Tag: proposals
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Government Funding Isn’t Just for Big Tech: A Parent and Provider’s Guide to Education Savings Accounts
Every time I talk about government funding, people assume I mean R&D credits or defense contracts for deep tech companies. But one of the biggest, and least talked-about pots of public money in the country doesn’t go to corporations at all – It goes straight to families to use on educational needs! It’s called an…
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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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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…
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New to Government Contracting? Here Are the Basics to Get Started
One of the most common things I hear from founders and technical leads when the topic of government contracts comes up is some version of: “We’d love to pursue it, but we don’t even know where to start.” And honestly, that’s a completely fair response. The barrier to entry in government contracting isn’t just about…
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From Aerospace to Proposal Arc: Why I Started Helping Companies Win Government Funding
For the past 20 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on complex aerospace programs, from multinational corporations to early-stage startups. A big part of that world involves government funding, SBIRs, and contracts that can make or break a company’s trajectory. Government contracts can provide non-dilutive funding and early revenue pre-production, it can accelerate your…
