More than 4,000 attendees, speakers and exhibitors gathered in Montgomery for the 2026 Department of the Air Force Information Technology & Cyberpower Conference, giving Montgomery TechLab an opportunity to showcase the city’s growing technology and defense ecosystem.
Over two days, Montgomery TechLab hosted four events connecting defense and technology companies with business leaders, students, ROTC cadets, military leaders and industry partners.
“DAFITC brings tremendous national visibility to Montgomery, but our focus is turning that visibility into year-round economic opportunity,” MTL Executive Director Charisse Stokes said. “We are building an ecosystem where companies can grow, entrepreneurs can access customers and capital, talent can develop, and industry, government and education can connect. That is how technology becomes an economic development strategy for Montgomery.”
One of those efforts put emerging defense technology companies in front of industry and government leaders.
After completing an 11-week Montgomery TechLab Defense Accelerator program powered by Treble One, Culper Systems, DDC-I, Moro Motion and Omega Security pitched technologies aimed at defense challenges during Demo Day on the DAFITC exhibit floor. Moro Motion was named the winner and received $10,000 in non-dilutive funding.
The focus shifted to the next generation Aug. 26 with the innovateDAFITC Hackathon & Cyber Challenge. High school students from across Central Alabama competed in a Capture the Flag cybersecurity competition, solving challenges and cracking codes while working alongside technology professionals and learning about careers supporting the nation’s cyber mission.
Montgomery TechLab also connected ROTC cadets with senior military, civilian and defense professionals for conversations about leadership, service and career pathways.
The organization’s efforts continue throughout the year, connecting assets including Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex, universities, government, industry and entrepreneurs as Montgomery works to attract technology companies, investment and jobs.
“Montgomery already has tremendous assets,” Stokes said. “Our opportunity is connecting them in ways that create measurable economic impact. We want companies to see Montgomery as a place to innovate and grow, students to see a future for themselves in technology, and industry and defense leaders to see Montgomery as a place where meaningful partnerships happen.”
