Tag: contracts
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There Is Another Way! Founders Don’t Need to Choose Between Equity and Sanity
The Meme A meme stopped me mid-scroll the other day because it captured something I hear from founders all the time, and something I have faced myself. There was a classic fork-in-the-road image. On one side: a fundraising round, with the warning “dilute your ownership.” On the other side: SAM.gov, with the warning “dilute your…
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Why Many Small Businesses Never Win Government Funding: They Never Apply
One of the biggest reasons small businesses do not win government funding is simple: they never apply. That may sound obvious, but it is a real barrier. Many startups and small businesses are strong candidates for government contracts, grants, SBIR/STTR programs, or other non-dilutive funding opportunities. They have relevant technology. They have real technical expertise.…
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Set-Aside Certifications: What They Are, What They’re Worth, and What to Do After You Have One
If you run a small business and you’ve heard the term ‘set-aside certification’ in govcon but aren’t entirely sure what it means or whether it applies to you – this post is for you. And if you’re already certified and wondering why the contracts still aren’t coming, keep reading. Set-aside certifications are one of the…
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What I would do differently: Hard-Won Strategic Advice for SBIR and Government Contract Applicants
“What would you do differently on your government contracts, and how would you be more strategic about them in hindsight?” A client asked me this question this week, and I suspect it’s one many founders have – whether they’re mid-submission or just starting to think seriously about government funding for the first time. I’ve personally…
