The Sixth-Year Spike: Unraveling the SBIR Success Timeline
A deep dive into FY2023's deep tech SBIR/STTR data uncovers when winners hit their stride
Happy March! If you're deep in the trenches like so many of us, eagerly gunning for that SBIR funding, then you're in the right place. Who would pass up on non-dilutive capital to supercharge growth and development? If you're as young, green, and unabashedly naive as we are, then you've likely smacked into the daunting reality of the awarding maze.
Pounding the phones like a boiler room call center operative, dialing up every potential contact, it's natural to wonder: How does a company, barely a yearling, amass enough clout to maneuver through this maze? Is there some guru out there who can shed light on the typical age of companies when they finally hit the SBIR jackpot? Well, strap in—turns out, we're that guru.
Here we are, after dissecting all the SBIR and STTR awards from fiscal year 2023 in the deep tech sector—totting up to nearly hefty 2 billion dollars. We've combed through the data, hunting down company ages where we can, and charting them out.
And the big reveal? Most SBIR and STTR champs are not fresh-faced startups; they're 3-10 years into their journey. There's a pronounced spike in awards for companies at the ripe age of 5-7 across all SBIR phases. Makes sense, doesn't it? A good three years to decode the enigmatic system, a couple more to build those crucial connections, and maybe another few to grow and find your stride.
Feeling a tad frustrated with your first go at it? Keep this in mind: it's a marathon, not a sprint. That learning curve might be sharp enough to give you vertigo, but if you can stick it out and continue to refine your approach, that enchanting five-year mark might just be where the stars align.
So, here's a dollop of unvarnished startup wisdom: learning the ins and outs takes years, but stick-to-itiveness is your best ally. Keep on plugging away, and with a dash of fortune and a truckload of elbow grease, you could be the one basking in the SBIR glory down the line.