The Accelerator, known by the acronym DSTA, will occupy 15,000 square feet of space at 455 Ramsey Street in Fayetteville.
"The potential for this thing is unlimited," said Scott Perry, the retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran who recently was named general manager of the DSTA, in a recent interview with WRAL.com. "We are spreading the message, reaching out to the military and the academic community and the private sector. The complexion of Fayetteville is about to change."
The DSTA plans to occupy the building as of Oct. 16.
The facility is designed to accommodate between 12 and 15 companies while providing support for another 10 companies that do not occupy DSTA space.
The DSTA is administered by the Partnership for Defense Innovation and has received funding from the North Carolina General Assembly. Its purpose is to help startup companies that are focused on technology for defense and security solutions to meet the needs of military and intelligence agencies and also to seek opportunities to commercialize products for dual use. Its backers include the North Carolina Technology Association and the Cumberland County Business Council.
The DSTA has said it will help entrepreneurs with technology, prototype and product development, provide coaching, introduce them to potential customers, industry contacts and also offer guidance for funding solutions.
A key feature of the incubator is the availability of five laboratories set up for prototype developing and testing. The DSTA staff will include an engineer to provide support for clients. A variety of equipment for testing and development will also be provided.
In addition to Perry and an engineer, the DSTA's staff will include an assistant director, an office manager and a program manager.
Other features will include:
The DSTA is currently housed at 4200 Morganton Road, Suite 18, Executive Suites, 2nd Floor, in Fayetteville.
For more information, see the DSTA web site (
www.dstanc.org
) or call 910-864-3782.
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