City of Fairfax, VA – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), in partnership with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), hosted a one-of-a-kind Reverse Pitch Day focused on sensors and autonomy technologies on June 26, 2026, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center.
The event included representatives from the Department of the Navy, defense industry, and academia to facilitate the transition of federal technology into commercial and defense sectors. Participants had access to Navy technical experts and technology transfer professionals to discuss licensing and partnership opportunities.
The Reverse Pitch Day stemmed from a 2025 Partnership Intermediary Agreement between NSWCCD and Fairfax City Economic Development. Through the Capital Tech Bridge initiative, the event focused on NSWCCD-developed maritime technologies—like robotics and autonomous systems—to facilitate technology transfer, licensing, and industry collaboration.
The event program featured contributions from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) leadership and subject matter experts regarding pathways for external collaboration. Dr. John Barkyoumb and Dr. Joe Teter provided an overview of the organization’s technology transfer portfolio and industry partnership opportunities. Patent IP Attorney Jesus Hernandez detailed federal intellectual property processes and licensing pathways, while Major Jacob Godfrey examined partnership mechanisms intended to accelerate the commercialization of technology developed at the center.
At the Reverse Pitch Day, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) inventors presented four technologies with commercial and defense potential. Arthur Nwokoye introduced Magnon Excitation and Detection Systems for advanced smart sensor capabilities, while Scott Ziv presented a device for in-situ monitoring in additive manufacturing, enabling real-time quality control. Sasha Tsarev demonstrated a maneuvering and control simulator designed to support the testing and development of autonomous underwater vehicles. Finally, Nikko Miniello showcased a system for the autonomous fueling of unmanned surface vehicles, addressing infrastructure needs for extended maritime operations. These presentations highlighted NSWCCD’s commitment to technology transfer and collaboration with industry and academia.
“Fairfax City provided an important connection point between federal research capabilities and the region’s technology community,” said Colleen Kardasz, CEO and Director of Fairfax City Economic Development. “The partnership helped create opportunities for collaboration that supported both national security priorities and regional economic development.”
Through the Capital Tech Bridge initiative, NSWCCD and FCED created new opportunities for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and research institutions to engage with federal laboratories, access government-developed intellectual property, and contribute to the advancement of next-generation defense technologies.
Reverse Pitch Day attendee, Gopal Reddy, Director for Genesis Infosolutions, Inc, said “sensory database in tracking content on a website platform is a nuanced dashboard technology” which brought him to this event.
Timothy Tingler, President of Quest Knight Enterprise indicated that he was interested in a couple of the patents being discussed and that “Reverse Pitch Day was a valuable event for him to attend.
“Our company was looking to bid on a Carderock contract. We ended up not bidding on that but we still want to get work there so I can here to learn more due to my personal interest in Carderock assets,” said Ariana Giovagnoli, Control Engineer and Program Manager at Fusion ICS. “We do a lot of work with the Navy. Our company will hit 60 at the end of this month so we are not quite small anymore.”
As part of Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) is the Navy’s primary research and development center for maritime engineering and naval technologies. Headquartered in West Bethesda, Maryland, it supports the design, testing, and advancement of surface ships, submarines, and unmanned systems.
The division’s mission areas include naval architecture, platform integrity, signatures, and advanced technologies. With facilities across the United States, NSWCCD delivers solutions to maintain maritime superiority. Companies and individuals interested in Carderock’s patent portfolio can contact Joseph
City of Fairfax Manager Dan Alexander shared a few heartfelt words after the session’s lunch networking. He mentioned that the City was proud to host this event and looks forward to the ideas, partnerships, and opportunities that arise from this first of its kind and similar events in the future.
Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) fosters local innovation and business growth through partnerships with government, industry, and academia. The Reverse Pitch Day exemplifies how these collaborations bridge the gap between federal research and commercial application.
