BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed
Martin Ventures, the venture capital arm of Lockheed Martin, in
partnership with ClearSky and ARCH Venture Partners, is accepting
applications for a first-of-its-kind competition that will have
entrepreneurs pitch their business plan in a helicopter in the
skies above Austin, Texas. The
pitch, at the 2017 South by Southwest festival, is part of Lockheed
Martin's increased focus on investing in emerging companies.
The HeloPitch competition will provide entrepreneurs the chance
to pitch their companies and technologies to Lockheed Martin
Ventures, ClearSky (a Florida-based investment fund), ARCH Venture
Partners and the Lockheed Martin chief technology scout. The
competition will take place in a Sikorsky S-76D helicopter as it
flies over downtown Austin. The
helicopter is one of thousands of products Lockheed Martin
produces, and is just one example of the innovations that originate
within Lockheed Martin.
"Innovation stems from partnership, and we're looking forward to
meeting with and learning from entrepreneurs across the country,"
said Chris Moran, Lockheed Martin
Ventures vice president. "At Lockheed Martin, we build technologies
that explore deep space, create breakthroughs in human-machine
teaming and enable critical defense missions around the world. The
commercial space has incredible technologies with strong defense
applications. We're looking for those perfect fit
technologies."
Companies and entrepreneurs can submit entries at
lockheedmartin.com/helopitch by March
3. Technology scouts and venture fund analysts will review
and select applications. The venture team will notify companies of
their selection for participation in the HeloPitch by March 10.
"This isn't your typical rehearsed pitch in a boardroom," said
Moran. "Entrepreneurs will share their great ideas, talk to their
strengths and differentiators, all while in a moving helicopter.
It's a wild way to pitch an idea, but so much of starting your own
business is wild. In a way, this embodies that process."
For consideration in the HeloPitch competition, companies will
need to be present at South by Southwest. Companies that cannot
attend, but are interested in working with Lockheed Martin, should
contact the investment team at lm.ventures@lmco.com.
The HeloPitch competition is open to companies in various
development stages, including concept, prototype/beta, revenue
generation/early stage, growth/expansion and late stage. The
competition is open to companies with these focus areas:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Autonomous systems and robotics
- Aviation technologies
- Communications and sensors
- Cybersecurity
- Data analytics
- Energy and power systems
- Internet of things
- Next generation electronics
- Space technologies
- Sustainability
- Undersea technologies
- Virtual and augmented reality
For additional information, or to apply for the HeloPitch
competition, visit lockheedmartin.com/helopitch.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin