SBIR - A Nice Add-on Business

If you are a small business and qualify to participate in the SBIR program, it is a natural enhancer to your existing business. If you are small enough you may be able to start a company using SBIR funding, but you will soon come to realize that if your sources of income are not diversified (with SBIR being only one source) you might fall victim to funding cycles and no income. Although the Government provides funding to spawn technology its dual mission is to help that technology grow into viable commercial technology. If you can not bring your SBIR funding to fruition via commercialization, then you may find yourself receiving less and less funding as the years unfold.

Also, there are fluctuations with regard to prioritization among technological programs in the Government. One year you might receive an SBIR Phase I to do a feasibility study on XYZ and you might even be lucky enough to land a Phase II where the funding is three quarters of a million dollars to put a prototype together based on your Phase I findings. The customer might be so pleased with your work on the Phase II that you are told they are going to budget X millions of dollars to order X # of these gizmos. And then you play the waiting game. You wait, and wait, and wait? What happened? Well, the classic situation is that it takes the Government so long to get the wheels in motion for a significant buy, that by the time the Government is ready to purchase, priorities and agendas have changed. Where are you? You start looking at the SBIR solicitation for Phase I's again and the SBIR cycle starts over.

Another classic SBIR scenario is when you have lots of phase I and phase II programs going on and all of a sudden there has been a funding freeze for one reason or another. Perhaps an agenda has been delayed or a budget is not yet approved by the Government. If you participate only in the Government arena, poof ? your business is at a standstill until this roadblock is cleared. That's why the SBIR program is a great add-on to an existing business rather than a sole enterprise.

The best course of action is to scout the solicitations and find a topic or area of research that your technology can solve. If it proves to be a viable solution for the Government it may also prove to be a nice added source of funding to further your technology, courtesy of the US Government!

Nonetheless, beware. This opportunity does not come without its unique complexities. As with any business venture, one must move forward with caution and know what the implications are or will be to your existing business. Of specific importance is the ownership of Intellectual Property, best customer pricing and authority. If you are not sure what the implications are you should consult someone who does before jumping into the federal market.

Lisa DeMaio is the president and founder of Virtual Contract Manager, LLC, which is a one-stop "information shop" for and about the Contract Management Community and the SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) Program. Let Virtual Contract Manager coach you on how to integrate the SBIR program into your existing business. Come visit Virtual Contract Manager and get a wealth of FREE SBIR information on our Free Articles Page and to sign up for our content-rich monthly newsletter which features one article a month on the SBIR program. Let Virtual Contract Manager help you tap the federal market and help fund your research or innovative technology. http://www.virtualcontractmanager.com/

---

Franchise Companies Come and Go

Each day we hear of companies entering the franchising industry.... Read More

We Know Who THEY Are

Am I the only one that does not have an... Read More

Boy oh Boy, The Obstructions and Obstacles

The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More

The Key to Creating Total System Empowerment

In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More

Consistency Builds Trust

You know your prospects need what you sell. You know... Read More

How Mastering 5 Essential Money Making Ideas Can Lead Your Business to Longterm Cashflow

Essentially there are 5 tremendously powerful methods to make money... Read More

Aircraft Washing Service Operations Manual

Anyone who is serious about washing aircraft as a full... Read More

Franchise Buyers Lying On Forms

The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More

Top Ten Tips for Leveraging Conferences for Big SUCCESS!

As I am preparing for my attendance to the CoachVille's... Read More

Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise

All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More

Genius Time? It Matters

I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More

The More you GIVE the More you GET

Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More

Don?t Wait for the Perfect Plan

1. Don't Spend Too Much Time PlanningWhen you are entering... Read More

Hosted PBX, Is It Right For You?

"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More

Temporary Staffing Agency: How to Start

The temporary staffing industry continues to expand, with yearly double-digit... Read More

The Workers? Compensation Situation in this Country is Nuts, Arnold in CA Takes Action

The Workers' Compensation situation in this country is unbelievable. Why,... Read More

Dont Let Your Small Business Fall in the FDCPA Trap

When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More

Employee Relations Manual Sample Outline

Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More

Knowledge is Power

Why does research and education play an important part of... Read More

What Help is there for Veterans Starting a Business?

Some of the very qualities that attract people to the... Read More

Bad Regulators Cost Small Businesses

When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More

Business Relationships Defined

What makes a business relationship?What really makes a business relationship?... Read More

Franchising and Royalty Payments

If you are thinking of turning your current into a... Read More

Three Big Barriers To Small Business Marketing Success

When you feel like you're always busy working on your... Read More

Motorcycle Detailing Procedures Manual Sample Outline

If you are a motorcycle detailer and need to expand... Read More

Smart PR Tactics for Small Businesses

Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More

What is your Motto?

Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More

How Small Business And Nonprofits Can Afford Multimedia For The Web

Multimedia is everywhere on the Internet, whether in the form... Read More

Why The Carwash Industry is Stagnant; What You Can Do to Change Your Field

Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More

Starting a Pressure Washing Business

Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More

Cash Flow: Why Chaos Equals Poor Cash Flow

Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More

Get In Touch With Your Competition!

We all know that competition is an ugly word but... Read More

7 Essentinal Resources for Small Business

So you want to start a business but you don't... Read More