xTech | DEVCOM Demo Day

## TEE Take

**xTech** is the **Army**'s open innovation competition — and the finals at **Aberdeen Proving Ground** are where startups demonstrate technology to the **Army**'s **Combat Capabilities Development Command** (**DEVCOM**). Unlike most defense pitch events, **xTech** finalists receive prize money regardless of contract outcomes, and the evaluation happens in front of end-users, not acquisition officers. Soldiers test your equipment, not PowerPoint reviewers.

The competition has produced several notable success stories: companies that entered with no government experience and now hold multi-million-dollar production contracts. The pathway from competition finalist to PEO (Program Executive Office) contract is well-established.

## Insider Tip

The **xTech** competition has multiple entry points throughout the year — pitch competitions, challenges, and open topic calls. Even if you miss the November finals, entering an earlier round puts your company on **DEVCOM**'s radar. The prize money ($10K-$250K per round) is modest, but the relationship with **Army** evaluators is the real asset. They remember who showed up with working hardware and who showed up with a pitch deck.

## What to Expect

Two days at **Aberdeen Proving Ground**. Day 1 is setup, calibration, and controlled demonstrations. Day 2 is the open evaluation where **DEVCOM** engineers and operational testers put systems through their paces. Categories typically include advanced materials, autonomous systems, power and energy, and network/communications. Finals feature 10-15 companies per category selected from hundreds of initial applicants.

## Who Should Attend

Defense tech startups with TRL 4+ hardware. Dual-use companies that want direct feedback from military end-users. Founders who find traditional defense acquisition impenetrable — **xTech** is designed as the on-ramp for companies with no prior government contracts.