UCF Business Incubation client company Axiom AI set to deliver AI agents to help analyze maritime and defense situations
Orlando, Fla. (April 2, 2025) — For most companies, winning a technology challenge or a pitch contest is a great accomplishment, but only a few such contests can bring significant changes to an organization.
For Winter Garden-based Axiom AI, winning the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise brought a seven-figure deal to their company.
In March, the company was awarded a $1.4 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop high-powered AI agents to help its leaders make decisions. The contract is in addition to the $100,000 awarded as prize money that the company won in October.
“The technology exercise was a tremendous experience that allowed us to compare our technology to a range of other companies in this space,” says Richard Threlkeld, CEO, Axiom AI. “Winning that competition was incredible but being able to contract with the Department of Defense because of what they saw in our company is truly fantastic.”
The competition was held in San Diego. At the beginning, 18 companies applied to participate in providing AI services to the Navy. In winning the contest, the Navy said: “The differences in performance are compelling; Axiom AI had roughly half the word error rate compared to the nearest competitor and roughly twice the accuracy rating. Additionally, Axiom AI was the only participant to provide estimates of delay conditions.”
With this new contract, Axiom AI will deliver advanced AI agents for DoD to use with next-generation decision support tools, significantly boosting operational capabilities in complex maritime and defense scenarios.
The AI agents will leverage machine learning algorithms to interpret audio communications, assess situational contexts, and provide real-time, precise decision support, crucial operations. By using AI agents, the military is looking to reduce operational risks, increase mission effectiveness, and support swift decision-making under high-stakes conditions.
Axiom AI has hired six new employees and interns to work on this contract with a salary range of $58,000 to $140,000.
“Being a part of the future of our national defense as it continues to find ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into its systems is exciting,” Threlkeld says. “It’s a truly unique opportunity for our company and our community.”
Axiom AI was formed in 2022 when Richard and Whitney Threlkeld, who are married, decided to combine their backgrounds to move into this space.
Whitney Threlkeld spent her career in healthcare, working as an occupational therapist and nurse in level one trauma hospitals, including time in project management. Richard Threlkeld, a U.S. Army veteran who has worked with major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, General Electric, and Georgia Tech Research Institute, recently received his PhD studying artificial intelligence. His distinguished military career includes service as second in command of the 92nd Chemical Company.
Axiom AI is a client company of the UCF Business Incubator in Research Park.
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UCF Business Incubation Program: Carol Ann Logue, 407-635-9882, carolann.dykeslogue@ucf.edu; ; Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About Axiom AI: Axiom AI provides innovative AI software solutions designed to enhance informed decision-making, enable autonomous agents, and foster seamless human-machine teaming. With a strong focus on multi-modal artificial intelligence and data science, we empower businesses to leverage technology that is both innovative and ethically sound.
Founded in 2022, Axiom AI has grown from a duo of Army veteran visionaries to a trusted partner for defense organizations. As a proud veteran-owned business, we are deeply committed to supporting those who serve. Our roots in military service and our commitment to innovation drive us to create solutions that meet the highest standards of excellence and reliability. For more information, please visit Axiomai.us
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 nine 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, Seminole and Volusia 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
