Leaders From Across North Carolina Cut Ribbon on Defense & Security Technology Accelerator.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Business and government leaders are gathering in Fayetteville, North Carolina today to join Congressman Robin Hayes (R-8th District) and State Senator Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) to cut the ribbon on a new statewide innovation asset, the Defense & Security Technology Accelerator

(DSTA). The DSTA brings together the world class military assets of North Carolina with the cutting edge innovation assets in the state's technology industries. The DSTA was conceived by the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) with assistance from the Cumberland County Business Council and is being implemented by the Partnership for Defense Innovation, a statewide 501(c)3. The DSTA is designed to rapidly deploy state of the art technology to war fighters and intelligence officers. The rapid incubation model focuses on subject matter experts and technology acceleration.

"The DSTA is the beginning of a statewide Defense & Security cluster in North Carolina," said Congressman Hayes. "The Accelerator will help our troops and intelligence capabilities and grow jobs here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County." Congressman Hayes secured $1.01 million to develop a wireless lab and test bed in the DSTA for battlefield communication technologies. "Our Special Operations Forces will be able to test emerging wireless technologies right here so that they can be deployed quickly in the Global war on terror," added Congressman Hayes.

NCTA leaders reached out to Congressman Hayes and State Senator Rand over two years ago when they first explored the rapid incubation model that would become the DSTA. Senator Rand helped secure $2 million from the North Carolina Legislature to launch the DSTA. "The DSTA represents a new era in economic development for North Carolina just like the NC Biotech Center did over 20 years ago," said Senator Rand. "Ft. Bragg and Pope Air Force Base is one of the largest military communities in the world and home to elite troops. Our mission is simple - get them the best technology in the fastest manner possible and grow jobs."

The DSTA will be home to 12-15 high growth companies that will develop their technologies for the market place in an 8-18 month time frame. The Accelerator will provide services and programs to foster collaboration between the military, intelligence communities, academic communities across North Carolina and the Research Triangle Park to develop technology solutions. Scott Perry, general manager of the DSTA, is a Special Forces veteran and has strong experience in scaling companies in this sector.

"The DSTA is really about leadership and teamwork," said Kirk deViere, chairman of the Partnership for Defense Innovation. "The Fayetteville City Council, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, our Congressional delegation, our state legislative delegation, NCTA statewide leaders, and local leaders from the Cumberland County Business Council have all been instrumental in launching the DSTA. Today is a great celebration that represents the beginning of building a defense and security cluster that will emanate from the region around Fort Bragg."

Janet Wylie, chairman of NCTA and president of Engineous Software commented, "The DSTA is a great innovation asset that will help high growth companies focused on the defense and intelligence market place. Combining our entrepreneurial assets with our military expertise will be a powerful force and the start of new job creation and a whole new wave on innovative technologies and applications. Technologies that the defense and intelligence communities are focused on such as sensors, UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles,) encryption, wireless, databases, lasers and others have significant dual use applications in the market place as well as with the government."

National statistics show that more than 80 percent of incubated companies stay within a five mile radius of where they were incubated. Leaders hope that the DSTA will lead to job growth and new sector development for eastern North Carolina.

About the Defense and Security Technology Accelerator (DSTA)

The DSTA is a unique "incubation" model that focuses on a channel partner concept and leverages the relationships and subject matter expertise of North Carolina based technology companies to accelerate rapid development of technologies relevant to defense and security. The DSTA is opening in Fayetteville and will include 12-15 high-growth technology companies, labs and space for large companies to collaborate. For more information visit www.dstanc.org

About PDI

About Partnership for Defense Innovation The Partnership for Defense Innovation (PDI) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation established to encourage economic development opportunities in Cumberland County, North Carolina, particularly with respect to homeland security and national defense industries.

About NCTA

NCTA is a not-for-profit membership-driven trade organization and the primary voice of the information technology industry in North Carolina. NCTA is the intersection of leadership and technology, fueling the growth of North Carolina through Executive Engagement, Public Affairs, and a Knowledge Workforce. For more information, visit www.nc-tech.org.