On Friday Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) cut the ribbon on the new Mission Acceleration Center (MAC), a partnership of the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition, Impact Washington, the National Security Innovation Network and Tech Bridge. The MAC’s goal is to remove barriers to engaging the Department of Defense and accelerate defense innovation.
Speakers, including Justin Dunnicliff from the National Security Innovation Network and Deloit Wolfe of Impact Washington, highlighted opportunities for the venture community, academia and industry to come together under the same roof to support the national security ecosystem.
Partners envision the new center facilitating and fast-tracking new technologies, winning the support of policymakers and helping small businesses navigate the complexities of federal contracting. Representative Larsen, calling on his experience on the Armed Services Committee, spoke to the important role the defense industry plays across western Washington, from Boeing to bases in Bremerton, JBLM and the Naval Air Station in district two.
The Center is located on the 33rd floor of the Docusign Tower in downtown Seattle. Designed as a co-working space, the location will facilitate partnerships with in-house venture capital, the University of Washington and other academic institutions and other industry partners. They intend to host regular networking events and a speaker series. The Center of Excellence looks forward to supporting this work.