GETCHKD x MSAII
The MSAII Cyber Innovation Accelerator is a cybersecurity skills development program delivered by GETCHKD in partnership with the Metro State Applied Innovation Institute. The program will train participants in blockchain-enhanced cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, Zero Trust architectures, and federal market engagement. Participants will gain practical experience with modern cybersecurity frameworks and the processes used to identify and pursue federal opportunities. The Accelerator combines technical training with capture and business development skills to prepare participants to contribute to real cybersecurity programs while strengthening the pipeline of talent and innovation supporting Department of War and national security missions.
* Only open to Minnesota educational institution students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
According to CyberSeek.org, there are 514,359 open cybersecurity positions in the U.S. market. This program develops the technical and professional skills Minnesota needs by combining hands-on cybersecurity training with the business development knowledge required to engage the federal market.
Train on blockchain for Zero Trust architectures, immutable audit trails, and secure DevSecOps enforcement, aligned with federal cybersecurity modernization priorities.
Understand how the Department of Defense approaches cybersecurity today, from CMMC compliance to secure supply chains and defense-grade infrastructure.
Learn how cybersecurity innovations developed for defense can be commercialized for private-sector use and how to position technologies across both markets.
Understand how federal procurement works, how to find opportunities on SAM.gov, and how funding mechanisms like SBIR, OTAs, and IDIQs create pathways for small businesses.
Learn how to identify, qualify, and pursue federal opportunities, including teaming with prime contractors and building the relationships that win contracts.
Develop the skills to respond to federal solicitations, from reading RFPs to building compliance matrices and writing competitive proposals.
Mark your calendar. Here are the key dates from application to program start.
This is a competitive program. If you're ready to commit, stop scrolling and apply.
* Only open to Minnesota educational institution students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Apply NowA structured, phased training program that combines hands-on cybersecurity instruction, federal market strategy, coaching sessions, lab exercises, and real-world projects, culminating in a certification.
How federal procurement actually works from the buyer's perspective. SAM.gov registration, set-asides and certifications, capabilities statement development, DoD cyber modernization landscape, and blockchain-based cybersecurity architectures.
The federal marketplace is $700B+ annually. Learn to analyze federal spending data, evaluate competition levels, find less saturated markets, and develop a positioning strategy that differentiates you from incumbents.
Hands-on training in blockchain for Zero Trust, immutable audit trails, and secure DevSecOps enforcement. Labs, exercises, and applied projects aligned with federal cybersecurity priorities.
Build a data-driven federal sales roadmap. Identify primary government customers, match your capabilities to contract vehicles, calculate revenue potential, and build a qualified pipeline through RFIs, Sources Sought, SBIR/STTR, and acquisition forecasts.
Most contracts are won before the solicitation drops. Build relationships with program offices, identify opportunities before formal solicitation, influence requirements during market research, and leverage GSA Schedules and contract vehicles strategically.
Read and analyze federal solicitations from the evaluator's perspective. Build compliance matrices, structure proposals that score high on evaluation criteria, and write technical approaches, management plans, and past performance sections.
A live event bringing together DoD innovation offices, small businesses, prime contractors, and students. Poster sessions, blockchain demos, teaming workshops, and capture strategy exercises.
Complete your capstone work, receive your Student Course Completion Certification, and contribute to the Final Report documenting workforce outcomes and funding pipelines created.
This program develops both technical cybersecurity expertise and the professional skills to put it to work in the federal market, the private sector, or both.
Design and implement Zero Trust security models aligned with DoD modernization priorities.
Apply blockchain to build immutable audit trails, enforce DevSecOps pipelines, and secure supply chains.
Understand federal cybersecurity compliance frameworks and how to build systems that meet them.
Analyze $700B+ in federal spending data to identify growth areas, emerging opportunities, and competitive positioning.
Learn how government contracts are actually won through pre-solicitation engagement, relationship building, and strategic positioning.
Build compliance matrices, analyze RFPs/RFQs, and write proposals that score high on evaluation criteria.
Navigate SBIR/STTR programs, OTAs, IDIQs, and subcontracting strategies with prime contractors.
Build a federal sales resume, optimize LinkedIn for recruiter visibility, and prepare for BD roles with government contractors.
Graduates leave with real skills, real credentials, and direct connections to the DoD cybersecurity ecosystem.
Seats are limited. Applications are open for Cohort 1 from Minnesota educational institution students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
* Only open to Minnesota educational institution students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Apply NowApplication takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete.