federal procurement process with strategic expertise.

For many of Miami’s small- and medium-sized tech businesses, the path to success can be a winding one. The RIA aims to demystify this journey by providing resources like the APEX Accelerators, which help businesses navigate complex procurement requirements and connect with larger defense contractors.

Earl Wyatt, MoveAmerica’s Executive Director, highlighted the initiative’s potential: “By connecting small businesses with these invaluable resources, we are not only empowering them to grow but also ensuring our defense supply chain remains strong and diverse.” Wyatt sees RIA-Miami as a cornerstone of America’s innovation strategy, one that ensures a resilient supply chain while nurturing the future of Miami’s tech sector.

Beyond defense, the Rapid Innovation Accelerator is injecting Miami’s tech ecosystem with opportunities for growth across advanced industries like aerospace, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

“The RIA is a fantastic asset not only for the Miami technology innovation ecosystem but also for Florida’s small businesses across the state,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. Through partnerships with institutions like FIU and Miami Dade College, the accelerator fosters mentorship, networking, and collaboration with defense contractors, giving local businesses a rare chance to break into a notoriously competitive industry.

Lab22c’s involvement extends further with the support of Purple Horizons, a local emerging tech organization led by Gianni D’Alerta and Ralph Quintero.

When it comes to defense, the stakes are high – not just for Miami, but for the broader push to maintain U.S. technological dominance. It’s possible that the work being done today through the RIA will set the stage for a future where Miami’s tech startups play an integral role in shaping the world of tomorrow.

Pictured at top of post: Earl Wyatt (Executive Director of MoveAmerica) and Saif Ishoof (CEO of Lab22c).

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Riley Kaminer

I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.