Stacy L ChinFounder, KeepYourEquity · I get the government to write you checks

Founders: You’re Leaving SBIR Money on the Table

14 Sept 2026 · 0 min

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0:29

In this brief presentation, the speaker highlights that the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program experienced a 4–6 month shutdown earlier in the year, freezing roughly $4 billion in potential funding for startups. The program has now resumed, reportedly stronger than before. The speaker urges U.S. deep‑tech founders who are weighing bootstrapping versus giving up equity to venture capitalists to consider SBIR as an alternative: identify a suitable SBIR solicitation, apply, secure non‑dilutive funding, retain ownership, and use the capital to grow their companies.

This program went dark for about 4 to 6 months earlier this year, which is the longest lapse I've ever seen. Pretty much over $4 billion of funding just immediately froze for startups. But now the program's on again and coming back stronger than ever before. So if you're a deep tech founder in the US either deciding whether we should bootstrap the company or to give a bunch of equity away to a VC, I want you to consider a different option. Go find an SBIR program that's a good fit for you, apply, get funded, keep your equity, and build your startup.