Emerging Technology Institute (ETI), a private tech company with a 165,000-square-foot facility, will be hosting the US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) Technical Experimentation event 26-4 from Sept. 14-18, 2026. This five-day event is an opportunity for tech companies from around the world to meet with, pitch and get feedback from the soldiers who could potentially be using their technology. 

Founder and President of ETI James Freeman said, “The purpose of the event is for businesses both large and small to demonstrate their emerging technologies that are relevant to the event’s theme. If selected, they will be paired with a USSOCOM element, which will work with that company to get feedback on their technology… this is the beta test…this is an opportunity to ask real soldiers what is helpful for them.” 

This is the fourth year that ETI has hosted the event, and in years past Freeman has seen a host of innovative technology including various drone types and programming, robotic dogs, 3D printed houses and airspace scanners. This year’s theme is Signature Management and Defeat, which has to do with the process of identifying and modifying the electromagnetic signature of military assets to reduce detection, as well as more efficiently detecting enemy signatures. 

The Request for Information (RFI) posted on sam.gov says the event “...will be a best-of-breed challenge for developers to demonstrate their capability to USSOCOM in an operationally focused vignette. Technologies that support signature management will be pitted against technologies designed to defeat signature management capabilities.” 

USSOCOM’s Technical Experimentation Program encourages anyone considering applying for consideration to thoroughly read the RFI. It can be found by going to sam.gov and searching for “Signature Management and Defeat.” The webpage includes safety guidelines and a deliberate risk assessment worksheet along with the RFI.

For Freeman, it is important that small businesses from the Carolinas are represented among the companies selected to participate in this event. 

“I really want to see North Carolina and South Carolina represented in these 50-80 companies that will be participating. There will be 350-400 people every day on site,” Freeman said. “This is a great opportunity for local companies to represent, and I want to see them put their money where their mouth is. We often talk about seeking opportunities for local small businesses, and here it is right in front of people.” 

It is important to note that these events are by invitation only and are not open to the general public.

Freeman used to work for UNCP’s small business incubator, so thriving small businesses and communities are a passion for him. He sees the way that these events at the ETI facility boost the economy of Red Springs. He says the hotels fill up, the gas stations are busy and even the grocery stores are selling in higher numbers. He understands how difficult and daunting it can be to get a foot in the door with military contracting, but he’s also seen the amazing benefits of working with the Army.

Freeman used to work for UNCP’s small business incubator, so thriving small businesses and communities are a passion for him. He sees the way that these events at the ETI facility boost the economy of Red Springs. He says the hotels fill up, the gas stations are busy and even the grocery stores are selling in higher numbers. He understands how difficult and daunting it can be to get a foot in the door with military contracting, but he’s also seen the amazing benefits of working with the Army.

When Freeman, who is native to the area and a Lumbee Tribal Citizen, was first attempting to get into government contracting, he experienced prejudice and was told that Native Americans didn’t have a place in the Army. Later, a civilian contractor working with the military gave Freeman the idea for a facility to run training and events like these. He found the warehouse while going through a haunted house and quickly began building the business from there. Through his perseverance and finding military leadership of high character who were willing to work with him, he was able to establish many lasting partnerships that have allowed ETI to flourish.

“This is our fourth year hosting the Technical Experimentation,” Freeman shared. “I’ve seen companies that participated in the event a couple of years ago with drones are now making fleets of drones. We’ve made some great partnerships and working relationships. That’s what this is all about.”

This is just one of many trainings, demonstrations and events that ETI organizes and hosts throughout the year. 

An important tip from Freeman: any business that is selected for this event needs to bring their engineers/ technology developers. There will be technical questions and demonstrations that only an engineer can handle.