Program
The primary policy objective of the Critical Technology Initiative is to attract private investment into areas deemed critical to national and economic security.


Priority Critical Areas We Serve
The Department of Defense has identified 14 critical areas vital to maintaining the United States’ national security. These have been grouped into three categories as found in the 2023 National Defense Science and Technology Strategy.
Effective Adoption Areas
Defense-Specific Areas
Seed Areas of Emerging Opportunity

Trusted AI & Automation

Microelectronics

Space Technology

Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems

Renewable Energy Generation & Storage

Human-Machine Interfaces

Advanced Computing & Software

Hypersonics

Directed Energy

Integrated Sensing & Cyber

Biotechnology

Advance Materials

Quantum Science

Future Generation Wireless Technology
Do You Qualify?
Critical Technology Areas
- We have a broad mandate to provide debt capital to emerging companies critical to our economic and national security
- The DoD has identified fourteen critical technology areas for initial prioritization
- Other industries critical to our national security are also eligible for investment
Eligible as a US Small Business
- Based in the U.S. with > 51% of employees and tangible assets inside the U.S. (or for a “specific domestic purpose”)
AND - Average net income less than $8M for each of the past two fiscal years and
- Tangible book value less than $24M
OR - Compliance with NAICS-based small business size standards based on annual receipts or employees
NAICS Examples
![]() Software Publishers |
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![]() Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles |
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North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): A classification of business establishments by type of economic activity, found in the Code of Federal Regulations within the National Archives and Records Administration
NAICS Code: an annual receipts or number of employees test is provided
Computing Annual Receipts: The average of up to 5 years of historical information can be included, if available
Computing Employees: The average of up to 2 years of historical information can be included, if available
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