Applications are open for the Defense Accelerator, a program of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Montgomery TechLab (MTL) and Treble One.

The program will select five early-stage companies for an eight-week program to help them produce innovative products in the defense and commercial markets. Artificial intelligence, mobile app development and cybersecurity are some of the target areas.

Applications will open on February 18, and interested companies can apply by visiting the Montgomery TechLab website.

Organizers say recruitment efforts will extend beyond Alabama, and could build a pipeline of innovative defense programs and products.

Within a year of completing Defense Accelerator, the program’s creators hope that 75% of the participants will have secured a government contract, obtained a subcontract with a federal government prime contractor, partnered with a prime contractor or manufacturer, or raised at least $100,000 in private capital.

Montgomery Area Chamber President Anna Buckalew said the program is a “transformative moment for our region, strengthening our capital region’s position as a leader in defense innovation.

The Defense Accelerator enables local companies and individuals to keep 50% of their state tax liability in the community, using the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit Program. This includes Alabama income tax, state insurance premium tax, state public utility license tax and the state portion of the financial institution excise tax.

Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama, said the tax program “is designed to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where accelerators and tech businesses flourish.”

To learn more about the program, contact Charisse Stokes, MTL Partner Liaison, at [email protected].