; (B) early-career and mid-career technologists; and (C) entrepreneurs for purposes of project-based work; (4) to accelerate the development of innovative solutions to complex problems, particularly through dual-use ventures, and facilitate partnerships between early stage ventures and the Department of Defense, by increasing transparency, and access to the Department for early stage ventures with the goal of improved acquisition and procurement outcomes; (5) to generate novel concepts and solutions to problems and requirements articulated by entities within the Department through programs that combine end users from the Department, students and faculty from academic institutions, and the early-stage venture community; (6) to establish physical locations throughout the United States through which the Network will connect with academic partners and private funding sources for the purposes of carrying out the responsibilities described in paragraphs (1) through (5)