Pizza, Proposals, and SBIR Pre-Release: 7 Things to Do to WIN

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?