Funding helps UCF Business Incubation Program Client develop technology for artificial intelligence guardrails
Orlando, Fla. (January 12, 2026) – As artificial intelligence becomes more complex and intuitive, the search is on to find technologies that can put guardrails on AI’s reach.
Recently, the U.S. Air Force invested in an Orlando company, Nighthawk Cyber, developing technologies to do just that. Through a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research grant, the company is working bring its technology, DATAVARI, to market.
“Having the Air Force look at our technology and see tremendous potential is an indicator we’re on the right track,” says Nathaniel Wade, CEO, Nighthawk Cyber. “As AI continues to expand, become smarter and more and more intuitive, it is essential to find ways to keep it focused on a specific task.”
That’s the goal of DATAVARI. The program is designed to detect AI drift early in the process, alerting the user and returning focus to the task at hand. It helps put in place key controls through a simple dashboard so companies can maximize the use of artificial intelligence in their work.
“Having been awarded an SBIR phase I grant is an important step for many companies, particularly once in the incubator who are on the edge of technology breakthroughs,” says Rafael Caamano, interim director, Innovation Districts & Incubation Program, UCF Business Incubation Program. “We truly celebrate companies when they accomplish this goal.”
The SBIR program is used by a wide range of federal agencies to help develop technologies that can benefit the country.
SBIR grants are broken into three phases, none of which are guaranteed. The first phase is for the company to show proof of concept. It’s awarded after a rigorous proposal submitted for a topic the government is looking to help. The dollar amount of Phase I SBIR grants ranges from $50,000 to $250,o00.
Once proof of concept is shown, the company is eligible for a Phase II grant, which includes funding of up to $1.8 million to further develop the technology over a couple of years. A Phase III grant has no cap on the amount invested as the company brings the technology to market.
Usually, employees are hired during Phase II and Phase III grant stages.
More information on the SBIR program can be found here.
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For the UCF Business Incubation Program: Rafael Caamano, 407-408-4297 rafael.caamano@ucf.edu or Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, alan@byrdconnections.com
About Nighthawk Cyber: Founded and operated by military veterans, Nighthawk Cyber’s leadership team brings more than 6 decades of experience supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers by providing next-generation cyber services, enterprise IT operations, and data science and analytics solutions.
Nighthawk is a certified SDVOSB committed to hiring highly skilled veterans who understand the unique challenges of our customers and know how to work within their nuanced operating environments to accomplish their objectives. Additionally, our team of professionals embodies our focused, mission-first approach to supporting national security in dynamic environments across a variety of government contracts. For more information, visit www.nighthawkcyber.com
For more information on DATAVARI, please visit DATAVARIai
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources, resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With eight facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu
