Name: From Startup to Strategic Partner: Building a Business in the Defense Ecosystem
Start: 2026-08-27T08:00:00.000-06:00
End: 2026-08-27T09:00:00.000-06:00
Location: Exponential Impact

Southern Colorado Startup Week (August 24–28) brings entrepreneurs, innovators, and community together in Colorado Springs, Florence, and Penrose.

SoCo Startup Week 2026

🚀 From Startup to Strategic Partner: Building a Business in the Defense Ecosystem

Thursday, August 27th | 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Exponential Impact HQ | Colorado Springs, CO

The U.S. Department of Defense and its network of prime contractors rely on thousands of innovative small businesses to strengthen the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Whether your company develops software, cybersecurity solutions, advanced manufacturing, professional services, logistics, AI, aerospace technologies, or other commercial innovations, there may be opportunities to support mission-critical programs across the U.S. Army, Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and other federal agencies.

Presented by the Colorado APEX Accelerator, this session is designed for startups and small businesses that want to understand how to enter and grow within the government marketplace. You'll learn how to identify contracting opportunities, position your business for success, and navigate the unique requirements of government procurement.

During this session, we'll cover:
•	How businesses can pursue opportunities throughout the Defense Industrial Base and across local, state, and federal government agencies
•	Government contracting requirements and procurement fundamentals
•	How to effectively market your company's capabilities to government buyers and prime contractors
•	Colorado APEX Accelerator's no-cost one-on-one counseling, training workshops, and outreach events
•	The APEX Accelerator BidMatch service, a powerful tool that helps businesses identify contract and subcontract opportunities that align with their capabilities
•	Common misconceptions, pitfalls, and how to determine whether government contracting is the right growth strategy for your business

If you're considering working with the Colorado APEX Accelerator, this session is highly recommended before your first counseling appointment. It helps our team better understand your business goals and ensures you receive guidance tailored to your stage of growth and target markets.

Government contracting can seem like navigating a maze—but you don't have to do it alone. Join us to learn how innovative startups and established small businesses alike can become trusted partners within the Defense Industrial Base, build relationships with government buyers and prime contractors, and uncover new pathways for sustainable growth.

Colorado founders, startups and small business owners interested in doing business with the US Federal Government in the Defense Industrial Base, supporting the U.S. Warfighter.

Use the doors on the south east side of the building where the Exponential Impact sign is on the building.