Washington, DC - Last Wednesday, the D3 Innovation Summit was held at the U.S. Department of State. A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the event brought together experts from across the U.S. Government and the private sector to discuss emerging technologies and collaborative, whole-of-government innovation essential to solving global challenges.
The Summit’s main event, the D3 Pitch Challenge, featured six finalist teams—selected from nearly 500 employee submissions across State, DoD, and USAID—who developed proposals on how the United States might leverage new technologies to advance U.S. diplomacy, defense, and development goals.
Finalists presented their proposals before a senior government panel, featuring Catherine Novelli, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment; U.S. Air Force General Paul Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Eric Postel, Associate Administrator of USAID.
Team 1: “3-D Building Printing for the Advancement of GeoPolitical Objectives”
A proposal to construct infrastructure and facilities at austere bases or in post-disaster areas more efficiently and economically through new advances in 3-D printing technologies. The proposal was recognized by the panel with the “Greatest Impact” certificate.
Team 2: “Operation Crow: Saving Lives at the Last Mile”
A proposal to use unmanned aerial vehicles to improve the delivery of healthcare supplies and medical tracking in rural, isolated, and conflict-ridden areas.
Team 3: “Active Shooter Protection System”
A proposal to develop a system that strengthens emergency response capabilities in U.S. embassies, consulates, and other facilities in the United States or abroad by using a shooter-activated alarm system. The proposal was recognized by the panel with the “Metrics” certificate and the “Feasibility” certificate.
Team 4: “Unleashing the Informal Economy: Lighting the Match on Dark Data”
A proposal to use advances in geotagging and data analytics to strengthen U.S. Open Government partnerships globally by finding data that helps public institutions meet good governance commitments.
Team 5: “Sustainable Microgrids: Building Stability and Capacity in Regions of U.S. Strategic Interest”
A proposal from an interagency team to develop innovative infrastructure models to connect and secure energy transfer between solar, wind, and water sources for communities in developing countries and austere bases abroad.
Team 6: “Space Solar – Clean, Constant, & Global”
A proposal to use space-based solar power technologies for renewable energy. The proposal was recognized by the panel with the “Collaboration” certificate, the “Presentation” certificate, and the “Innovation” certificate. In addition, the proposal was recognized with the “D3 People’s Choice Award,” selected through a vote among participants at the event.
