The Department of Defense (DOD) recently awarded the Kentucky APEX Accelerator with two Nunn-Perry awards for its work in the DOD Mentor-Protégé Program alongside Raytheon, an RTX business. Kentucky APEX Accelerator, an initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation dedicated to helping Kentucky businesses navigate the complex world of government contracting, is a member of two teams receiving the award among only six teams nationally.
“We’re incredibly grateful to be recognized alongside our partners for our work in supporting government contractors,” said Kentucky APEX Accelerator Executive Director Nancy Brown. “Our goal is to help businesses grow by demystifying the government contracting process. Through the Mentor-Protégé Program we can help both large prime contractors and small subcontractors, all while supporting our national defense goals.”
Established in 1990, the DOD Mentor-Protégé Program pairs large companies with small businesses to help large prime contractors meet their Small Disadvantaged Business subcontracting goals and enable small businesses to expand their footprint in the defense industry. The Nunn-Perry Award recognizes excellence for teams that demonstrate positive return on investment, technical assistance, protégé growth and impact on protégé development.
These teams include an experienced prime contractor that serves as the mentor to a small business, the protégé. They are also supported by a partner organization such as a Small Business Development Center, APEX Accelerator, Historically Black College or University, Minority Serving Institution of higher education, Women's Business Center, or a Manufacturing Innovation Institute. Partner organizations such as the Kentucky APEX Accelerator provide technical assistance, coaching and support to the Mentor-Protégé teams.
The winning teams supported by Kentucky APEX Accelerator are:
U.S. Navy: Raytheon, an RTX business (mentor); Tampa-Brass & Aluminum (protégé); Kentucky APEX Accelerator (partner)
U.S. Air Force: Raytheon, an RTX business (mentor); eMagin Corporation (protégé); California State University and Kentucky APEX Accelerator (partners)
The Kentucky APEX Accelerator previously won the Nunn-Perry Award in 2023 for its partnership with mentor Raytheon and protégé FUSE Integration.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedicated assistance our Kentucky APEX Accelerator team provides to businesses both large and small,” said Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation President Terry Samuel. “No matter their size, businesses receive personal, practical guidance through the contracting process, which can be difficult to navigate on your own.”
Kentucky APEX Accelerator was recognized with their partners during a ceremony at the DOD Mentor-Protégé Program Summit in Detroit, MI on August 1. The Summit also offered small businesses opportunities to learn from industry and government experts about strengthening supply chains and modernizing the nation’s defense industrial base through education, networking, and multilevel collaborations.
To learn more about the government contracting support offered by the Kentucky APEX Accelerator, including the Mentor-Protégé Program, contact us today.