Defense Incubator Produces First $$$$ Results, But Details Are $ecret

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The high-tech defense industry incubator in Fayetteville has helped incubate the first contract for its clients.

Unfortunately, the staff at the year-old Defense and Security Technology Accelerator, including head man Scott Perry, are mum about the details. And Perry, a former Special Forces veteran, knows how to keep secrets.

What the DSTA folks can tell us is that Saffron Technology, which is based in the Triangle, and Anakam, a California firm, have won an defense and security deal for an unnamed government agency.

Given the specialties of these two companies, however, one can deduce that the project is not for a new assault rifle or explosive device.

Saffron develops cutting-edge analytics and prediction “tools,” as the firm calls them. Its clients include defense and intelligence agencies, according to the corporate web site.

Anakam, meanwhile, focuses on sophisticated authentication and identity management.

You can draw your own conclusions about what the Saffron-Anakam black project is all about.

DSTA didn’t disclose financial terms, either.

Saffron and Anakam both have a presence at the incubator. And DSTA helped coordinate the project, a DSTA spokesperson says. The companies acknowledged DSTA’s help – but little else.

“DSTA’s leadership facilitated the process, from its inception, of bringing companies together to deliver a compelling business solutions for our clients,” said Brent Williams, chief technology officer at Anakam, in a statement.

Added Gayle Sheppard, Saffron’s top executive: “DSTA is directly responsible for helping our business growth, bringing more high technology work to North Carolina, and building a cooperative relationship between member companies that will directly benefit the war fighter.”

DSTA has accepted 12 companies that want the opportunity to work with the military and intelligence agencies. They hope to commercialize technology developed by the government or work with the agencies to develop technology they need. DSTA is also setting up a wireless technology lab for development of battlefield communications with funding provided by Congress.