Stacy L Chin explains SBIR, a U.S. federal grant program that lets deep-tech founders raise up to $2M without giving up equity. The money helps de-risk technology by funding prototypes, feasibility studies, and commercialization work. She has spent a decade building competitive applications for the program.
Hey, are you a deep tech founder trying to raise up to $2 million for your startup, but VCs and angel investors just won't touch you with a 10-foot pole because you're either way too early or way too risky? Oh, there's another option. I'm so shocked about how many deep tech founders have never heard of this before. Did you know you can raise non-dilutive funding through something called the SBIR program to help get your technology off the ground? And no, you don't have to give up your equity. And no, this is not a scam. This is actually a real funding pathway backed by the U.S. federal government for U.S.-based So SBIR stands for Small Business Innovation Research, and these are federal grants and contracts specifically designed for small businesses developing innovative technologies that still need research and development. And the whole point is to help you de-risk your technology. That could mean building your prototype, proving feasibility, generating data, and validating your technology while getting you closer to commercialization. If you're a deep tech founder and want to learn how to raise non-dilutive SBIR funding, Make sure to follow along. I've been in the space for about 10 years, and I share everything I know about building competitive applications and using US federal funding to help you get your innovation off the ground.
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