Opinion: The INNOVATE Act strengthens national defense innovation by empowering small businesses

As geopolitical threats grow, the U.S. must strengthen its defense industrial base and accelerate innovation. Technological superiority isn’t guaranteed. It must be earned through bold policy, targeted investment, and support for innovators across the country.

The INNOVATE Act, led by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), does just that by empowering one of our greatest national security assets: small businesses.

At the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) in Bossier City, Louisiana, we see every day how collaboration and entrepreneurship fuel breakthroughs that support the warfighter. As a nonprofit that drives defense technology development, CIC works with government, industry, and academia to identify and accelerate solutions. Small businesses lead the way thanks to their speed, flexibility, and cost-effective innovations.

We have seen firsthand how collaborating with small businesses not only strengthens national defense but transforms communities. This timely legislation has the chance to create a renaissance in towns all over America by enabling small businesses to bypass roadblocks and navigate federal research and development (R&D) programs.

Fueling Innovation in All of America

The INNOVATE Act lowers barriers to entry with streamlined awards, helping new players from across the country compete for funding. This expands the innovation pipeline and injects fresh ideas into the defense ecosystem.

The CIC has seen this in action. Our defense initiative, STRIKEWERX, is the innovation hub for Air Force Global Strike Command. Through its Challenge events, we’ve sourced real-world solutions for aircrew alerting, B-52 refueling simulation, counter-drone systems, and more.

The INNOVATE Act builds on this model, unlocking innovation from every corner of America.

Focusing on Mission Impact

The INNOVATE Act restores federal R&D funding to its original purpose: merit-based seed funding for companies with a clear path to commercialization and real-world impact. It rejects the complacency of the status quo and affirms that innovation must serve the mission, not bureaucracy.

The legislation recognizes that relying on a small group of repeat awardees dulls America’s competitive edge. Instead, it opens the door to new players with transformative ideas who have the passion to scale and a drive to serve.

Scaling Breakthroughs

Crucially, the bill also creates Strategic Breakthrough Awards of up to $30 million to a long-term pipeline from prototype to production. With buy-in from acquisition officials and matching funds from private or public partners, these awards accelerate the most promising technologies into the hands of end users.

For small businesses, this is the missing link. For national defense, it’s a force multiplier.

A National Security Imperative

If we are serious about preserving our technological superiority and preparing for tomorrow’s threats, we must support innovators who can deliver faster, smarter, and more affordable solutions. The INNOVATE Act is not just a reform bill. It is a national security imperative. By modernizing and reauthorizing federal R&D funding, it ensures that America’s best ideas reach the warfighter.

CIC is proud to support the INNOVATE Act and its bold vision for a more resilient, competitive, and innovative defense ecosystem. We urge Congress to act swiftly and pass this critical legislation. Our national security depends on it.

Kevin Nolten is president of the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC). Located in Bossier City, Louisiana, CIC is the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park and serves as the catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region. As a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, CIC fosters collaboration among its partners and accelerates technology, research, and development.