Gov. Gianforte, MSU Increase Opportunities for Montana Companies in Defense Industry

Governor's Office

BOZEMAN, Mont. - Joining Montana State University (MSU) President Brock Tessman, Governor Greg Gianforte on Friday celebrated the university's designation as a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub to bring together researchers and Montana companies to scale up technologies for use in defense projects.

"Montana is being recognized on the national stage for what we've always known - under our big skies, the opportunity to innovate is endless," Gov. Gianforte said. "Through the DIU OnRamp Hub, Montana entrepreneurs are better positioned than ever before to showcase their world-class technologies and support our national security."

Gov. Gianforte cutting the ribbon to celebrate Montana State University's designation as a DIU OnRamp Hub during a ceremony held in Bozeman

The DIU is designating hubs across the United States to build a commercial technology network to connect companies, labs, bases, accelerators, academic partners, and investors to the Department of War (DoW) to rapidly field technologies for national defense. MSU stated that academic researchers and companies who believe their commercially successful technologies may be of interest to the DoW can work with the hub to move proposals forward.

"The OnRamp program will connect the state-of-the-art facilities MSU has in place for secure defense research and our talented faculty and researchers with opportunities to strengthen America's national security," MSU President Brock Tessman said. "It's a great example of MSU contributing to the vitality of our state and nation through its research enterprise."

"The DIU OnRamp Hub brings together Montana State University, researchers and the private sector to collaborate with commercial companies and the Department of Defense in ways that can drive innovation, economic growth and national impact," said Leif Ibsen, managing director of MSU's DIU OnRamp Hub. "The OnRamp will serve as the DIU open front door between dual-use commercial market technology and the DoW."

In addition to Montana, institutions in Kentucky and Minnesota were awarded DIU OnRamp Hub status. Other states with previously designated hubs are Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas, Ohio, and Washington.

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