Do you have a Big Idea that can help our Navy solve a problem?
The Navy’s IBoss, Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza, is launching the 2026 Big Ideas Challenge, a “Shark Tank” style competition for IW Sailors and government civilians to propose and present innovative solutions to current and future Naval challenges.
Extending from seabed to space, Information Warfare (IW) is foundational to our Navy’s success in competition, crisis and conflict, underpinning all naval warfighting capabilities. IW delivers secure communications, full awareness of our adversaries and the environment, and provides integrated fires through kinetic and non-kinetic means. Critical for success in any situation, our 60,000+ IW professionals are our asymmetric advantage. IW warriors "think, act, and operate differently," driving innovation and ensuring we are ready to fight & win our Nation’s wars.
Program Overview
The Big Ideas Challenge creates a direct line to the IBoss for any IW Sailor or government civilian to propose and present their solution, big or small, for the IW Enterprise. Selected winners will have the opportunity to implement their idea at-scale and / or partner with government, private industry and / or academia. Last year, more than 50% of submissions were put in contact with Subject Matter Experts and organizations to further their ideas and implement their proposals at scale. You can read about our previous winners here.
There are three submission categories for this year’s Challenge:
1. IW Readiness
2. Advancing IW Warfighting Capabilities
3. IW Alignment and Integration (e.g. business processes; process improvements; prevention programs or response plans, etc.)
Submissions open 7 July and close on 21 November 2025. Following the deadline Phase I judges will select the top six candidates per category (18 total) to move forward onto Phase II. Phase II judges will select the top three candidates per category (nine total) to move onto the final stage: Pitch Day.
IBoss will judge the finalists during a virtual Pitch Day presentation and award one winner per category. *Update* This year, IBoss will also be choosing a “wildcard” winner. All winners will receive an honorary award, cash prize and recognition at Sea, Air, Space in 2026. Participants can access the Big Ideas Challenge submission portal here.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact our team at IWBigIdeasChallenge@us.navy.mil.