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Homeland Security Startup Studio

Homeland Security Startup Studio 2022 Recruiting Kickoff

On Thursday, December 2, we’re kicking off recruiting for the upcoming HSSS 2022 cohort. Join us to learn more about the 2022 program and the federal innovation ecosystem. This event features a panel of experts, successful entrepreneurs from the HSSS 2021 cohort, and a live Q&A with DHS S&T and FedTech to discuss the program. Click here to register. 

How does the HSSS program work?

FedTech forms teams of entrepreneurs and matches them with promising federally funded technologies to assess their commercialization potential. Each team has two or three budding entrepreneurs who bring diverse expertise in technology, engineering, and business. The FedTech curriculum provides teams with entrepreneurial training and experiential learning with coaches and mentors. 

2022 Cohort

The next HSSS will run from January 2022 to July 2022. Entrepreneur participants are expected to devote ~20 hours a week (weekends and evenings) to the program. All teams take part in the first phase of the program, and some may progress to Phase II, based on a competitive process.

PHASE I

During phase I, program entrepreneurs are taught foundational basics and skill sets so teams can quickly assess potential use cases for their matched technology. During weekly breakout sessions, teams will practice pitching for mentors who will act as sounding boards. Entrepreneurs will participate in lectures on lean programming and spinout topics such as: fundraising, intellectual property, business models, and customer outreach. Participants also engage in customer discovery interviews to help identify the problem-solution fit for their technology.

PHASE II

Phase II participants will set up early-stage companies with pragmatic and ambitious company goals. Entrepreneur teams will be guided by program mentors on how to navigate crucial formation steps from pitching to licensing their technologies. The content of this phase will be customized for the team.

Who are we looking for?

HSSS is looking for diverse applicants who are ready to continue their entrepreneurship journey or take a step into the world of entrepreneurship. Most prior participants have been employed full-time over the course of this program but must be willing and able to commit to the workshops, team meetings and mentorship sessions of this program, which typically occur during the week on evenings and occasional weekends.

Technologists: A competitive technical applicant has deep technical experience in a technology vertical(s). Although not required, a relevant PhD is generally a plus for deep tech startups along with 5+ years of industry experience. This role is for a future chief technology officer or vice president of research and development. 

Business Experts: A competitive business applicant (non-technical) typically has experience in the business aspects of the vertical (i.e., business development, operations, marketing, fundraising, strategy). Although not required, an MBA or prior operating experience in a startup is preferred, along with 5+ years of experience. This role is for a future CEO, COO, CMO, or VP of Sales.

Career Shifters, Veterans, & Re-Entrants to the Workforce: Individuals who are looking to step out and explore new career pathways are encouraged to apply for the Startup Studio Program. 

Individuals or teams are welcome to apply.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 Homeland Security Startup Studio

The first step of the application process is to submit an application form (hsforms.com), after which FedTech will invite applicants to complete a video interview. Once written and video applications have been reviewed (approximately two to three weeks after submission), applicants will receive an email confirmation about progression to the next stage of the process. At this stage, more specific information about the program, dates, and logistics will be shared with applicants. Each cohort has its own set of unique curated technologies.

First-round interviews will occur shortly after receipt of applications, and the technology-specific final interview will take place approximately one month before the start of the program.  The graphic below illustrates the recruitment process.

A Look Back at the 2021 Cohort

In the inaugural HSSS ‘21 cohort, FedTech assessed over 450 technologies from federal labs and academia to identify 10 commercially promising technologies that align with homeland security missions. From there, 30 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in the two-phased program. In Phase I, 10 teams learned foundational entrepreneurial knowledge and skillsets to quickly assess potential use cases for their matched technologies. Phase I concluded with an internal pitch day that resulted in six teams progressing into Phase II, where they focused on forming early-stage companies to commercialize their technologies. 

Featuring a broad array of distinguished experts across various fields (81% of whom were women or people of color), five teams capped off Phase II by pitching their technologies to venture capitalists, homeland security experts, and other innovators at the HSSS ’21 Converge event. With technologies ranging from network security and machine learning to nighttime facial recognition alert systems, each team had 6 minutes to present their progress in forming a company and licensing their technology. 

Watch the Converge Event on YouTube to see the teams in action plus keynote remarks by the SOPDUSST. 

For more information, email: SandT.Innovation@hq.dhs.gov. To receive news and updates from S&T about our opportunities, please fill out the DHS Industry Outreach Form

For more information on S&T’s innovation programs and tools, visit: /science-and-technology/work-with-st.

Last Updated: 01/24/2023
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