The grant seeker will make a mistake if they view the SBIR as the only source of funding. The military runs Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs). Local entities support job creation programs, the development of manufacturing systems is an additional category with a source of funds. Sometimes, all you have to do is whisper the word “Texas” and funding opportunities will appear. (Shout out to Michael). Additional resource and funding options are available. When you break your project into sections, you can isolate funding for specific aspects of the projects and avoid overlap or funding coordination issues.
Category: Business Development
SBIR – The Grant Process
Startups looking to raise money via SBIR programs tend to focus on their sweet spot – the technology – without understanding the need for commercialization processes. The commercialization process, especially within Phase II, require an understanding of how the product will end up the customer’s hands, their systems, or in their beakers. The product definition, creation, sale, and customer budget process must be tracked thoroughly. If this section is weak, the grant will not be funded.
The Neutrino Donut – Solar Technology
The Neutrino Donut is completing a market assessment for a solar technology as part of a government grant program.
The Neutrino Donut – Korea – Technology Commercialization Projects
The Neutrino Donut completed technology reviews for several Korean companies who are seeking US entry strategies. The challenge for the companies is the commitment to enter the US market. More importantly, the challenge for these companies is the major Korean companies (Samsung, Hyundai) are seeking to move their supply lines to cheaper countries, such as Viet Nam.
The Neutrino Donut – Defense Medical Research and Development Program – Grant Review
The Neutrino Donut is on the grant review panel for DMRDP. We are review technologies for funding.
The Neutrino Donut – Project – Materials Science
The Neutrino Donut is evaluating the business model for a startup in the materials science area. This evaluation is for consulting on systems as well as the development of new materials.
The Neutrino Donut – Project – SBIR Grant – Alcohol Monitoring Technology
The Neutrino Donut is currently working on the development of an SBIR grant to track alcohol monitoring.
The Neutrino Donut – Data Analytics Technology Assessment
The Neutrino Donut is working with a startup in the evaluation of the market for their analytics technology.
The Neutrino Donut – Medical Technology – Business Development and Licensing
The Neutrino Donut is working with a startup in seeking licensing or business development opportunities for their technology.
The Neutrino Donut – Grant Reviews and Commercialization
The Neutrino Donut recently participated in an NIH grant review program. Our focus was on the commercialization process for Phase 2 applicants. A few pointers for our readers.
- Engage a product manager and market development expert in your grant process. You need the expertise of people who understand how to take a project into the marketplace.
- Understand the budget process of your clients. A $150K software project will be part of a long approval process. A $5K software project can be sold many times within an organization under the department discretionary fund.
- Understand the buying process of your clients. A single person often may not have full budget / technical / process authority to purchase an item.
- Labs – If you technology goes into a lab, where does it fit in the process? If you are attempting to do a single blood test, you need to justify why a full blood panel does not cover your interests.
- You need team members in the grant who will be part of the marketing / product development process.
- Letters of support should not be from your consultants.
The science team gets to vote on the grants. So does the commercialization team on the Phase 2 grants. The goal of the program is to create a business and make the technology sustaining. Spend the time up front to manage this process and demonstrate how the business will operate in the future.