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Think Your Company is Too Big for SBIR Funding?
More than $2 billion in R&D grants and contracts is awarded every year to innovative small companies by 11 federal agencies through the SBIR and STTR programs. It's generally (mistakenly) believed that these two programs ...Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) ... are only for early-stage companies. While it's true that the majority of awards go to companies with fewer than 25 employees, any company with less than 500 employees is eligible to compete, assuming they also meet the other eligibility requirements.
SBIR/STTR Awards by Agency in 2009
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Source: SBIR.gov
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It's a fact the money's out there. But why should more established companies investigate SBIR/STTR as an opportunity and what do they need to be successful?
The SBIR/STTR programs are all about innovation and commercialization. Established small businesses know how to commercialize a product or they wouldn't be "established." They exist today because they excel at serving the needs of their customers. That experience gives them a decided advantage over companies that are still developing their first product or service.
The more important question is how do more established companies rate on the innovation scale? To answer that question each company should evaluate its capabilities and track record. Does it actively engage in research and/or new product development? Have these activities resulted in marketable products? Does the company have experience in-licensing technology? Has it ever collaborated with a university or other research organization?
Expertise in new product development is essential for companies to be competitive in SBIR/STTR. Assuming that capability exists, a company can use these programs to supplement their internal R&D budget or to partially fund diversification into new business areas. Possible scenarios for diversification include:
- High-risk/high-reward projects that do not meet the criteria for internal funding
- Development of a new technology that is in-licensed
- A new product idea that is being jointly developed with another company
 Innovation implies technical risk. If there's no risk involved, the project is primarily an engineering exercise and outside of the scope of SBIR/STTR. Remember, whether the project succeeds or fails, the SBIR/STTR award need not be paid back ... and if any new intellectual property is created it belongs to the company.
This federal funding might be "free" money but it's not "easy." Companies should plan to spend significant time and energy in learning the rules of the game, identifying the appropriate projects and collaborators, and writing a competitive proposal. Fortunately, help is available. For example, the state of Michigan funds an SBIR/STTR assistance program through BBC that can provide support at every step of the process. Click here to learn more about the Michigan program. BBC also works in many other states. Check out our capabilities here, or contact us at 734-930-9741 or info@bbcetc.com. |
Take the time to talk to your TPOC?
The Dept. of Defense issued its 2013.2 SBIR pre-solicitation this morning, so you now have 30 days during which you can talk directly to its Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs), before the solicitation opens on May 24. Why bother talking to a TPOC?
- The TPOC is often the author of the topic and so is most knowledgeable about its intent.
- During the 30-day pre-solicitation period, your conversation with the TPOC is private. Once that period is over, you can post questions - anonymously - to the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS) for technical clarification only, but your questions and responses will be public. (Conversely, you can gain information by monitoring the questions/answers of others, but the answers will likely be nowhere near what you can glean from a one-on-one conversation.).
- This is your opportunity to learn the parameters of the topic, ask technical questions, get clarification, and gauge whether and how well your technology meets the objective.
Even if you don't talk to the TPOC, be sure you note who it is, because once the actual solicitation begins, TPOC names and contact information are withdrawn from view. A couple more BBC pointers:
- Topics are sometimes altered based on the questions received during the pre-solicitation, or even withdrawn, so be sure to double check the topics when the actual solicitation period begins.
- Always, always, always read the solicitation carefully. There's no replacement for this invaluable step, which answers many questions and provides key pointers.
Here are those dates again:
April 24 - DOD Pre-Solicitation released; Talk to your TPOC now!
May 24 - Solicitation opens and TPOC communication ends
June 26 - Proposal deadline
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Agency Updates
DOD...Check out the Defense Innovation Marketplace, a new website serving as a resource for information about Department of Defense investment priorities and capability needs.
EPA...The US Environmental Protection Agency expects to release its 2013 Phase 1 SBIR solicitation in May. To receive a notification when the solicitation is announced, please sign up with the NCER RFA listserv at www.epa.gov/ncer/listserv.
NSF...Informational webinars on the current SBIR/STTR solicitations are planned for April 23 (SBIR) and 24 (STTR).Visit the NSF website for more information and registration.
NSF...A ctive NSF Phase II SBIR/STTR awardees may have the opportunity to apply for supplemental funding of up to $200,000 working in collaboration with an NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC). For more information on the program and a list of ERC's, click here.
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"Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future; it is a continual calculation, an instinctive exercise in foresight."
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Onsite
Intro to SBIR/STTR Funding
May 7 - New York, NY
Proposal Prep for NIH
Proposal Prep for DOD
Proposal Prep for NSF
Essentials of Commercialization
Proposal Writing for NIH
Grant Writing Workshop - NIH Focus
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Delaware-based multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has purchased Ann Arbor, MI-based biotechnology company,
AlphaCore. AlphaCore is developing a drug designed for the treatment of atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as a "hardening" of the arteries. BBCetc provided the AlphaCore team with training and one-on-one consulting for their Phase I and II SBIR proposals and grants management services following award. Kudos, AlphaCore!
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The National SBIR Conference is set for May 14-16 in Washington, DC. Here's your opportunity to interact with government SBIR/STTR program managers and staff, industry leaders and veteran SBIR/STTR awardees to learn how to access SBIR/STTR, build partnerships, and create successful commercialization strategies. While you're there, be surre to meet up with BBC's Lisa Kurek and Becky Aistrup! More information & registration
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Who we are
BBCetc is nationally recognized for its expertise in helping technology-based entrepreneurs win federal grants and contracts through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and use it strategically to propel growth. Its Michigan clients have been awarded over $100 million in funding since 2002. BBCetc capabilities include:
- Technology Assessment
- Commercialization Planning
- SBIR/STTR/Other Research Grant Assistance
- Entrepreneurial Training
- Grants/Contracts Management
For more information, email or call us at 734-930-9741.
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