An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HomeNewsroomArticle Display

News

SSC launches inaugural Space Force Pitch Day Event

By Space Systems Command Public Affairs / Published August 18, 2021

Space Force Pitch Day 2021
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 3

Space Force Pitch Day 2021

Participants of the first inaugural Space Force Pitch day communicate virtually with one another Aug. 18, 2021, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. This year, SFPD will be entirely virtual and feature two days of innovative collaboration between the Air and Space Forces and space industry companies from within the innovation ecosystem. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 3

Participants of the first inaugural Space Force Pitch day communicate virtually with one another Aug. 18, 2021, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. This year, SFPD will be entirely virtual and feature two days of innovative collaboration between the Air and Space Forces and space industry companies from within the innovation ecosystem. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore)

Participants of the first inaugural Space Force Pitch day communicate virtually with one another Aug. 18, 2021, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. This year, SFPD will be entirely virtual and feature two days of innovative collaboration between the Air and Space Forces and space industry companies from within the innovation ecosystem. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 3

U.S. Space Force 1st Lieutenants John Valentine, left, and Nicole Quattrociocchi, both Portfolio Architect Mission Innovation officers, work on their computers during the first inaugural Space Force Pitch Day Aug. 18, 2021, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. This year, SFPD will be entirely virtual and feature two days of innovative collaboration between the Air and Space Forces and space industry companies from within the innovation ecosystem. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore)

PRINT | E-MAIL
LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) hosts its first inaugural Space Force Pitch Day (SFPD) today and tomorrow, Aug. 18-19. This year, SFPD will be entirely virtual and will feature two days of innovative collaboration between the Air and Space Forces and space industry companies from within the innovation ecosystem.
 
Small companies and start-ups who made it through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I process for SFPD comprise Day One’s private pitching. These companies were previously awarded a SBIR Phase I contract worth $50K as a way to continue building upon their innovations and discovering how they may fit within the USSF. During the private pitching event, these small businesses will showcase their innovations in front of a team of Air and Space Force experts and are competing for an opportunity to win a SBIR Phase II contract. $34M in total will be awarded at the event.
 
Day Two consists of a virtual expo, keynote speakers and panels addressing the launch of SpaceWERX and the USSF innovation ecosystem, as well as many opportunities for collaboration with 2021 SFPD companies.
 
“We are doing things differently,” said Lt. Col. Walter “Rock” McMillan, director, SpaceWERX. “Space Force is redefining rapid acquisition, development, and fielding of commercial innovations to improve our space capabilities. We are breaking down barriers-to-access through pitch day events, and by using SBIR funds to put start-ups on contract quickly to deliver quality products and services. We need speed and agility as we pivot to deliver swift and responsive capabilities to the warfighter.”
 
Participants still have time to register and attend the SFPD public event on Aug. 19th by visiting www.spaceforcepitchday.com.  The website will also offer additional information that highlights space force pitch day events.
 
###

Space Systems Command, is a USSF field command and is responsible for developing and acquiring lethal and resilient space capabilities for warfighters by rapidly identifying, prototyping, fielding and sustaining innovative, space-based solutions to meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy. SSC’s functions include developmental testing, production, launch, on-orbit checkout and maintenance of USSF space systems, as well as oversight of USSF science and technology activities.
 
Interested media representatives may submit questions regarding this topic by sending an e-mail to smcpa.media@us.af.mil.
Get the latest Los Angeles Garrison and SSC news at www.ssc.spaceforce.mil, via Facebook (@SpaceSystemsCommand) and on Twitter (@USSF_SMC)
#SSC #SpaceStartsHere #SemperSupra