MONTGOMERY, Ala. (February 26, 2026) — Montgomery TechLab continued to build momentum in Alabama’s growing defense and technology sectors with its Defense Accelerator Demo Day, held Wednesday, February 25, at the Eagle Institute in the KRESS Building. The event marked the culmination of the second cohort of the MTL Defense Accelerator, highlighting four companies developing dual-use technologies with applications across defense and commercial markets.
The eight-week accelerator supports founders from across the nation advancing solutions aligned with national security priorities, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced materials, autonomy, and energy infrastructure. Through direct access to defense expertise, strategic mentorship, and pathways into federal and prime contractor markets, the program positions Montgomery as a growing hub for defense-focused innovation and entrepreneurship, with benefits extending statewide.
“Programs like the Montgomery TechLab Defense Accelerator demonstrate how Montgomery is investing in innovation that drives economic growth, creates opportunity, and strengthens Alabama’s role in national defense,” said Mayor Steven Reed. “By supporting companies that are building real, deployable technologies, we are helping ensure that Montgomery remains a city where ideas scale, talent stays, and impact reaches far beyond our city limits-evidence of Montgomery’s momentum.”
During Demo Day, cohort companies presented live pitches and demonstrations to an audience of defense stakeholders, investors, academic partners, and ecosystem leaders, showcasing technologies with active pilots, real-world validation, and clear pathways to scale.
“This cohort reflects the caliber of innovation we are intentionally cultivating through Montgomery TechLab,” said Charisse Stokes, Partner Liaison for Montgomery TechLab. “Demo Day is about more than celebrating startups—it’s about showing how Montgomery is helping companies move from concept to deployment, while contributing to job creation, capital investment, and long-term economic growth for the city and the state of Alabama.”
Following a competitive national selection process, the 2026 Defense Accelerator cohort includes:
· Autonomous Federal — A dual-use innovation studio developing secure sensing platforms, AI-integrated infrastructure, and cyber command technologies for defense and national resilience missions.
· FibrX Inc. — A real-time, non-invasive corrosion and structural health monitoring platform using patented fiber-optic sensing and artificial intelligence to enable predictive maintenance for mission-critical infrastructure.
· Moonbase — A predictive AI platform that automates and accelerates the research and innovation lifecycle by surfacing insights from large-scale research data.
· Petra Power — Next-generation electrical power systems converting JP-8, diesel, and natural gas into electricity without combustion, delivering efficient power for expeditionary and austere environments.
The accelerator is delivered in partnership with Treble One, a nationally recognized defense advisory firm providing hands-on mentorship to help startups align technologies with real defense needs and market opportunities.
“These companies demonstrate strong technical depth and a clear understanding of real defense challenges,” said Brien House, Executive Director of Alabama Accelerators at Treble One. “Through this accelerator, we help founders bridge the gap between innovation and adoption—strengthening their market strategy and accelerating their path into the federal marketplace. The impact of that work benefits not just these companies, but the broader defense ecosystem across Alabama.”
The momentum from Demo Day carried into the following day’s Montgomery Chamber legislative breakfast, where Mike Rogers addressed business and civic leaders on the evolving national security landscape. His remarks emphasized the growing role of defense innovation, advanced technology, and private-sector collaboration in meeting future national security challenges-themes reflected in the work showcased at Montgomery TechLab’s Demo Day.
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