Forge Summit 2026

Walk away with the connections needed to strengthen collective defense. Hosted by the Forge Institute, the 2026 Forge Summit focuses on cybersecurity and emerging technologies. It links regional innovators to the irregular front, ensuring that new capabilities support national security and reach the field.

This event is built for startups, university researchers, critical infrastructure providers, and government partners. Attendees can explore topics like advanced manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cyber resilience. You will have the chance to hear directly from leaders at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA). Vertx Partners knows that technology transition requires face-to-face collaboration. The summit provides a practical environment to align your work with the actual needs of the Department of War (DoW) and the intelligence community.

The main event runs from October 13th to 14th, 2026, in downtown North Little Rock, Arkansas. An optional classified day follows on October 15th for attendees with a final granted TS//SI/TK clearance.