The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) initiated the formation of the Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) Working Group in collaboration with the following members:
- Executive Director of the Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force,
- Secretary of Economic Development,
- Secretary of Education,
- Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development,
- Director of Federal Funds within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance,
- Executive Director of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center,
- Executive Director of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, and
- Executive Director of Mass Ventures.
The SHIELD Working Group will engage and activate defense sector leaders to catalyze collaboration amongst the broader technology and innovation ecosystem in support of economic and national security while addressing critical challenges. This Working Group shall:
- Promote research and development initiatives and partnerships that advance emerging technologies that are critical to economic and national security;
- Build upon partnerships between military institutions, private industry and academic research centers to strengthen public-private relationships, ensure access for small and medium businesses to opportunities, drive innovation and ensure the integrity of critical domestic supply chains;
- Support initiatives that enhance STEM education, workforce training and talent retention in defense-related fields in alignment with the Massachusetts defense sector’s current and future needs; and
- Identify and pursue federal and state funding opportunities that support research, prototyping, development, technology commercialization, adoption and deployment of technologies for defense applications and defense industrial base adoption.