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

Secret strategy to help start-ups win SBIR grants | NO ONE does this easy thing

27 Apr 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief talk, Stacy Chin reveals a simple yet powerful tactic she uses with her SBIR clients that gives them a competitive edge. Rather than focusing solely on crafting a strong proposal, she advises founders to start conversations with the SBIR program director early in the development process. By sharing what they are building, seeking feedback, and keeping the director excited about their work, founders gain insider insight into agency priorities and become top‑of‑mind when funding opportunities arise. Over a decade of experience shows that the most successful founders combine solid proposals with proactive relationship‑building and visibility, aligning their technology with the agency’s needs before the formal application stage.

Chapters

Do you wanna know a secret that I do with all my SBIR clients that gives them an unfair advantage? I've seen so many startups win because of just one thing, and it's not that hard, and it doesn't have to do with writing a strong proposal or anything. It's all about building a relationship with your SBIR program director because you wanna get them excited about what you're doing, what you're developing, and then so if an opportunity comes to mind, they're gonna start thinking about you. So this is what you do. Don't just blindly submit. Start these conversations early. Share about what you're building with them and get feedback early on because this is how you get the insider scoop about what the agency really wants fun. Because after doing this for 10 years, I found the best founders aren't just writing proposals, they're actually building relationships and visibility for alignment. Because in this SBIR world, it's not just about writing strong proposals, it's all about getting in touch with the right people that knows exactly what you're building. And that's what I tell my founders when they want to write an SBIR proposal, because