To win a government grant as a startup or small business, it takes persistence, attention to detail and patience.
That was a small part of the wisdom imparted by an expert panel Friday, March 28, to an audience of more than 60 people at Sunstone Management headquarters. The session was organized by the Sunstone Advisors team.
Dr. Wade Martin, director of the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Cal State Long Beach and a professor in the economics department there, moderated the panel. Speakers were Benjamin M. Cadranel, grant writing expert and head of West Coast operations for Scout Climate; Ahmed Zobi, CEO of Syntr Health Technologies, Inc.; and Earle Hager, managing partner of The Neutrino Donut, LLC and Tech Star affiliate.
The focus Friday was winning grants for product development and commercialization from two specific Small Business Administration programs – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). Several government departments support these programs, from defense to drug development.
These grants are a concrete example of public-private partnerships (P3) that are central to Sunstone’s business and economic development philosophy. The key, the panelists said, it to find the right grant source and the partners to help you complete the long process.
Ahmed Zobi has won grants for his own company and also consults with other entrepreneurs seeking SBIR/STTR grants. He said he leveraged his experience at and partnership with the University of California Irvine to take his grant application to the top of the pile.
“We applied in 2016 out of UCI, and received the grant in September 2017,” he said. “It was $300,000 for the first phase (development). We did get a phase two grant, but not until 2023… It takes time, and it is a lot of work.”
Benjamin Cadranel said that these grant programs are designed to advance technology, benefiting both private and public sectors. The restriction to small businesses makes them a perfect resource for startups.
“Basically any U.S.-based small business is eligible,” Cadranel said. “Once you’ve established basic eligibility, then you look at suitability. What program would be interested in your idea or product?”
Earle Hager emphasized the need to have all of the necessary information ready before you start, and to have additional expertise on hand when necessary.
“You have to have your team in place, or almost in place,” he said. “It’s important to understand the process, too. Don’t do a lot of work only to have it rejected out of hand because you sent it to the wrong place. My advice – don’t do it alone.”
Details, data and research all matter when applying for a grant, the experts said. Grant approvals are a human process, and it helps to think like the reviewer might think when you write. Focusing on the significance and innovation of your proposal will attract attention.
“It’s true that since Jan. 20 (the presidential inauguration), there is some uncertainty,” Cadranel said. “Staffing is in flux. But business is a priority for this administration, and these programs will continue.”
This grant writing workshop is part of an ongoing educational series sponsored by Sunstone. Also, Sunstone Stage Connects, where founders and investors get together to hear a pitch and make connections, is offered every Friday.
For more information, go to sunstoneinvestment.com or email angie.zuo@sunstoneinvestment.com.