This week, we welcomed the #CASJS cohort for another in-person session, packed with valuable discussions, expert insights, and hands-on learning!
The week kicked off Tuesday morning as the companies regrouped to go over the schedule and get ready for another productive few days. With an exciting lineup of speakers and important business development sessions ahead, the cohort came back ready to hit the ground running.
Mo Kanwischer of Momentum Business Consulting returned to continue working with the teams on business development and pitching strategies. For tech startups looking to break into the defense industry, knowing how to communicate their value to investors and government officials is critical.
Later in the day, Mark Zeller of Axellio shared his journey of building a small, non-traditional defense company specializing in data scaling. He provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of growing a business in this space. Reflecting on his experience with the cohort, Mark said, “I really enjoyed meeting with all of the cohort companies. I am excited about the solutions they are bringing to market to help our warfighters and advance the state of the art in EW to help defend our country. Each company brought a unique solution and perspective, and I learned a lot from them. I wish them all well in their endeavors.”
In the afternoon, teams had one-on-one sessions with Mo and Mark, giving them the chance to ask specific questions and refine their strategies. They also started drafting their scripts for Demo Day videos, which they’d be filming later in the week.
Wednesday’s session featured Brian Ormsby, who specializes in helping small businesses navigate government contracting. He broke down the key accounting terms, forms, and processes that startups need to understand as they pursue government funding – turning what can be an overwhelming topic – into something clear and actionable.
Thursday and Friday were all about Demo Day video production! The cohort put the finishing touches on their scripts before heading to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), where they had access to a professional studio and green screen. Thanks to UCCS, the teams were able to create high-quality videos that would showcase their work on Demo Day.
Thursday night, the Accelerator also hosted “Connections and Cocktails”, a networking happy hour that brought together cohort teams, industry professionals, and members of the Accelerator community. With more than 80 attendees, the event was a huge success, allowing companies to expand their networks and have meaningful conversations in a more relaxed setting.
A big thank you to our expert speakers, the UCCS team, and everyone who joined us for the happy hour! We can’t wait for the next session and to see these companies continue to grow and innovate.
