Bridging innovation and national security

Great technology deserves to reach the people who need it most. Whether you're a commercial company with dual-use technology or an established defense contractor looking to expand within the space, we'll help you find the right strategy to get your technology to warfighters.

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Our Mission

AI, autonomous systems, and new technologies are rapidly changing the nature of modern warfare. From low-cost drones to AI applications, the technologies reshaping the battlefield are increasingly coming from the commercial sector. The DoD is investing heavily to ensure the military's readiness, accelerating this transformation by leveraging America's key advantage: its innovative startup ecosystem.

Clipper Defense plays a key role in facilitating this transformation. We connect defense leaders driving AI and autonomy adoption with startups building solutions in artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technology.

Why Clipper Defense?

We fast-track your technology to the warfighter by:

Providing strategic go-to-market advisory for Defense

Winning “Tradewinds Awardable Status” for your solution

Connecting you with DoD decision-makers

Positioning your solution for DoD requirements

Creating defense-ready marketing materials

Getting real feedback from end users

Our Impact

Our Team

We are experts from the AI startup community and AI programs within the Department of Defense.

What Is The Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace?

The Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace is the CDAO’s enablement environment for technological innovation. It’s a digital repository of post-competition, readily-awardable pitch videos, which address the Government’s greatest challenges in the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), digital, and data analytics space.

  • The Marketplace is the fastest way to market technology solutions to eager Government buyers.

  • The Marketplace is a virtual storefront where they can shop for innovative solutions to pressing problems and easily procure those solutions through rapid acquisition pathways.

Our Step-by-Step Process

  • Vetting

    Clipper Defense evaluates your technology.

  • Agreement

    Your company signs an exclusive reseller agreement with Clipper Defense for the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace (TSM).

  • Kickoff

    Clipper Defense assigns a Mission Manager experienced in DoD acquisitions and schedules a kickoff.

  • Script and Media

    Your team provides technical documents and marketing materials to Clipper Defense; we create a video and proposal to submit on the TSM.

  • Win Tradewinds Awardable Status

    Your solution populates TSM and becomes available to government buyers.

  • Generating Demand

    Clipper Defense leverages it’s network of DoD stakeholders and introduces your product as a solution for their initiatives.

  • Finalizing Contract

    Clipper Defense works with CDAO teams to finalize contracting on your behalf.

  • Delivery

    Parties work in tandem to deliver your products to the government customer.

Contracting Vehicles Gained with Tradewinds Awardable Status

Get in touch.

Tell us about your AI or emerging technology solution and we’ll reach out.