Miles Jamison
SRI International has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as its Silicon Valley-based Commercial Accelerator to boost the commercialization of vital technologies in their early stages.
The non-profit institute said Wednesday it will be one of five commercial accelerators across the country tasked with expediting the transition of technologies by DARPA-funded companies from the lab to real-world applications. SRI will provide support to accelerate the development and production of technologies critical to national and economic security while considering the needs of the Department of Defense and commercial markets.
The strategic partnership is also intended to safeguard U.S. technologies from external threats and influences and to ensure they are readily accessible to the nation and its allies.
SRI will collaborate with Newlab, a global venture for critical technology startups, and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation to form a commercial accelerator team tasked with helping companies develop their technology. The team will be composed of individuals with the technical and entrepreneurial know-how needed to turn the technologies into high-value products and services and help maximize their national, economic and societal impact.
SRI CEO David Parekh said, “This strategic partnership with DARPA reaffirms SRI’s commitment to advancing technology that not only meets today’s critical challenges but also drives economic growth.”
