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Accelerator Atlas
ActiveVerifiedChecked against the program's own website or official documents.

SOFWERX

Defense & Space · Run by DEFENSEWERX (501(c)(3)) in partnership with USSOCOM · Tampa, FL

Verified Oct 1, 2026Official websiteHow to apply

Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.

The facts

All fields verified Oct 1, 2026
Terms model
Non-dilutiveGives money that does not take equity: grants, prizes, or credits. Your ownership is untouched.
Investment
Not publishedNot a cohort accelerator: an innovation platform connecting companies to USSOCOM via Tech Tuesday pitch slots (20-minute virtual briefings to government stakeholders; new submissions paused since September 18, 2026), assessment/technical experimentation events, tech sprints, RFIs, and SBIR opportunities that can lead to government contracts. No equity taken and no fixed award amount, hence nulls. Deadlines vary by event and SBIR release (USSOCOM SBIR 26.BZ Release 6 closes October 21, 2026 at noon ET), so next_deadline is null.
Equity taken
Not publishedNot a cohort accelerator: an innovation platform connecting companies to USSOCOM via Tech Tuesday pitch slots (20-minute virtual briefings to government stakeholders; new submissions paused since September 18, 2026), assessment/technical experimentation events, tech sprints, RFIs, and SBIR opportunities that can lead to government contracts. No equity taken and no fixed award amount, hence nulls. Deadlines vary by event and SBIR release (USSOCOM SBIR 26.BZ Release 6 closes October 21, 2026 at noon ET), so next_deadline is null.
Program length
Not published
Format
Hybrid
Location
Tampa, FL
Cohorts per year
Not published
Cohort size
Not published
Stage focus
any stage; small businesses to labs
Sub-vertical
special operations technology
Demographic focus
Not published
Backers
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
Notable alumni
Not published

Terms notes: Not a cohort accelerator: an innovation platform connecting companies to USSOCOM via Tech Tuesday pitch slots (20-minute virtual briefings to government stakeholders; new submissions paused since September 18, 2026), assessment/technical experimentation events, tech sprints, RFIs, and SBIR opportunities that can lead to government contracts. No equity taken and no fixed award amount, hence nulls. Deadlines vary by event and SBIR release (USSOCOM SBIR 26.BZ Release 6 closes October 21, 2026 at noon ET), so next_deadline is null.

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Terms in plain English

SOFWERX is a front door to US Special Operations Command, not an accelerator: it runs pitch events, technical assessment events and tech sprints that can lead to non-dilutive government contracts, and no equity is ever taken. Money arrives, when it does, as a contract or SBIR award rather than an investment, and many activities such as Tech Tuesday pitch slots pay nothing directly. SBIR proposals tied to SOFWERX-relevant topics go through the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) at dodsbirsttr.mil during set solicitation windows. There is no cohort, no demo day and no published award amount, because funding depends on which specific opportunity you win.

Who this is actually for

Companies of any size with technology relevant to special operations forces, from small businesses to research labs, that want direct engagement with USSOCOM stakeholders in Tampa or virtually. It suits teams comfortable with event-driven procurement: you respond to a specific assessment event, RFI, sprint or SBIR topic rather than joining a program.

SOFWERX application deadlines

  • SBIR 26.BZ Release 4 (as listed on sofwerx.org): Applications close Aug 19, 2026.

    Verified Aug 26, 2026Source

  • USSOCOM SBIR 26.BZ Release 6 (closes at noon ET): Opens Sep 23, 2026, closes Oct 21, 2026.

    Verified Oct 1, 2026Source

  • Tech Tuesday pitch slots (new submissions paused Sep 18, 2026 until further notice): Not accepting applications.

    Verified Oct 1, 2026Source

Frequently asked questions

When is the next SOFWERX application deadline?
The next confirmed application window for SOFWERX closes Oct 21, 2026.
How much does SOFWERX invest?
SOFWERX does not publish an investment amount, so we record it as not published.
How much equity does SOFWERX take?
SOFWERX does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
Where is SOFWERX located and is it in person?
SOFWERX is based in Tampa, FL and runs a hybrid program.
Is SOFWERX still active?
As of our last check on Oct 1, 2026, SOFWERX is active.

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Plain-English mechanics, with worked hypothetical numbers.

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Sources

Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.