Innovation Funding for

Startups & Small Businesses

Startups & Small Businesses

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were built specifically to help startups bring bold ideas to market. Each year, over $4 billion in non-dilutive funding is awarded to early-stage companies developing innovative technologies.

Award Amounts

  • Phase I: ~$250,000 to prove feasibility and build prototypes

  • Phase II: $750,000–$2,000,000 for development and scaling

  • Phase III: Often $5M+ in sole-source contracts and follow-on funding

Key Benefits

  • Retain More Equity and Keep More Money on Exit
    $5M in SBIR/STTR awards means you don’t give up 20–30% equity in a seed round.

  • Build Credibility and Traction
    Federal funding helps you build prototypes, validate concepts, and even generate early revenue—before your product is fully commercialized. This makes you more attractive to investors, partners, and customers.

  • Unlock Exclusive Follow-On Funding
    Many SBIR/STTR awards come with non-competed extensions and sole-source contracting pathways, letting you secure additional contracts without RFP cycles.

How We Work (Process)

  • Complementary Consultation: In 20-minutes we will identify the best opportunities for you.

  • Complementary Due Diligence: In 2-4 days we will examine your likelihood of securing grant through these opportunities.

  • Proposal: We will share the results of our Due Diligence, and if you have a high likelihood of success, offer services via a proposal tailored to your needs. We only offer services to ~10% of clients we have initial consultations with.

  • Start Engagement: Once you accept, we will start engagement. One full grant proposal normally takes 8-12 weeks to prepare.

Full Services Include

  • Kick-Off Meeting to discuss strategy and process

  • Creation and use of data collection forms to retrieve your subject matter expertise

  • Assistance in completing the necessary registrations

  • Securing a Customer Memorandum or LOI

  • Consultation on strategy for both the research and commercialization plan

  • Organizing meetings with program managers when applicable

  • Writing all narrative sections of the proposal

  • Completing all administrative sections of the proposal

  • Consultation on creating and formalizing the budget

  • Ensuring proposal meets all compliance requirements

  • Submitting the application

Our Services

Federal funding is one of the fastest ways to grow your business—but only if you pursue the right opportunities and prepare winning proposals. Many companies waste time chasing after multiple grants that aren’t a fit, or get bogged down in the complexity of requirements. That’s where we come in.

We make the process strategic, efficient, and effective. Our team ensures you target the best-fit funding opportunities, streamline proposal preparation, and maximize your odds of success—all while letting you stay focused on running your business.

What You Get with Us

  • Targeted Strategy
    We don’t just help you apply to everything—we identify and prioritize the opportunities that align with your technology, business goals, and growth timeline.

  • Time Savings
    Instead of spending 10+ hours a week wrestling with requirements, forms, and documents, we reduce your effort to about 2 hours a week—keeping you engaged without draining your schedule.

  • Higher Success Rates
    On average, our clients see 3x higher likelihood of winning awards compared to the national average. We know what reviewers look for, and we help you deliver it.

Pricing

Single Proposals:

  • Phase I SBIR/STTR: $9,000 + 5% success fee

  • Phase II SBIR/STTR: $13,000 + 5% success fee

  • Phase III SBIR: Custom Pricing

  • BAAs (or similar): $15,000 + 5% success fee

Retainer: 3 concurrent proposals (6–12/yr): $6,000/mo + 5% success fee

Fractional Services: $250/hr (10-hour minimum)

What our Clients are Saying

  • A smiling older man with glasses, wearing a blue blazer and light blue shirt, in an office setting.

    “The team is very responsive and knowledgeable.”

    Ian Bishop
    President at Elemental Advanced Materials

  • A man in a beige suit and dark tie standing outdoors with a city skyline in the background.

    "The team did an outstanding job making sure we met every milestone and checked every box well in advance of the deadline."

    Rand Ragusa
    Co-Founder at Quick Take Health

  • Smiling woman with blonde hair tied back, wearing a beige blazer and large gold earrings, standing near a window with greenery outside.

    “Rockstar A-team that has a great attitude, knows there stuff, collaborates well!”

    Kate Maloney
    CEO at Sleep Easy

  • Close-up of a middle-aged man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a light beard, looking directly at the camera.

    “BW&CO provided invaluable guidance throughout the SBIR process, especially in navigating company registration and ensuring full compliance with DoD requirements.”

    Aliaksei Stratsilatau
    CEO at UAVOS

 FAQs

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.