STEMBoard is proud to announce that CEO Aisha Bowe will be a featured speaker at the Department of War (DoW) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) Summit 2026, taking place April 7–9 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

The MPP Summit is the Department’s premier annual training event, bringing together small businesses, prime contractors, and defense industry leaders to foster high-impact partnerships and strengthen the defense industrial base.

Bowe will participate in a panel discussion titled “Next Steps After Graduating from the MPP,” scheduled for April 7 from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM. The session will focus on how emerging companies can successfully transition from the Mentor-Protégé Program into sustained growth, long-term partnerships, and prime contracting opportunities.

STEMBoard brings direct experience to this conversation as a former National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Mentor-Protégé Program participant and a recipient of the 2023 Nunn-Perry Award, recognizing excellence in the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program. As the managing partner of Exacta Solutions, LLC a joint venture formed under the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program Bowe offers firsthand insight into navigating the transition from protégé to prime.

“Programs like the Mentor-Protégé Program are critical for building the next generation of high-performing small businesses in the defense space,” said Bowe. “The real challenge and opportunity comes before graduation: strategically planning how companies scale, compete, and continue to deliver at a high level.”

This year’s summit theme, “Bridging Opportunities: Scaling Innovation for National Defense,” highlights the importance of collaboration in accelerating innovation and expanding access to mission-critical capabilities.

STEMBoard’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing small business growth, strengthening partnerships, and contributing to a more resilient and innovative defense industrial base.

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