Case Study: Transitioning Advanced Cybersecurity Technology from Research to Market
The Challenge
A small technology firm had developed an innovative cybersecurity platform designed to detect vulnerabilities in operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS). Traditional red team assessments were resource-intensive, slow, and required deep expertise in reverse engineering. The Navy and other agencies needed a portable, automated tool that non-experts could use to assess embedded systems for hidden and zero-day vulnerabilities.
The Innovation
The company created a software platform capable of rapidly analyzing binary code from embedded and cyber-physical devices. By applying advanced artificial intelligence and automated vulnerability analysis, the tool could deliver high-confidence results within minutes. This represented a leap forward in efficiency—compressing what once required weeks of manual work into automated processes accessible to Sailors, Marines, and civilian operators alike.
Consulting Support
As part of the Navy’s SBIR/STTR Transition Program, I worked with the firm to:
Conduct market research and competitive analyses to position the technology effectively in both defense and commercial sectors.
Identify transition opportunities across Navy warfare centers, other military branches, and critical infrastructure industries.
Refine the value proposition and messaging for non-technical stakeholders.
Provide feedback on commercialization strategies, including business models, partnerships, and pricing structures.
The Outcome
The technology has since advanced to full commercial availability, with trademarks secured and a growing set of use cases beyond defense—including manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and smart cities. The platform is now positioned as a dual-use solution, protecting critical national infrastructure while creating new commercial revenue streams.
Impact
By bridging the gap between R&D and commercialization, this project demonstrates how structured consulting support in the STP program can accelerate the transition of breakthrough technologies. The result is a stronger defense posture, reduced risk of costly cyber incidents, and expanded commercial potential for the small business innovator.
Want to accelerate the transition of your innovation?
Contact: Kevin Marrs, PhD, MSc, PMP — Translational Pathways Consulting
Case Study: Long-Endurance UAS — From R&D to Government Traction
Client
A U.S. aerospace firm building a long-endurance Group-III–class UAS.
Challenge
Transition an R&D-funded platform into broader defense adoption while exploring commercial use cases. The team needed market alignment, crisp positioning, and visibility with program offices and integrators.
Approach
Market & Competitive Landscape – Sized opportunities, mapped buyers, and prioritized points of contact across defense and industry.
Transition Playbook – Crafted value propositions, prepared transition briefs, and supported stakeholder engagement.
Commercialization & SWOT – Assessed market fit and recommended targeted go-to-market paths.
Cross-Sector Pathways – Outlined adoption routes across multiple defense branches and commercial sectors.
Executive Materials – Developed a concise transition one-pager/quad-style brief highlighting endurance, modular payloads, and ops flexibility.
Outcomes
Recognized by a U.S. naval customer as a standout small-business R&D success.
Positioned for Phase III-style follow-on opportunities with government and primes.
Received a national aerospace innovation award.
Moving into expanded defense and commercial adoption.
Need help crossing the “last mile” of adoption?
Contact: Kevin Marrs, PhD, MSc, PMP — Translational Pathways
Case Study: Advanced Cybersecurity Innovation
Bridging AI-Driven Detection to Navy Transition
Client
An advanced security solutions and technology business specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity engineering. The company participated in the Navy SBIR/STTR Transition Program (STP) with a focus on protecting Department of Defense networks from evolving cyber threats.
Challenge
The company developed an innovative AI/ML tool designed to detect anomalous communication on networks—capable of identifying zero-day threats and enhancing industrial control system resilience. To move from SBIR-funded development into wider Navy adoption and commercial markets, they needed a clear transition strategy, positioning, and communication tools.
Approach
Market Research & Competitive Analysis — Conducted in-depth research to identify transition opportunities, customer interest, and key Government and Prime Contractor points of contact.
Transition Planning — Advised on preparing transition strategies, crafting compelling value propositions, and promoting the technology to end users and potential integrators.
Commercialization Strategy — Assessed commercialization potential, conducted SWOT analyses, and recommended targeted go-to-market approaches.
Cross-Sector Opportunity Identification — Mapped transition pathways across the Department of the Navy, other service branches, and commercial markets.
SBIR Transition Deliverables — Supported the development of a Navy SBIR Transition Program quad chart to communicate value and market applications.
Outcome
The company’s AI-driven cybersecurity tool was successfully tested in Navy labs, validated for high detection accuracy and low false positives.
The Navy moved forward with a Phase III engineering services contract and software license agreement.
The company extended outreach to other DoD branches, federal agencies, and critical infrastructure markets.
Anonymized Navy STP Quad Chart Quote
“The quad chart was hands down the most valuable communication tool we developed throughout the entirety of the program. That was more important than building call lists and writing a plan because the quad chart was the document we could hand to every potential contact… It forced us to think in different ways about commercialization and how to frame our story. That was vital for overall success.”
Turning algorithms into outcomes. Need help bridging the gap to real-world adoption?”
Contact: Kevin Marrs, PhD, MSc, PMP — Translational Pathways
Case Study: Tactical Edge Networking – From R&D to Operational Adoption
Client
A defense technology company specializing in communications and networking at the tactical edge.
Challenge
The client sought to transition a next-generation network architecture and related controller technologies into service programs. Success required clear articulation of warfighter value, competitive positioning, and identification of adoption pathways across defense and commercial markets.
Consulting Support
As part of a government SBIR/STTR transition support program, we:
Conducted market research and competitive analyses to identify transition opportunities and key government/prime contractor contacts.
Advised the client in preparing transition plans, crafting value propositions, and promoting technologies to integrators.
Facilitated SBIR/STTR transitions by assessing commercialization potential, conducting SWOT analyses, and recommending go-to-market strategies.
Identified transition pathways across multiple service branches and commercial sectors.
Results
Program Impact – Demonstrated at major joint-service exercises and industry conferences.
Adoption – Selected for integration into a high-visibility defense platform.
Recognition – Ranked among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for multiple years.
From prototype to deployment — need support bridging the gap?
Contact: Kevin Marrs, PhD, MSc, PMP — Translational Pathways Consulting
Contact us.
Info@TranslationalPathways.com
(850) 381-6753
P.O. Box 294
Shepherdstown, WV 25443