By Daniel Smoot, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army SBIR|STTR Program

The U.S. Army xTech Prize Competition Program launched the xTech Artificial Intelligence Grand Challenge – an exciting competition inviting small and large businesses across the U.S. to develop innovative solutions for Automated Data Verification and Validation, as well as Data Augmentation and Feature Engineering.

The competition is being executed in partnership with Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors and Project Linchpin.

How It Works

Under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, the xTech AI Grand Challenge will award up to $2 million in cash prizes, while providing direct feedback to applicants, as well as education, mentorship and strategic exposure through the accelerator program.

Part One: Concept White Papers

Eligible vendors submit a four-page concept white paper highlighting their technology, viability and its benefit to the Army. Department of Defense experts across the science and technology ecosystem review the proposed solutions.

The submission window for the xTech AI Grand Challenge opens from December 19, 2024, to January 30, 2025. Up to 40 semifinalists receive $10,000 and an invitation to the next round.

Part Two: Testing

Semifinalists submit their techniques and tools virtually for testing and evaluation by a panel of Army and DoD experts between April and June 2025.

The competition selects up to 20 eligible innovators to receive $25,000 each. Additionally, finalists have the opportunity to participate in the xTech Accelerator Program and engage directly with Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors’ Project Linchpin team.

Part Three: Finals

Finalists pitch their cutting-edge technologies to a panel of Army and DoD experts during an in-person event at or around Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, in August 2025. Up to six winners will be selected, each receiving the following cash prizes:

First Place: $500,000

Second Place: $300,000

Third Place: $150,000

Fourth: $75,000

Fifth: $50,000

Sixth: $25,000

The xTech AI Grand Challenge will provide valuable opportunities for businesses to contribute to AI advancements for current Army and Project Linchpin efforts, refining and aligning industry solutions with both current and future Army needs.

For more competition details and to view the full RFI, visit the xTech AI Grand Challenge competition page.

About the Army xTech and SBIR|STTR Programs

Since its inception in 2018, the Army xTech Program has provided direct exposure to Army laboratories, program executive offices and program managers. Participants receive detailed feedback from Army DoD stakeholders and gain access to training, mentorship and networking opportunities. This guidance helps businesses align their solutions with Army needs. The xTech Program hosts several competitions annually, including open-topic competitions like xTechSearch and technology-specific competitions targeting critical Army needs.

The Army SBIR Program continually releases funding opportunities, including Phase I funding for commercially viable, feasible and technically sound solutions. Mature technologies meeting Phase I requirements can advance to Phase II and Direct to Phase II contracts. Throughout the process, technical, acquisition and operational Army experts guide businesses to align their innovations with the Army’s critical needs.

The Army STTR Program, like SBIR, integrates small businesses into the Army space by partnering them with a university, federally funded research and development center, or a qualified non-profit research institution. The small business must act as the prime contractor, performing at least 40% of the work while the research partner performs at least 30%.

Learn More Now

Visit the bottom right of the xTech Program homepage to stay updated on how your small or nontraditional business can develop game-changing solutions for the Army. For more information, contact us at usarmy.xtech@army.mil.

Get ready to innovate and make a difference!