FLC Executive Director Paige George and Executive Board Vice Chair David Lee Discuss Inaugural Innovation for Impact Forum on The Federal Drive

On September 17, Federal News Network featured FLC Executive Director Paige George and Executive Board Vice Chair David Lee discussing Innovation for Impact: A National Security Technology Transfer Forum in an interview on The Federal Drive podcast and radio show.

The roughly 20-minute discussion with host Terry Gerton covered the scope and mission of the inaugural FLC event, which is geared toward professionals working across the national security innovation ecosystem. The event takes place Dec. 1–3 in Leesburg, Va.

The conversation centered around the disconnect between the discovery and development of exciting innovations and the ability to move them into operational use. They note that the Department of War (DoW) wants to focus on commercially developed technologies, opening up a new way for federal labs to partner with industry.

George and Lee discussed the mission and intent of Innovation for Impact by explaining that the FLC — and the federal labs and agencies it represents — can help small businesses and startups break into federal acquisition. The partnerships and technologies that result benefit businesses, federal labs, and the nation.

Innovation for Impact is designed to foster these types of connections by bringing federal and industry communities together at key points throughout the forum. Industry participation begins on the evening of Dec. 2 with a networking reception alongside federal attendees, kicking off the industry-focused portion of the event. Those conversations continue on Dec. 3 during Industry Engagement Day, with programming focused on helping industry better understand how to work with federal labs, explore technologies and research capabilities, and connect directly with federal representatives around potential partnerships and future collaboration.

To view the transcript of the podcast interview or listen to the episode itself, visit the Federal News Network here. To learn more about Innovation for Impact, visit the FLC's event page here. Registration for Innovation for Impact opens on Sept. 30.