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Defense

DARPA

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

A Department of Defense agency that funds high-risk, high-reward research intended to create breakthrough national security capabilities.

What is DARPA?

DARPA is known for ambitious programs that push beyond incremental improvement. It often uses BAAs and program-specific solicitations to fund teams working on problems with major technical uncertainty and potential strategic impact.

Startups should approach DARPA when their technology aligns with a program thesis and they can show a credible path through hard technical risk. DARPA is not a general startup grant source; it is a mission-driven research buyer.

Have questions about DARPA?

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