Bridging the Gap: How NS2 Labs Is Driving Innovation Through New Partnerships

The rapid pace of technological innovation in the U.S. has led to remarkable breakthroughs that continue to enrich the lives of citizens across the country. Thanks to new partnerships between government, private companies, and academia, today’s top minds are able to share ideas and collaborate on next-generation solutions. However, breaking down the silos between the public and private sectors has been a consistent barrier to co-innovation. That’s why NS2 Labs has created a shared space where thought leaders with different backgrounds can work together to solve complex problems, incubate promising new technologies, and make the world a better place.

“There are more than enough problems in the world to keep us all busy forever. NS2 Labs wants to be a hub where everybody can come together, share ideas, and connect with other like-minded professionals."

NS2 Labs, a proxy of SAP, serves as a terminus between government, private companies, and academic research organizations by providing physical and virtual spaces that enable co-innovation. This allows the government to capitalize on the private sector’s innovation ecosystem to create intelligent, tailored solutions at scale. NS2 Labs also provides hands-on infrastructural, funding, and collaboration support that gives small and large technology companies equal footing to crowdsource new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible.

In an era dominated by plug-and-play IT solutions, government agencies are increasingly interested in creating their own systems and applications that align with their unique requirements. At NS2 Labs’ facility, located in Chantilly, Virginia, thought leaders can meet in reconfigurable environments outfitted with the latest collaboration technologies, from touch-screen whiteboards to interactive video projections. This sort of experienced-based environment makes it easy to convey complex ideas and immerse oneself in new proof-of-concept pilots.

Alongside physical environments, NS2 Labs also supports virtual knowledge sharing through cloud-based applications, chat tools, and collaboration portals. These digital spaces can be used to test out new ideas, replicate past results, and trade insights with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Of course, there are always things that can’t be performed in a virtual environment, such as experimenting with new hardware components and testing AI-enabled technologies. Rather than prioritizing one over the other, NS2 Labs focuses on creating a pipeline of innovation that supports every stage of the development cycle, from R&D to product optimization.

Developing new tech-driven solutions requires both infrastructural investment and input from thought leaders with varying experiences. NS2 Labs enables private and public sector organizations to work together on specific projects and build lasting relationships that extend beyond the implementation phase. This forward-looking approach allows great minds to create solutions that were not possible a decade ago, and to continuously innovate without interference from politics or personal agendas.

“We live in a world of infinite problems. We don't need to solve them all, but wouldn't it be great if there was a place where you could come and trust that the best answer was going to win?”

Partnering with NS2 Labs gives tech professionals, government officials, and academic researchers access to the information-sharing networks and support structures they need to take the next big step forward.