First in Defense: Positioning North Carolina at the Frontier of Defense Innovation

Join a statewide, industry-led coalition to position North Carolina as a national leader in defense innovation and manufacturing.

The United States is investing at record levels in military modernization, reshoring critical supply chains, and strengthening the defense industrial base. The states that move with speed and alignment will create high-quality jobs, lead in game-changing technologies, and help ensure national security and competitiveness.

North Carolina is uniquely positioned to lead in defense technology and defense manufacturing:

  • A top-ranked business climate

  • One of the fastest-growing states in the nation

  • A major military footprint with a highly-skilled veteran workforce

  • World-class research institutions

  • Proven strengths in advanced manufacturing and critical technologies like quantum and biotech

And yet, North Carolina is underperforming in defense:

  • 30th in defense spending as a share of GDP

  • 25th in defense contracts

  • Roughly $200 million per year in defense-funded research & development

This gap means one thing: opportunity.

Introducing First in Defense

First in Defense is a coalition led by the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance and the NC Chamber to align industry, academia, community leaders, and policymakers around a clear goal: Make North Carolina a top state for defense manufacturing and innovation.

To achieve this, the coalition is focused on three core objectives:

  1. Elevate Defense as a Key Economic Opportunity for North Carolina

  2. Enable and Accelerate Entrepreneurship & Innovation Across the State

  3. Position North Carolina to Attract and Grow Defense Industry Presence

Coalition Built for Impact

First in Defense is a coalition of partners committed to execution, trust, and measurable impact. Together, we are building the alignment needed to compete — and win — at a national level.

Join the Coalition

Help build North Carolina’s next chapter of growth and leadership.

Coalition Membership

Support the First in Defense Initiative. Join a statewide coalition advancing North Carolina’s leadership in defense innovation, manufacturing, and dual-use technologies.

Coalition memberships start at $7,500 and vary based on organization size and objectives.

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✓ NC Critical Technologies Alliance Membership

✓ NC Chamber Membership

✓ Opportunities to Host & Participate in First in Defense Events

✓ Engagement with Defense Leaders & Policymakers

✓ Strategic Positioning in State and National-Level Forums

✓ Help build North Carolina’s next great economic sector

Get Involved