The HJF Innovation Ecosystem provides enhanced support across the continuum of military medical innovation to accelerate the availability of relevant medical products and services to our nation's warfighters, veterans, and civilians.
The Innovation Ecosystem is a formal partnership framework that connects DoD medical research labs and treatment facilities, biomedical and biotechnology companies, private investment and regional economic development entities, all in support of the advanced development and commercialization of military medical innovations.
HJF Innovation Labs
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) Innovation Labs
Currently under construction for fall 2025 occupancy!
HJF Innovation Lab's mission is to create a unique regional biotech incubator that addresses challenges specific to startups and small companies when licensing and/or developing dual-use (military and civilian) technologies. HJF can help biotech and medical device startups surmount financial constraints and navigate the ins and outs of military medical technology development such as implementing unique product development strategies, securing strategic partnerships for field testing and validation, navigating federal acquisition processes, and accessing sufficient private investment.
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) Innovation Labs at MontgomeryCountyMD (HJF Innovation Labs) are strategically located in HJF's North Bethesda home office, offering affordable and flexible leasing of cutting-edge wet and engineering labs designed with modern collaboration spaces.
HJF currently manages over 700 federal research programs and five large research labs implementing DoD Programs and Centers of Excellence, the proximity of which provides occupants of Innovation Labs access to HJF's global clinical network, research infrastructure, and stakeholder partnerships.
Innovation Labs are centrally located within a region uniquely suited for the development of dual-use medical technologies.
Located at the hub of military, federal, nonprofit, and academic medical research institutions.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Uniformed Services University (USU)
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
By having both wet lab and engineering infrastructures for startups and small companies co-located within HJF's home office, Innovation Labs provide a model for the development of technologies from federal laboratories and universities, as well as the framework for accelerating their commercialization by leveraging HJF's existing infrastructure and networking capabilities.
Innovation Ecosystem Educational & Networking Events are successfully underway and available to companies with physical and virtual residency, in addition to our state-of-the-art conference center, and the support of HJF's business expertise in:
Intellectual property
Licensing and commercialization
Information technology (IT)
Proposal development
Clinical trial protocol drafting and management
The launch of the HJF-MDC Venture Fund presents a promising source of capital for dual-use innovation development. The flexible lab space allows startups to adjust as they grow, and biotech and medical device startups developing military medical technology can leverage HJF's current and prospective partnerships within the military and the regional technology ecosystem to address their unique challenges. The affordable and flexible leasing of lab space and equipment significantly increases the likelihood of success, lowering the barrier to entry and allowing more capital to be channeled into critical areas like product development, regulatory planning, and the hiring of skilled personnel.
Fill out the HJF Innovation Lab’s pre-application by April 25th, 2025 to learn how we can grow together.
HJF-hosted events and programming provide opportunities that foster partnerships within the innovation ecosystem and support the education, collaboration and funding of its stakeholders in their effort to commercialize military relevant innovations. Collaborative Opportunities:
Ecosystem Networking and Partnership Events
Working with DoD/Military Medical-focused Programming
HJF is developing an IAC to include thought leaders and subject matter experts from amongst the stakeholders of the Innovation Ecosystem who possess an interest and expertise in the translation and transition of medical innovations. The Committee will advise HJF on mission-driven commercialization projects and investments.
If you are interested in becoming a member or would like to participate in the HJF IAC in another way, please contact the HJF Tech Transfer Team.
HJF Innovation Ecosystem in the News
HJF and Partners Present First Event in Networking and Educational Series
HJF, Montgomery County, Maryland, and BioBuzz, recently hosted the first in a series of networking and educational discussions by featuring a panel of experts on the regulatory process for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA).
TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) and HJF Kick-Off New Innovation Initiative
A Pop-up Event was hosted by HJF and TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) to kick-off the HJF Innovation Ecosystem which facilitates a pathway to commercialize products and services that will improve the health of both our military and civilian populations.
HJF Signs First MoU with Healthcare Innovation Company Based in the UK
HJF and EEE Corp Group, a leading healthcare and health-tech innovation support company in the United Kingdom, recently signed an MOU with aims to connect expertise, resources, and networks to foster cross-border research and development between the United States and United Kingdom.
HJF Innovation Labs has been selected by Maryland’s Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) for funding through the Equitech Growth Fund (EGF) for its innovative vision and the potential to make a significant economic impact throughout the state.
