By Sarah Hepburn, Office of Army Innovation Programs 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army xTech Program, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program, named 60 finalists advancing to the finals of xTechSearch 9, the latest round of the Army’s flagship open-topic prize competition.  

Led by the Office of Army Innovation Programs under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology, the competition continues to scout high-impact innovations with dual-use potential. The Army designed the xTechSearch competition series with an open-topic format to discover commercially viable technologies that can rapidly scale and deliver transformative capabilities directly into the hands of Soldiers. 

These finalists— representing a range of technologies from artificial intelligence, energy resiliency, immersive systems, contested logistics, and more— were chosen from a highly competitive field of applicants. Many of these companies are engaging with the Department of Defense for the first time, reflecting xTech’s mission to bring nontraditional innovators into the Army ecosystem.  

View xTechSearch 9 Finalists here.

Each of the finalist receives a $5,000 cash prize and entry into the xTechSearch 9 Accelerator —a tailored program designed to help companies navigate the defense landscape, refine their transition strategies, and connect with key Army stakeholders. Following the competition finals in September 2025, The Army will select 24 winners, each receiving an additional $25,000 cash prize and the opportunity to submit an Army SBIR Phase I proposal under the A254-P039 xTechSearch 9 solicitation. 

The xTechSearch 9 Accelerator plays a crucial role in equipping nontraditional companies with the knowledge, access, and resources necessary to succeed within the Army ecosystem. Through virtual workshops, one-on-one coaching, and stakeholder matchmaking, participants develop robust transition strategies and sharpen their pitches ahead of the finals.  

By combining competition and collaboration, xTechSearch breaks down traditional barriers and opens doors to companies that may not otherwise engage with defense. 

The Legacy of xTechSearch 

First launched in 2018, xTechSearch was the original prize competition that laid the foundation for the Army’s broader xTech Program. Its unique open-topic format was designed to cast a wide net for cutting-edge commercial technologies with military potential. 

Since that launch, xTechSearch has evolved into a vital pipeline for Army innovation. 

With each new iteration, the xTechSearch competition has grown in both scale and visibility. xTechSearch 9 experienced a 21% increase in submissions compared to the previous round. Notably, 87% of applicants were new to the competition, and over 52% reported they had never worked with the Department of Defense—demonstrating the program’s ongoing success in engaging fresh and nontraditional innovators. 

About the Army xTech Program 

The Army xTech Program is the Army’s premier tool for scouting and accelerating dual-use technologies that directly enhance Soldier readiness and mission success. Through dynamic prize competitions like xTechSearch, xTech identifies breakthrough solutions and opens doors for nontraditional companies to engage with and deliver capabilities to the Army. Since its launch in 2018, xTech has awarded over $30 million in non-dilutive cash prizes across 44 competitions—fueling innovation pipelines and delivering transformative technologies that matter on the battlefield. 

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Any references to commercial products or services do not, and shall not, be construed as official Army or DoD endorsements.