Army Futures Command opens Austin innovation center

The U.S. government’s vision for a high-tech melting pot of military officers and Austin tech workers is finally happening.

The military's Center for Defense Innovation made its debut Thursday at Austin tech hub Capital Factory. The facility is part of the Army’s new Futures Command program, and will also include personnel from the Air Force, Department of Defense and other government organizations.

The innovation center will be the primary gateway for the military to link up with and work alongside startup companies and entrepreneurs in town as it seeks to update its technology.

“The Army chose Austin simply because, as countless startups have already learned, this is the best petri dish" for innovation, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said at the facility's grand opening. Cornyn appeared alongside Texas House speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and Capital Factory CEO Josh Baer.

"You don’t really think of the federal government and innovation in the same sentence," Cornyn said. "We have to think outside the box, and that’s what Army Futures Command is all about.”

When the Army last year chose Austin as the headquarters for its Futures Command, an operation it says will drive modernization for the U.S. military, one of its goals included having a working space at Capital Factory. The tech hub has become home to dozens of startup companies and is a key part of Austin’s tech culture.

While the Futures Command will be the most integral division of the more than 21,000 square feet of space on the 8th floor of the Omni Hotel building, the center will also house dozens of workers from innovation programs by the Army Research Labs, Air Force, Department of Defense and government consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.

All of the parties converged Thursday at their new hub -- military-striped officers lined up next to suit-wearing congressmen and tech workers in jeans and T-shirts. A large Capital Factory gear logo stood in the back of the room, but this one, unlike the ones found throughout the tech facility, had a bald eager soaring through the middle of the logo.

As the teams settle in, they’ll be expected to pitch and work toward new technology projects for the military, said Col. Patrick Seiber, an Army spokesman. While innovation projects for various military products will be tested throughout the nation, Seiber said, the Army is hoping many of the ideas are sparked in Austin.

“Our reason to come to Austin is the draw of entrepreneurs,” Seiber said. “Now that they’ve built out the 8th floor, that’s where our presence can work alongside Capital Factory. We can put even more folks out here.”

The Futures Command debuted in August after a months-long search for a headquarters. Army personnel said the command, the first of its kind, will be responsible for leading modernization of the military’s weapons, vehicles, equipment and other divisions. Army personnel said they picked Austin because of the numerous tech startups here, as well as access to research institutions and quality of life.

While the Future Command’s primary base is at the University of Texas System building downtown, the organization's Capital Factory outpost provides a space in close proximity to potential startup partners. In addition to Booz Allen Hamilton, the military has started to work with Austin software startup Senseye, according to Seiber.

To date, the Futures Command has hired about 150 staff members, many of whom are civilian workers.

The Army said it could eventually staff up to 500 people at the facility. Up to 60 personnel could initially be based out of the hub at Capital Factory, Seiber said. The Army is also working to start other outposts at Texas A&M University.

“This is a place where entrepreneurs and innovators of all kinds come together to collaborate and to build a better future using technology,” Baer, the Capital Factory CEO, said at the innovation center’s opening Thursday. “With the launch of this new floor, Capital Factory is now a new center of gravity for defense innovation.”