Emerging Technology Opportunities for Small Businesses

TechNet Augusta Wednesday, August 21, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Shivaji Sengupta was a panelist on the panel discussion titled “Emerging Technology Opportunities for Small Businesses in the Federal Government.” This was a balanced panel with Stephen Wallace from DISA, providing the governments perspective of how they look at innovative, small businesses and bring them in, Miss Megan from Decode speaking about their experience in being the ecosystem for Innovative startup companies and what to look for, with David’s experience in alternate contracting vehicles and finally Shivaji’s experience and recommendation to small businesses to drive innovation in existing projects and new proposals and bring innovation at a very tactical project level that can make a difference for existing programs. Shivaji also spoke about how small businesses should use these, smaller innovation, opportunities, and existing projects as launch pads and proof of concepts that they can then use to make sure into larger, emerging technology projects with the federal government.

“It’s not always about finding the most emergent or exquisite technology, it’s about how we appropriately apply the technology.” –
Mr. Steve Wallace – CTO Defense Information Systems Agency

Check out DISA’s article on this panel on Linkedin

Overview

The Small Business Innovation Committee is organizing a panel discussion titled “Emerging Technology Opportunities for Small Businesses in the Federal Government.” This event aims to delve into the expanding role of emerging technologies within federal government operations and how small businesses can leverage these opportunities for growth and innovation. The session will provide a comprehensive look at the latest technological trends, the specific needs of federal agencies, and the pathways available for small businesses to engage and innovate in this sector.

Objectives

1. Highlight Emerging Technologies:
   1. Showcase the latest emerging technologies that are transforming federal government operations.
   1. Discuss the impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) on federal operations.
2. Discuss Challenges and Opportunities:
   1. Examine the unique challenges small businesses face when integrating emerging technologies into government projects.
   1. Explore opportunities for small businesses to provide innovative solutions that meet the needs of federal agencies.
3. Provide Practical Advice:
   1. Offer guidance on navigating federal procurement processes.
   1. Highlight government programs and initiatives designed to support small business innovation, such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Context Setting

1. Introduction to Emerging Technologies:

• Define what constitutes emerging technologies in the context of federal government operations.
• Provide examples of current technological innovations and their applications in various government sectors.

2. Federal Government’s Technological Needs:

• Outline the specific technological needs and priorities of federal agencies.
• Discuss how these needs align with broader government objectives, such as improving efficiency, enhancing security, and delivering better public services.

3. Role of Small Businesses:

• Highlight the critical role small businesses play in driving innovation within the federal government.
• Discuss the advantages small businesses have, such as agility, specialized expertise, and the ability to rapidly develop and deploy new solutions.