Company Profile
Doolittle Institute (DI)
Company Overview
The Doolittle Institute, a DEFENSEWERX Hub and AFRL Innovation Institute, supports the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) by working to identify and foster new R&D partnerships, develop AFRL’s future and current workforce, enable rapid technology delivery to the warfighter, and license and commercialize AFRL technologies in the private sector.
Our corporate parent, DEFENSEWERX, has a mission to cultivate ecosystems that enable the acceleration of innovative solutions to benefit the warfighter and the nation. Its vision is to be a valued partner that creates innovative solutions to provide our nation a competitive advantage.
Company History
The Doolittle Institute (DI) was established in 2012 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit named in honor of James “Jimmy” Doolittle, commander of WWII’s historic Doolittle Raid. Today, DI provides Technology Transfer, Technology Transition, Innovation & Collaboration and Workforce Development solutions through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement(PIA) between DEFENSEWERX Inc and the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate(AFRL/RW).
Originally located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, DI was chartered to “create an innovative environment and bring the best of government, industry, and academia together to work the hardest science and technology problems while championing STEM education across all levels of society.” DI was also chartered “to enable a thriving State-Sponsored T2 Ecosystem centered on the NWFL Region, from Mobile to Tallahassee, but with Global reach and influence.”
In 2015, the Doolittle Institute expanded its customer base to include U.S. SOCOM with the establishment of SOFWERX. With guidance and support from former SOCOM acquisition executive James “Hondo” Guerts, SOFWERX grew to become a national model for defense innovation. The success of SOFWERX created significant interest in the Doolittle Institute as a DoD innovation partner.
To appeal to a broader audience and as a “Corporate” entity operating multiple facilities through PIAs, the Doolittle Institute announced in an August 2017 rebranding campaign it would begin doing business as DEFENSEWERX. Shortly thereafter, the 501(c)3 entity was officially renamed to DEFENSEWERX. Around the same time, the customer (Air Force Research Lab Munitions Directorate) chose to retain the name “Doolittle Institute” for the Northwest Florida DEFENSEWERX facility operated under the PIA between DEFENSEWERX and AFRL/RW.
In April 2018, both DEFENSEWERX and the Doolittle Institute relocated to Niceville, Florida.
Notable Products / Brands
Doolittle Institute, SOFWERX, MGMWERX, ERDCWERX, CFICWERX, NPSWERX
Notable Clients
Air Force Research Lab, US SOCOM, Air University, Army Cyber Command, Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Research Development Center, Naval Postgraduate School