# TechConnect

> TechConnect is an innovation scouting, matchmaking and events business within nonprofit Advanced Technology International. It runs sponsor-led challenges, technology sprints, accelerators and conferences that connect startups, researchers and other technology providers with corporations, investors and government buyers.

- **Founded:** 1998
- **Headquarters:** Austin, United States
- **Founders:** Matthew Laudon (Co-founder; Vice President, TechConnect Division, ATI), Bart Romanowicz (Co-founder; historical CTO; senior advisor in current event biographies), Sarah Wenning (Co-founder; operations leader)
- **Products:** Technology scouting and landscape assessments, Technology sprints, Innovation challenges and prize competitions, Accelerator programs, TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo
- **Notable:** 2022 Mondelez engineering sprint received seven responses; client expressed interest in engaging one respondent and retained interest in a second., 2022 Medical Innovation Challenge offered $250,000 in prizes and drew 145 applicants across eight countries., 2023 Space Innovation Challenge drew 137 applicants, selected 23 pitch finalists and awarded five $10,000 prizes.

## Products & services

- **Technology scouting and landscape assessments** — Sponsor-led discovery of technology and expertise, including assessments that can keep the sponsor anonymous.
- **Technology sprints** — Focused calls for solutions or specialist expertise against a defined client problem.
- **Innovation challenges and prize competitions** — Design, recruitment, evaluation and pitch programs connecting technology providers with sponsor priorities.
- **Accelerator programs** — Programs supporting cohorts and one-to-one connections with innovation sponsors.
- **TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo** — Research, commercialization, technical symposia, innovation pitches and exhibitions across multiple technology sectors.
- **Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit and Expo** — Events connecting technology innovators with national security and government innovation needs.
- **TechConnect Briefs** — Open-access library describing more than 10,000 applications-focused research papers associated with Nanotech and TechConnect World conferences.

## Achievements

- 2022 Mondelez engineering sprint received seven responses; client expressed interest in engaging one respondent and retained interest in a second.
- 2022 Medical Innovation Challenge offered $250,000 in prizes and drew 145 applicants across eight countries.
- 2023 Space Innovation Challenge drew 137 applicants, selected 23 pitch finalists and awarded five $10,000 prizes.
- TechConnect reports a 500,000-person innovation ecosystem.

## Latest updates

- **—** — As checked October 8, 2026, Critical Technology Spotlights is listed as an active opportunity with a November 18, 2026 deadline; publication date unspecified.
- **2026-03** — Sourcewell Ventures Civic Solutions Challenge listed a March 26, 2026 entry deadline.
- **—** — TechConnect World’s site advertises its next conference for March 23-25, 2027 in Boston; publication date unspecified.

## Links

- Website: https://techconnect.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/techconnectorg
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/techconnect360

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/techconnect
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08