Small Business Forum & Matchmaker/Business Networking

The Business and Enterprise Systems (BES) Small Business Office (SBO) is excited to host a Small Business Forum, as well as a Matchmaker and Business Networking Sessions Monday, 25 August, during breakout sessions at the 2025 Department of Air Force Information Technology & Cyberpower (DAFITC) Training and Education Event. 

The Forum themed Strengthening Small Business Participation in the Defense Industrial Base will be held during afternoon breakout sessions and will feature valuable information on the Air Force Mentor Protégé Program and the Small Business Innovation Research /Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs and how these initiatives can be leveraged to expand small business participation in federal acquisitions.

Mr. David Sikora, Department of the Air Force Mentor Protégé Program Manager and former Program Manager for the Department of Defense Small Business Innovative Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program, will be the presenter for the session. 

A roundtable conversation featuring SBIR awardees sharing insights, experiences and lessons learned will end the forum.  

The appointment only Matchmaker sessions will also take place on Monday, and the day will conclude with open Business Networking time, offering attendees a chance to connect and collaborate.  

For more information, please visit the Small Business Office website at https://www.airforcebes.af.mil/Units/Small-Business-Office/. Registration for the Forum is open and will remain open throughout the event.   

Registration for the Matchmaker session will be open until all slots are filled. Onsite registration for the Matchmaker event will not be available. 

To attend the Small Business events, you must be registered as an attendee for DAFITC.

If you have any questions, please contact the BES Strategic Communications team at besstratcomm@us.af.mil.

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