Mission

Discover • Engage • Accelerate

Novel Solutions for Sailors and Marines

In Support of National Security

What We Do

NAUTILUS is constantly assessing the landscape in the areas of defense and innovation. Our ecosystem of the latest technologies allows us to scout for the most promising concepts, prototypes, or commercially available technologies that can be leveraged as solutions for the warfighter. Using research and development agreements, contracts, competitions, public-private partnerships, and other tools, NAUTILUS can address Navy and Marine Corps innovation challenges while helping grow the circle of entrepreneurs and investors interested in working the strategic and technical challenges associated with maintaining U.S. national security.

COLLABORATION EVENTS (CE)

Warfighters, Industry, Academia and National Labs participate in design thinking sessions to ideate on specific challenge areas and develop actionable plans for effective implementation to achieve their goals. Outcomes from a CE shape future efforts, projects and events.

Join the Ecosystem
 

ASSESSMENT EVENTS (AE)

NAUTILUS receives specific problems to solve from government partners and utilizes its ecosystem and Market Research to attract best-of-breed submissions to solve the problem. The government partner reviews the submissions and selects participants with the highest value to present and/or demonstrate their capability in a one-on-one session with Government Stakeholders.

Join the Ecosystem
 

ADDITIONAL METHODS

  • STEM/ STEAM Events

  • Tech Sprints

  • Feasibility Studies

  • Tech Talks

  • Hackathons

  • Rapid Prototyping

 FAQ

  • Nautilus is a platform established under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between NSWCDD and DEFENSEWERX to help the Navy and Marine Corps solve challenging Warfighter problems. We are a public facing emissary that facilitates collaboration, innovation, prototyping and exploration with Industry, Labs, Academia and Government Stakeholders.

  • Our charter is two-fold: 1) Create and maintain a platform to accelerate delivery of innovative capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps and 2) Facilitate capability refinement through exploration, experimentation and assessment of promising technology.

  • Nautilus is equipping the next generation of problem solvers by providing exciting opportunities for students at all levels to acquire the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills that will assist the Warfighters of tomorrow. By supporting various clubs, teams or classes, as well as hosting several internal STEM events each year, Nautilus is ensuring future innovators learn how to tackle challenging, real-world problems, and supporting the workforce of the future.

  • Nautilus offers opportunities to enhance and expand current workforce skill sets through a variety of traditional and non-traditional methods. This includes collaboration and assessment events, leadership seminars and guest lecturers.  Nautilus participates in the DoD Skillbridge Program to leverage the talents of transitioning military, and to help them discover a rewarding follow on career.  Nautilus also leverages internship programs and promotes national security work opportunities to the next generation.

  • The Nautilus ecosystem is comprised of Industry, Labs, Academia and Government Stakeholders that care about solving challenging Warfighter problems to protect our freedoms and way of life. When the Navy and Marine Corps bring a Warfighter problem to Nautilus, the Nautilus team reaches out to ecosystem participants.

  • The only requirement is that you are willing to participate and engage.

  • No. Participation is free.

  • DEFENSEWERX (formerly the Doolittle Institute) was established in 2012 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is headquartered in Niceville, Florida. The DEFENSEWERX mission is to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem by shaping successful collisions to innovate and commercialize technologies that benefit the Warfighter. DEFENSEWERX has several innovation hubs located across the USA.

  • In accordance with 15 U.S. Code § 3715, “Use of partnership intermediaries” Nautilus performs services for the United States Special Operations Command (the Navy and Marine Corps) that increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities with small business firms or institutions of higher education.