The Defense Alliance Foundation (DAF), an independent, North Carolina-based nonprofit organization, is setting its focus on Fayetteville and Fort Bragg to expand government contracting opportunities for local businesses.
The DAF was established on April 11, 2023, starting with a mission to foster and support scientific research, education and charitable activities in support of national defense, public health and innovation across the state.

DAF leadership is made up of a dedicated team, serving as directors and members of the board of advisors, with each one providing guidance in their unique fields.
“I couldn’t be more blessed to have this type of expertise and feedback as a part of our [organization],” shared DAF Chairman Phil Williams. “There are no employees. It’s an all-volunteer organization.”

Using an open non-commercial model and following strict guidelines to maintain an IRS 501(c)(3) public charity status that enables free public access to knowledge, tools and partnerships, the DAF is focusing on areas of interest highlighted in the 2026 Department of Defense budget.

Termed “emerging clusters” where NC universities and innovators have focus, specified areas of interest include:

• Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
• CHIPS for America
• Ocean, maritime and space science (blue economy)
• Cybersecurity
• Renewable energy
• Next generation batteries and materials
• Robotics
• Wide bandgap semiconductors “With regards to the budgets for the Department of Defense, parts of the budgets are going to be growing in specific areas: hypersonic weapons, unmanned air systems and counter unmanned air systems. With these changes, there’s a lot of adjustment to where you can find funding and how you can work with the government, specifically the Department of Defense,” shared Dr. Stephen Lee, DAF advisor board member and founder of AdvisorLee, LLC. “Those are opportunities, and I think that the DAF is perfectly suited to move ahead and take advantage of these changing opportunities and really build productive relationships.” 

The DAF organizes forums, symposiums, workshops and educational events across North Carolina to explore emerging technologies and defense challenges, providing insights and opportunities for Veterans, underserved communities and innovative ecosystems. Since its creation, the DAF has hosted more than 170 science and technology forums to drive collaboration between academic researchers, military organizations and small businesses.

“When I think about the DAF and the way it brings so many parties together, both individuals and organizations, it’s like a human breathing,” shared Advisor Board Member and Attorney David Hayden. “You’ve got to let people have an opportunity to connect, whether it’s online or whether it’s in a simple location.”

Through the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation’s (FCEDC) recent acquisition of a 35,800 square-foot facility, previously a well-known furniture store, located in downtown Fayetteville, the DAF has the perfect location for future in-person collaboration for the Fayetteville/ Fort Bragg area.

Through a collaborative partnership, the DAF is uniquely positioned to serve as a neutral facilitator and knowledge hub, with plans already in the works to use the space to bring together Fort Bragg units, academic partners and industry leaders.

The space will also provide unique security clearances to local businesses for educational events to teach them how they can begin contracting with
the DoD.

“We believe in what’s being done by Phil and the Foundation, and we want to work with companies that are partners around our new talent portal building that we’ve acquired and are looking to build out,” shared FCEDC President & CEO, Robert Van Geons. “We want to be a center for applied innovation in Fayetteville.”

Van Geons shared that the building will serve as a physical space where next generation and emerging problems for the military can be solved efficiently by companies in the private and public sectors.
“We are going to use this place to be a flexible and adaptive place for innovating defense and technology companies looking to get started here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, or perhaps have their first operations here in our community, where they can recruit transitioning soldiers, where they can train their future workers and where they can demonstrate and vet their new technologies, displaying them for potential use by military or by other private or public sector users.”

DAF leaders are already envisioning an education event at the space they hope will take place later this year.