Discover how innovative small tech companies are using the SBIR program to unlock Phase III sole source contracts and scale into multi-million dollar DOD opportunities. Learn how to leverage this overlooked path, avoid common mistakes, and take action during the July SBIR topic release window.

If you’re a small business trying to break into the DOD, this one thing can either build your momentum fast or leave you knocking on the wrong doors for years.

I’ve worked with hundreds of tech companies, from brand-new startups to mature small businesses, to some of the largest companies in the world, and most of them get this part wrong.

The Department of Defense (DOD) is a massive organization, with an annual budget of $849.8 billion in 2024.  Like many large organizations, the DOD, which is comprised of hundreds of smaller offices and departments, isn’t the best at communicating. That means, as a small business trying to grow DOD revenue or enter the market for the first time, you have to do more than show up.

You have to do your homework and talk about the agency’s problem, not just your solution. (Or if you're short on time, hire someone who lives and breathes this stuff. shameless plug)

A founder’s guide for small businesses and startups exploring the Department of Defense (DOD) SBIR program—what works during pre-release so you don’t waste time chasing dead ends.

It’s here. The moment you have been waiting for. Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) pre-release topics just dropped. This could be your shot to fund that R&D idea you have been daydreaming about for months. Maybe it is the perfect way to add a new feature to your product. Or maybe your almost-done tech fits the Direct to Phase II opportunity. Either way, the Department of Defense (DOD) opened the door. But don’t start mentally spending those non-dilutive dollars yet! Do what the experts do and what DOD SBIR awardees do, and follow the simple steps below. 

So now what? Where do you even start? And what is a pre-release anyway?