01
What happens
Helicon receives a non-confidential summary through the contact form or a referred introduction. No agreement exists yet and none is required to have this conversation.
FOR UKRAINIAN AND ALLIED INNOVATORS
The first 30 days: a stage-gated orientation, not an open-ended pitch process.
This page sets out what typically happens across the early stages of a Helicon pathway — Qualify and Protect, moving into early Structure — with response standards, the documents exchanged at each point, the decisions made, and the conditions under which Helicon or the innovator should stop. All timing below is typical, not guaranteed: real calendars move around counsel availability, translation, time zones, and holidays.
Where the First 30 Days Sits
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The canonical Helicon pathway has six stages. The first 30 days covers roughly the first two.
Every Helicon pathway runs through the same six stages in the same order: Qualify, Protect, Structure, Demonstrate, Produce, and Scale & Sustain. The first 30 days is an orientation window inside Qualify and Protect, typically reaching into the early part of Structure. Demonstrate, Produce, and Scale & Sustain come later and are not part of this 30-day window.
- 1Qualify
- 2Protect
- 3Structure
- 4Demonstrate
- 5Produce
- 6Scale & Sustain
Where the 30-day window ends
This orientation window ends at the close of early Structure — typically once a mutual decision is made on whether to proceed, and if so, under what kind of agreement. It does not extend into Demonstrate, Produce, or Scale & Sustain, which follow only after Structure is substantially complete and typically take considerably longer than 30 days.
Stage: Qualify · Typically Days 0–3
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Non-confidential intake and first response.
02
Response standard
Helicon typically acknowledges receipt within 2 business days and gives an initial read — fit, no fit, or need more information — within 5 business days. These are typical service targets, not contractual commitments.
03
Documents exchanged
Only a one-page non-confidential capability summary, in the innovator’s own words. No NDA, no technical drawings, no source code, and no CUI or export-controlled material at this point.
STOP
Stop condition
If the summary describes controlled technical data, classified information, or export-controlled material, Helicon stops the public-website channel immediately and directs the innovator toward an appropriate offline or counsel-mediated channel before any further exchange.
Stage: Qualify · Typically Days 4–10
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Fit discussion and qualification.
04
What happens
A non-confidential call or written exchange to discuss operational relevance, maturity, and whether Helicon and the innovator see the same kind of pathway.
05
Decision point
Helicon decides, typically within 10 business days of intake, whether the capability, evidence, and originator situation appear to justify deeper qualification. This is a working estimate, not a guaranteed turnaround.
06
Documents exchanged
Non-confidential materials only: operational problem addressed, maturity level, evidence of field use or validation, high-level ownership and IP status, and what the innovator is seeking.
STOP
Stop condition
If Helicon does not see a plausible U.S. or allied operational fit, or the compliance posture looks unworkable, Helicon says so directly at this point rather than continuing the conversation.
Stage: Protect · Typically Days 11–20
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Disclosure sequencing and IP protection.
07
What happens
If qualification is positive, Helicon and the innovator discuss what protection needs to be in place before any deeper disclosure — typically an NDA, and where relevant, an initial view on export-control posture.
08
Response standard
Helicon typically circulates or responds to NDA paperwork within 5 business days of the decision to proceed to this stage. Execution timing depends on the innovator’s own counsel review and is outside Helicon’s control.
09
Documents exchanged
A mutual NDA, and, only after it is signed by both parties, the first layer of more detailed — but still not export-controlled or classified — technical and provenance information.
STOP
Stop condition
No detailed technical disclosure occurs before the NDA is fully executed by both sides. If the innovator’s counsel cannot agree to baseline protective terms, the pathway pauses at this stage rather than proceeding without protection in place.
Stage: Early Structure · Typically Days 21–30
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Economic framing and the go / no-go decision.
10
What happens
With an NDA in place, Helicon and the innovator discuss which possible economic structures — described on the innovator economics page — might apply, and what the innovator is seeking in terms of ownership, territory, and participation.
11
Decision point — end of the 30-day window
By roughly day 30, Helicon and the innovator typically reach one of three outcomes: proceed into a term sheet or letter of intent for full Structure negotiation, pause pending more information, or conclude there is not a fit. This is where the 30-day orientation window ends.
12
Documents exchanged
A non-binding discussion framework or term sheet outline, if the decision is to proceed. No binding economic commitment is made at this point; binding terms are negotiated later in the Structure stage.
STOP
Stop condition
If Helicon and the innovator cannot agree on a workable economic framework, or if the innovator is not comfortable with the proposed structure, either side can end the conversation here without obligation. Nothing before this point commits either party to a transaction.
After Day 30
What comes next is a longer, separate process.
If both sides choose to proceed past day 30, the pathway moves into the full Structure stage — detailed negotiation of rights, territory, economics, and performance terms — followed by Demonstrate, Produce, and Scale & Sustain. These later stages are not stage-gated on a fixed calendar and typically take months, not days, because they depend on technical evaluation, customer engagement, manufacturing readiness, and compliance review.
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Start the First 30 Days
Ready to begin a non-confidential first conversation?
Helicon is interested in selected capabilities where U.S. or allied transition, manufacturing, or sustainment could create real value. The stop conditions above exist to protect you as much as Helicon.
Keep the first message non-confidential
Do not submit classified information, CUI, export-controlled technical data, source code, engineering drawings, proprietary specifications or other restricted material through the public website. Tell us only that protected material exists; Helicon will establish an appropriate channel if the opportunity proceeds.