2026 Business Growth Lab: Real Deals, Real Partners, Real Pipeline - HYBRID

Hands-on strategy session to build your 2026 GovCon & grants pipeline with real deals, partners, opportunities. AM and PM sessions - HYBRID

About this Event

TEST TEST TEST 🔥 2026 BUSINESS GROWTH LAB: REAL DEALS. REAL PARTNERS. REAL PIPELINE🔥

January 14, 2026 • Neptune SHIELD, Virginia Beach • Hybrid (In-Person + Virtual)
Two identical sessions. Choose AM (10:00–1:30) or PM (4:00–7:30).

This is not another inspirational event. It’s a working lab to lock in your 2026 revenue, partnerships, and pipeline before January hits.

Most teams walk into 2026 without:
• A clear partner map
• A focused target list
• Warm pathways into the right rooms
• A trackable pipeline
• A plan they actually execute

That’s what we fix in this Lab.

🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEAVE WITH

By the end of your session, you will walk out with:

✔️ Your 2026 Deal & Partnership Map
A clear picture of who your customers and partners should be: primes, agencies, universities, tech firms, integrators, DoD programs, and commercial anchors.

✔️ 3–5 High-Value Targets Identified
Specific organizations that align with your niche, capabilities, and growth goals.

✔️ A Simple, Actionable Pipeline Dashboard
A no-fluff template to track deals, partners, and progress throughout 2026.

✔️ Warm Introductions or Clear Pathways
Guidance on who to connect with, how to approach them, and warm pathways where available.

✔️ Insight Into 2026 Demand Signals
Clarity on where real opportunities exist across defense, cyber, AI, energy, maritime, and critical infrastructure.

📊 INSIDE THE LAB

Strategy & Signals (Briefings)
You’ll get short, focused briefings on:
• 2026 funding, programs, and procurement signals
• Where real opportunities exist (beyond headlines and noise)
• Local, regional, and national partner landscapes
• What primes, agencies, and universities are prioritizing
• How to avoid repeating 2025’s mistakes in 2026

Working Lab (Build Sessions)
Then we shift into guided, small-group working time where you will:
• Map your 2026 revenue + partnership plan
• Identify your highest-value targets
• Build your 2026 pipeline dashboard
• Clarify your next 30–60–90 day moves

Hybrid-Friendly
Virtual attendees join via a dedicated online breakout with live facilitation and full access to templates and worksheets.

🧭 WHO THIS IS FOR

This Lab is designed for:
• Founders and small business owners
• GovCon teams planning to grow in 2026
• Tech leaders in defense, energy, cyber, AI, maritime, XR, or infrastructure
• Startups entering the Hampton Roads innovation ecosystem
• Partners, leaders, and PMs who want real collaboration, not just another coffee meeting

If you want 2026 to be the year you build, not just plan, you belong in this room.

🎟 TICKET OPTIONS

🎟 General Access — $47
For first-time attendees or those exploring GovCon, grants, or new opportunities.
Includes:
• Full session access (AM or PM)
• Opportunity overview
• Networking with peers

🎟 Pro Access — $297 (Most Popular)
For professionals and organizations who want alignment and actionable next steps.
Includes:
• Mandatory intake call
• Personalized opportunity alignment
• Curated introductions
• Customized 2026 action plan
• Priority seating

🎟 VIP Partner Table — $1,250
For teams and organizations seeking higher visibility and leverage.
Includes:
• Reserved VIP partner table
• All Pro Access benefits for your group
• Highlighted introductions
• Expanded opportunity alignment
• Organizational visibility throughout the session

If cost is the only barrier, reach out — we don’t want that to be the reason you’re not in the room.

📅 FORMAT & ACCESS

In-Person (AM or PM Session)
Includes:
• Full-session participation
• Templates + pipeline dashboard
• Small-group working sessions
• Networking & partner pathways
• Coffee + refreshments

Virtual Access (AM or PM Session)
Includes:
• Livestream of all briefings
• Virtual working lab access
• All templates + worksheets
• Follow-up resources

Both sessions (AM and PM) deliver the same content, speakers, and outcomes.
Choose the time that works best for you.

🛡 ABOUT NEPTUNE SHIELD

Neptune SHIELD is a 15,000 sq ft innovation hub in Virginia Beach serving defense, technology, and critical infrastructure teams through:
• Partner development
• R&D and innovation programs
• Workforce & talent pipelines
• Collaboration ecosystems
• Founder support
• Technology acceleration

We help mission-driven businesses grow locally, nationally, and globally.

Hampton Roads is entering a major growth window across defense innovation, maritime tech, energy, cyber, AI, and infrastructure. The organizations that prepare now will win in 2026. This Lab gives you the clarity, structure, and connections to be one of them.

📍 LOCATION

Neptune SHIELD Innovation Center
448 Viking Drive
Virginia Beach, VA

Free parking • Minutes from Town Center
Hybrid: in-person and virtual options available

If you’re serious about growth in 2026, this is where your real pipeline starts.

Agenda


🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:50 AM
2026 Business Growth Lab - January 14 2025 - AM Session

Info: Check In & Networking

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome & 2026 Operating Picture (25 minutes)
Host: Neptune SHIELD Leadership

Info: ✅ 2026 expectations for founders & GovCon teams

✅ How to maximize the Growth Lab

✅ What you will walk away with

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:40 AM
Pentagon Priorities for 2026
Host: Robin Fortner Former CoS, Under Sec of the Navy

Info: ✅Shifts in Navy & Pentagon priorities

✅What senior leaders expect from industry

✅How small businesses align to readiness, modernization & speed

✅Leadership during turbulent times. How to stay resilient, decisive, and effective when operating under pressure

🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:05 AM
AI, Cyber & Federal Modernization (25 minutes)
Host: Sally Kenyon Grant, VP, Federal Affairs, Claroty

Info: ✅Federal investments in AI, cyber & autonomous defense tech

✅How to stand out in modernization efforts

✅How to align your capability to real mission needs

🕑: 11:05 AM - 11:00 AM
Innovation Pathways & SBIR/STTR (25 minutes)
Host: Tina Bove CEO, Arrogate | PM, NavalX MATB

Info: ✅How the DoW scouts & adopts emerging technology

✅What “partner-ready” actually means

✅How to navigate SBIR, STTR, OTAs & innovation pipelines

🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:55 AM
XR, Digital Twins & Future Training Systems (25 minutes)
Host: Marryam Chaudhry CEO, XR2LEAD

Info: ✅XR, AI & simulation trends reshaping defense

✅Where immersive tech fits in future DoD priorities

✅How small businesses enter high-tech readiness ecosystems

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
WORKING LAB BLOCK

Info: ✅ Identify Your 3–5 High-Value Targets (25 minutes) ✅ Build Your 2026 Deal & Partnership Map (30 minutes) ✅ Create Your 2026 Pipeline Dashboard (25 minutes) ✅ Final Q&A, Commitments & Closeout (15 minutes)

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