Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Pitch Day Special Notice

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) has issued a Special Notice announcing an invitation-only Pitch Day scheduled for July 25, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado. This event is designed to explore innovative research and development opportunities in emerging technological domains. DARPA will host this specialized gathering to identify and potentially fund groundbreaking proposals with significant potential for advancing microsystems technology. The Pitch Day is part of DARPA's strategy to engage with new and non-traditional research performers, including small businesses and educational institutions. The agency aims to catalyze innovative approaches in critical technology areas through this focused engagement.

Contractors interested in participating must submit research abstracts during the April/May 2025 timeframe for initial evaluation by DARPA. Selected proposers will be invited to prepare and deliver a Pitch Day Presentation (PDP), with a focus on unconventional computing, biologically inspired microsystems, and commercially driven defense development. The event is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. entities, though Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, University Affiliated Research Centers, and Government Entities are explicitly ineligible. Participants will be required to pay a $450 registration fee, with no reimbursement provided for participation costs. The Pitch Day will operate at an UNCLASSIFIED level, providing an opportunity for researchers to showcase innovative concepts in next-generation microsystems technology. Selected participants will have the chance to present their proposals directly to DARPA representatives, potentially securing funding for cutting-edge research initiatives.