U.S. Market Discovery
Dual-Use
Validate your opportunity in the U.S. defense and federal innovation market
Remote | Austin, Texas
Assess, validate, and strategically prepare your U.S. defense and federal ecosystem entry - with direct exposure to key stakeholders.
Validate your U.S. market potential — with expert guidance and real-world feedback.
The U.S. is one of the world’s most important markets for dual-use innovation, but it is also complex. Entering it requires more than strong technology. Startups need to have market-specific positioning, acquisition literacy, regulatory awareness, partner strategy, and trusted access to the right ecosystem.
U.S. Market Discovery Dual-Use is a focused program for German startups developing dual-use, defense-relevant, and security-adjacent technologies. It supports founders in working through the key questions that come up when exploring the U.S. market — from understanding where their technology creates real mission value, to identifying the right stakeholders across agencies, program offices, primes, partners, and investors, to defining what a realistic U.S. entry approach looks like for their stage.
The program culminates in an in-person immersion in Austin, where founders engage directly with the ecosystem through curated meetings, workshops, and participation in FedSupernova and GSIX (Global Security and Information Exchange - a program run by our partner Q-Branch).
What You Get
U.S. Market Positioning & Validation
Pressure-test your value proposition, use cases, and messaging in a U.S. defense context, so you can focus on what resonates and adjust where needed.
Expert Mentoring & Strategic Feedback
Work closely with experienced U.S. dual-use and defense experts who provide targeted input on your positioning, stakeholder strategy, and market approach.
FedSupernova & GSIX Ecosystem Access
Engage with the U.S. defense innovation ecosystem through FedSupernova (Capital Factory) and GSIX (Q-Branch), with direct exposure to government, industry, and investors.
Structured Preparation & Execution Support
Get hands-on support across workshops, pitch refinement, stakeholder mapping, and conference preparation, so your time in Austin leads to meaningful interactions.
Walk Away With Clear Outcomes
A refined U.S. market hypothesis and defense-relevant use case
A U.S.-ready value proposition and pitch, shaped through expert input and real conversations
A prioritized stakeholder map across agencies, primes, partners, and investors
A structured outreach and engagement approach for the U.S. market
Direct feedback and insights from interactions during FedSupernova and GSIX
Clear next steps for how to approach the U.S. defense and federal ecosystem
Upcoming Cohort
Location:
Remote & Austin, Texas
Program dates:
July 20 - August 21, 2026
Immersion Week
August 17 - 21, 2026
Application Deadline:
June 15, 2026
Format:
Workshops, 1-1 Mentoring, Conference Prep, Conference Participation
Cost:
€500 per startup*
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The Process
Submit Your Application
Apply with your pitch deck and key information about your startup, including your product, traction, and interest in exploring the U.S. market. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Selection Process
Our team evaluates applications and conducts rolling interviews. Selected startups receive confirmation and next steps as soon as decisions are made, allowing teams to plan early for the program and FedSupernova.
Get Ready
Join the onboarding phase, prepare strategically for the FedSupernova conference, and take part in targeted workshops on U.S. market culture, networking, and conference execution. You’ll also have access to 1:1 mentor session’s with our experts for pitch review and conference pipeline planning.
Experience FedSupernova, GSIX & Build Connections
Participate in FedSupernova and GSIX in Austin, connect with relevant ecosystem players, potential partners, and fellow founders, and use the immersion week to validate your positioning, build relationships, and gain concrete insights for your U.S. market journey.
What Previous Program Participants Say
Do You Have Any Questions?
