What is SBIR?

The Small Business Innovation Research program is the largest source of early-stage R&D funding for small businesses in the United States. Eleven federal agencies participate, including the Department of Defense, NASA, NIH, and the Department of Energy.

SBIR awards are structured in three phases:

Phase I: Up to $250,000. Prove the concept works. Awards typically last 6 months.

Phase II: Up to $1.7M. Build and test the technology. Only Phase I graduates can apply. Awards last up to 2 years.

Phase III: No SBIR funds, but agencies can sole-source contracts to Phase II graduates. This is where the real commercial value is created.

SBIR is non-dilutive. You keep your equity. The government funds your R&D in exchange for the right to use what you build.

Most companies that qualify for SBIR never apply. The opportunities are real. The competition is lower than you think. Turrera finds the right topics for your company and helps you submit a competitive proposal.