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

I just finished an NIH SBIR grant. That was HARD

12 Oct 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:39

In a brief interview, Ratan discusses completing his first NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 application. He describes feeling relaxed, relieved, and proud after navigating a rigorous, roller‑coaster‑like process. Ratan notes that the SBIR program had recently been reinstated after a period of poor performance in the United States, creating uncertainty about timelines and outcomes. Despite this, he looks forward to applying again in the next funding cycle.

Ratan, congratulations on submitting your first NIH SBIR Phase 1 application. How are you feeling?
Yeah, feeling pretty relaxed, I guess, and relieved, and also proud because it was my first time submitting the application. And as all of us know, it's a very rigorous process. And it has been like a roller coaster ride because SBIR has also not been doing well in this country. It recently got reinstated, so I think all of us were like unaware about like when and how things will pan out for SBI. So I think, yeah, mostly relieved, and then yeah, very much looking forward to applying the next cycle.