The finalists were selected for their focus on innovation and market scalability, with J.P. Morgan returning as the primary sponsor for this year’s event. The competing firms are Hardshell, which secures AI training data; Hyperios Technologies, focused on space threat detection; Supply Veins, an AI procurement platform; Phinorm, specializing in drone detection; and Bandelier Technologies, which develops navigation tools for GPS-denied environments.

Judges will evaluate the startups on product-market fit and potential impact before awarding $25,000 to the first-place winner, $10,000 to second, and $5,000 to third. Katherine Webster, CEO of VetsinTech, noted that this year’s field stood out by addressing specific market gaps. The organization, which manages 28 chapters nationwide, continues to use these events to bridge the transition between military service and the technology sector.