Hi. I’m Molly Schmid with the TriTech Small Business Development Center here in Southern California. Clients frequently come to me, to ask “How they can use SBIR or STTR grants to help grow their business?”

1. Understand the SBIR & STTR Programs: There are 12 federal agencies that administer the SBIR & STTR grants and each of them runs their program slightly differently. There are 3 phases to all SBIR and STTR grants. The first phase is intended as a technical “proof-of-concept”. There should be a go or no-go decision at the end of this. With the technical proof of concept accomplished, you’ll be invited to apply for a phase 2 award. Finally in phase three, with a commercially viable product in hand; you’re expected to bring that product to market.
2. Take Care of Administrative Details: Make sure that your company is eligible; you need to be US-based, and a small business with fewer than 500 employees. Sign-up on the electronic submission systems as early as possible. Some of the agencies take at least 6 weeks to accomplish this task, so start early.
3. Success Plan: Understand the federal agency and what they want to accomplish with this program. Assemble a first rate team and document their credentials in your proposal.

Remember, the purpose of the SBIR & STTR programs are to commercialize innovative research.

So Overall, Understand the programs, Take Care of Administrative Details, and Create a plan for success. We’d love to help you more. Come visit us at https://www.tritechsbdc.org/. Thanks for watching.