About the Team
We are veterans with decades of experience across federal acquisition, contracting, and innovation. Our mission is to help small and nontraditional businesses succeed by making the tools, rules, and tactics of defense business accessible and affordable. By closing the knowledge gap that separates great technologies from great contracts, we aim to strengthen and diversify the industrial base.
Let's grow, together.
K. Austin DeLorme
Austin DeLorme is a veteran acquisition leader and innovation strategist with a proven record of driving millions in successful federal market entries for nontraditional and small businesses. With close to two decades of experience in defense acquisition and public–private partnerships, she has built her career on translating government needs into commercial opportunity — and helping companies scale within the federal market.
A former Air Force physicist and acquisition officer, Austin spent ten years leading technology transition initiatives across the Department of Defense and federal agencies. She was a founding architect of AFWERX, helped launch the Air Force’s first technology accelerator, and co-designed flagship programs including AFVentures, the Pitch Day model, and Agility Prime. Her expertise has shaped the creation of major innovation ecosystems such as Army Futures Command and SpaceWERX, and her counsel has guided senior defense leaders on how to better leverage commercial innovation for mission success.
Today, as co-founder and CEO of Auxo, Austin focuses on empowering small and nontraditional companies to navigate the defense market with confidence — providing the tools, knowledge, and strategies that level the playing field.
Outside of work, Austin is a mother of two adventurous boys, a partner to a pilot, and a hot air balloon pilot herself — always happiest chasing the horizon, whether in the sky or in the mission of expanding access to innovation.
 Megan VanHorn
Megan VanHorn is a seasoned acquisition and contracting expert with over a decade of experience in the federal government and defense contracting. She served as a contracting and agreements officer in the United States Air Force for eight years, where she worked with several organizations, including the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, and United States Special Operations Command. She was also instrumental in the initiation of the Agility Prime program, and other foundational work by the AFVentures office.
Throughout her time in the Air Force, Megan was acknowledged for her unique approach to contract management and her utilization of innovative contracting techniques. Her objective in the private sector is to lead and motivate teams of small business and acquisition professionals to upgrade the federal procurement system and reinforce the national security framework and the Defense Industrial Base of the United States.
After her successful career in the Air Force, Megan continued her quest to improve service members' access to critical technologies as the Chief Financial Officer of Small Business Consulting Corporation, a start-up aimed at bringing commercial technology to US Airmen. Most recently, Megan has started her own consultancy firm, Bridge4Acquisitions with her husband Tyler, who is also a former Air Force Contracting Officer. Bridge4Acquisitions focuses on shepherding small and non-traditional businesses in successfully securing and executing government contracts. The team specializes in providing expertise in federal acquisitions, program management, contracting, and financial management services to small and non-traditional defense contractors providing critical technology to support our Nation’s warfighters. Bridge4Acquisitions offers tiered service options tailored to meet the specific needs of clients seeking contract administration support, strategic acquisition solutions, and integrated acquisition expertise.
Haley Yeagley
Haley Yeagley is an experienced acquisition professional with over a decade of experience working with the federal government and defense contractors to meet the critical needs of our Nation’s Department of Defense. Haley served ten years on active duty as an acquisition officer in the United States Air Force working for organizations that included Air Combat Command, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Material Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and United States Special Operations Command.Â
During her Air Force career, Haley was recognized for excellence in the acquisition community for leadership, efficiency, and program execution. After years of witnessing the difficulties small businesses can face in breaking into the federal space, Haley set a goal of helping small business through the complex system of federal acquisitions. Her aim in the private sector is to use her experience and work ethic to positively impact innovative solutions and help businesses achieve strategic goals navigating federal acquisition in support of our national security framework.Â
Haley continues as an Air Force reservist and as a civilian advises small businesses through the acquisitions framework on anything from proposals to contract execution and management.
Let's Grow, Together.
