Where Defense Meets Innovation.

Apex Defense brings together warfighters, acquisition teams, technology startups, industry leaders, investors and SMEs to tackle urgent operational challenges - from seabed to space. 

This isn’t a “see-what’s-coming” expo. Apex is action-oriented - built to accelerate delivery of real-world, mission-critical solutions now. 

2026’s mission sets include sustaining dispersed or contested force operations, interoperable autonomous systems for multi-domain operations, countering undersea and missile threats, defending deployed forces and critical infrastructure, and more. 

Secure your spot now and join the decision-makers, innovators, and problem-solvers shaping immediate defense capability.

2026 Mission Sets

SUSTAINING FORCES IN A CONTESTED AND DISPERSED THEATRE OF OPERATIONS

ADVANCING INTEROPERABILITY AND INTEGRATION OF AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-DOMAIN OPERATIONS

DETECTING, IDENTIFYING AND DEFEATING LOW-COST, RAPIDLY PROLIFERATING UXS THREATS TO INFRASTRUCTURE, PERSONNEL AND MANOEUVRE FORCE

GAINING AN EDGE AND WINNING AUTONOMOUS WARFARE

GENERATING COMBAT POWER INSIDE THE ENEMY'S WEAPONS ENGAGEMENT ZONE

COUNTERING AGAINST NEXT-GEN UNDERSEA THREATS AND PROTECTING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

FIGHTING IN A CONTESTED EMS AND RETAINING ACCESS TO SPACE-BASED CAPABILITIES

PROTECTING DEPLOYED FORCES AND HOMELANDS FROM ADVANCED AIR AND MISSILE THREATS

MISSION-CRITICAL
The warfighter is at the spine of the program, with action-orientated discussion to tackle urgent operational challenges
NEAR-TERM
Engage directly with key decision-makers and operators who are actively seeking technologies for immediate deployment in the field

DEFENSE TECH
An environment designed for innovators and cutting-edge technology companies to connect with DOW and the broader defense ecosystem

Speakers

Partners

2026 Attendee Pricing

October 1 – October 31 | $450

November 1 – December 31 | $600

January 1 – January 26 | $650

*For Apex classification purposes, a Small Business Technology Provider is defined as a technology vendor under 50 employees.

**Academic registration is for full-time faculty and students at an academic institution.