Pensacola, FLA – The Florida APEX Accelerator is pleased to announce a new partnership with DEFENSEWERX to provide support to Florida small businesses in the innovation and defense contracting space. 

This collaborative partnership between the Florida APEX Accelerator, the Florida SBDC Network, and DEFENSEWERX will help facilitate technology transfer and commercialization in Florida. The aim is to help Florida small businesses find creative solutions and new technologies that can help businesses grow, making an impact on the Florida economy.

Serving as a connection point between the programs, the Florida APEX Accelerator has brought on Tia Bond to serve as the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Specialist. Bond will play a pivotal role in supporting activities to facilitate the transition of innovative technologies into the commercial marketplace and introducing novel technologies into the Department of Defense and other government agencies.

“We are excited to have Tia on board and be the bridge between our three programs, helping to play a vital role in finding innovative technology solutions that will benefit the efforts of small businesses across the state,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “We are excited about the economic benefits this partnership will bring.”

This partnership is the first of its kind in Florida, and aims to facilitate the process of taking research results and bringing them to the marketplace in the form of products and services. The ultimate goal between the three partners is to create economic growth and harness small business opportunities for commercialization and transfer of innovative solutions. 

“We are thrilled about this collective pilot program,” remarked DEFENSEWERX CEO Brian Liesveld. “We believe the collaboration across our innovation hubs, the Florida SBDC, and the APEX Accelerator community is an important step toward both engaging Florida businesses in solving critical innovation problems for national security and diversifying the defense industrial base for our state and nation.”

In this collaborative role, Bond brings a drive to foster the growth of small businesses in Florida. Her previous experience working in consultancy services will aid businesses in preparing for government contracts and connecting them with the resources needed. Bond’s commitment to services extends beyond the entrepreneurial; she has also contributed to our nation’s defense as an Air Force logistics officer and civil servant.

“I’m thrilled to take on this pilot role. Drawing from my own experiences overcoming the challenges of entrepreneurship, I’m motivated by a profound commitment to empowering and supporting small business owners,” said Bond. “My aim, in this position, is to shine a spotlight on Florida’s burgeoning innovation systems and facilitate impactful connections between innovators and organizations best positioned to foster economic growth in the state, and in support of the defense industrial base.”

This role brings exciting opportunities to help small businesses across Florida find the innovative technologies and resources they need to succeed, whether that be in government contracting or in their operations.

The Florida APEX Accelerator helps Florida-based businesses compete for and win federal, state, and local government contracts. Through the program, the Florida APEX Accelerator matches businesses with contract opportunities, helps them prepare bids and navigate requirements, and assists them after winning contracts. 

Consultants also help businesses apply for certifications that may help them get an edge when competing for contracts, including minority-owned, veteran-owned, woman-owned, or HUBZone small businesses. These services are provided at no-cost to businesses. For more information about the Florida APEX Accelerator program, and to find a government contracting consultant in your area, please visit www.FLAPEX.org.