Wright Brothers Institute

Overview

The Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is a nonprofit organization based in Dayton, Ohio, established in 2002. It focuses on fostering research and development collaborations, technology innovation, and problem-solving for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and national security challenges in aerospace. WBI serves as a neutral connector among universities, small businesses, industry, government agencies, and international experts, facilitating technology transfer and stimulating regional economic development.

WBI specializes in energizing R&D collaborations through its 25,000 sq. ft. Tec^Edge Innovation and Collaboration Center, which includes various labs and a high-tech prototyping environment. The organization employs facilitation methods such as design sprints and workshops to accelerate innovation and align solutions with Air Force needs. Key achievements include delivering significant cost savings, securing grants for AI expansion, and contributing to the innovation district in downtown Dayton. WBI has collaborated with a range of partners, including the U.S. Air Force, local universities, and various industry leaders.

Basic Information

Contact Details

• Phone: +1 937-424-8661
• Website: wbi-innovates.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wright-brothers-institute

Key Focus Areas & Initiatives

• Research and development collaborations
• Technology innovation for aerospace and defense
• Facilitating public-private partnerships
• STEM education and workforce development
• Prototyping and technology commercialization
• Open innovation and innovation workshops
• Defense research and system integration
• Regional economic development stimulation

Technologies Used

• Oracle Cloud
• Outlook
• Slack
• Zoho Email

Buyer Teams to Target

Research & Development

• Director of Research
• Aerospace Project Lead
• Innovation Program Manager
• Defense Technology Specialist
• Prototyping Lab Manager
• Data Science Analyst

Innovation & Strategy

• Chief Innovation Officer
• Strategy Lead
• Tech Commercialization Analyst
• Open Innovation Manager
• Innovation Workshop Facilitator
• Collaboration Program Coordinator

STEM Education & Community Engagement

• STEM Program Director
• Education Outreach Coordinator
• Community Engagement Manager
• Workforce Development Lead
• Training Specialist
• Academic Partnerships Manager

IT & Operations

• IT Manager
• Systems Administrator
• Digital Transformation Lead
• Operations Director
• Project Manager
• Facility Manager

What They Buy

• Cloud infrastructure and hosting solutions
• Project management and collaboration software
• Prototyping and lab equipment
• Data analytics and visualization tools
• STEM education technology platforms
• Defense and aerospace R&D services
• Innovation consulting and facilitation services

Signals to Watch

• 📆 Posting of new R&D openings or STEM roles
• 🛰️ Announcing new aerospace or defense projects
• 💰 Receiving grants or funding for innovation initiatives
• 🔬 Launching new labs or expanding prototyping facilities
• 🤝 Forming partnerships with government or industry
• 🗣️ Hosting innovation workshops or events