Singletto Selected for DARPA’s Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative
Company’s Oxafence® Active Protection platform recognized for transition potential to military and healthcare applications
July 21, 2025 — Seattle, WA – Singletto has been selected by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to join the Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative (EEI), a program designed to accelerate the transition of breakthrough technologies from research to real-world impact. The EEI embeds experienced entrepreneurs into promising DARPA-funded research teams to help advance commercialization strategies that support U.S. national security.
This milestone builds on Singletto’s prior work as a technology performer under DARPA’s Personal Protective Biosystem (PPB) program, in collaboration with Teledyne FLIR. As part of that effort, Singletto integrated its proprietary Oxafence® Active Protection platform into responsive textiles to mitigate a range of biological threats.
As part of the EEI program, Kelli Blaize-Wise, an infectious disease specialist with over two decades of experience supporting DoD and HHS agencies, will serve as Singletto’s Embedded Entrepreneur.
The Oxafence technology not only met the stringent requirements of the PPB program – including efficacy against high-threat viral and bacterial agents – but also revealed additional, unexpected capabilities that distinguish it from other technologies evaluated to date. Recognizing this performance and the platform’s broad potential for Department of Defense and civilian healthcare applications, DARPA selected Singletto for the EEI program.
This reflects DARPA’s expanded emphasis on ensuring that promising technologies make the transition from research to deployment, whether through commercialization or through follow-on funding within the Department of Defense, so they can deliver measurable impact. That commitment aligns closely with Singletto’s mission to bring breakthrough solutions into the hands of end users.
“It’s exciting to work with Singletto on advancing the company’s first commercial product, which is currently the only FDA-cleared mask in the U.S. that inactivates tested viruses,” said Blaize-Wise. “We’re also actively exploring applications in warfighter protection, wound care, and other areas where this platform could offer real value.”
John Bjornson, CEO and co-founder of Singletto, emphasized the significance of the EEI award.
“Being selected for the EEI program is both an honor and an opportunity,” said Bjornson. “It validates the potential of the Oxafence platform and provides critical support and connections to help bring this technology to partners across defense and healthcare sectors.”
About Singletto
Singletto, Inc. licenses its proprietary Oxafence® Active Protection platform to healthcare, military, and consumer brands and manufacturers. Its mission is to enable next-generation infection control through smart materials that inactivate pathogens and enhance human health across medical devices, personal protective equipment, and advanced textiles.
Contact: Info@Singletto.com
www.singletto.com