How do you leverage SBIR funding to attract private investors and partners for your small business?

1 Understand your goals

Before you start looking for potential investors and partners, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your SBIR project and beyond. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How do you measure your progress and impact? How do you plan to scale and sustain your business? Having a well-defined strategy and roadmap will help you communicate your value proposition and differentiate yourself from other competitors.

2 Showcase your credibility

One of the benefits of getting an SBIR award is that it validates your technology and your team. It shows that you have passed a rigorous review process and that you have a customer in the government. You can use this as a proof of concept and a marketing tool to attract more attention and interest from private investors and partners. You can highlight your SBIR award on your website, social media, pitch deck, and press releases. You can also participate in SBIR events, webinars, and showcases to network with other stakeholders and showcase your achievements.

3 Build relationships

Another way to leverage your SBIR award is to build relationships with potential investors and partners who share your vision and mission. You can research and identify who are the key players in your industry, what are their pain points and needs, and how can you offer a solution or a collaboration. You can reach out to them via email, phone, or social media, and introduce yourself and your SBIR project. You can also ask for referrals, introductions, or feedback from your existing contacts, mentors, or advisors. The goal is to establish trust and rapport, and to demonstrate how you can add value to them.