The new Administration has recently issued a series of Executive Orders and agency memos in rapid succession. These various policy directives have caused confusion, uncertainty, concern and even fear. It is likely that additional policy directives will be forthcoming in the days and weeks to come. As these various directives are issued, we encourage the following:
If an agency contacts you directly, be sure it is from a government agency, and be careful about clicking links that do NOT have a ".gov" or ".mil" extension.
Check agency websites for updates on solicitations, deadlines, and policy changes. UNTIL you verify that a previously posted deadline, solicitation, or policy has been changed, ASSUME the previous requirements are still valid. In other words, DON'T ASSUME an agency will postpone a deadline unless you can verify the change. It is best to assume the deadline remains the same... and then if the deadline IS extended you will have additional time to respond.
If your firm is experiencing direct hardships (such as funding shortages, inability to make payroll, supply chain cost increases, etc) as a result from the policy changes, make sure to quantify the impact. Then contact your local United States Congressperson and/or United States Senator (https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member). Respectfully let each office know of the impact these policy changes are having on your company.
If you have a SBIR/STTR award - Develop a contingency budget accounting for potential funding delays; Document any project timeline impacts; Maintain detailed records of all communications; Consider adjusting project milestones to accommodate potential delays; and Identify any critical deadlines or payments that may be affected.
Know that the ownership and staff at BBCetc are FULLY COMMITTED to assisting you as you apply to SBIR/STTR and other federal R&D funding programs. We recognize that the past weeks have been anything but “normal.” BBCetc staff are closely monitoring changes and are in communication with agency contacts. BBCetc is committed to mitigating the confusion, uncertainty & fear caused by these changes, and encourage you to do the same.
IP Protection Strategies for Early-Stage Technology Companies:
A Comprehensive Approach
Early-stage technology companies face unique challenges in protecting their intellectual property assets while managing limited resources. A well-structured IP strategy can provide competitive advantages and enhance company valuation during fundraising.
Read on to learn key considerations across the four primary IP protection categories, with practical implementation examples.
Preparing Your Company for Tax Filing:
Section 174
Last month we hosted a special "From the Sources Mouth" featuring Dave Finklang, CPA/CGMA, MBA, a tax partner and leader of the startup and entrepreneurial services team atAnders CPAs + Advisors. The session provided critical insights to help your business potentially reduce your tax burden for 2024 and future years. If you missed the live session you can watch the recording on our website,here.
From the Sources' Mouth with DOD
Don’t miss your chance to hear directly from Regina Sims, The Director of the Defense SBIR/STTR Program Office!
The DOD SBIR and STTR programs offer a wide range of opportunities for small firms to address military needs in just about every technology area from software to training systems, from medical products to air, land and sea platforms. As a procuring agency the DOD relies on small businesses innovation to protect the nation and enhance our warfighting capabilities.
Join this 1-hour overview of the DOD SBIR program and learn, from the source, what technologies they are looking for and what’s needed to submit a successful proposal.
Up to twelve (12) finalists will receive a cash prize of $20,000 each and an invitation to participate in a live experimentation event with a panel of Army and DoD subject matter experts (SMEs) in Fall 2025
Final winners of the competition with technologies that demonstrate sufficient maturity for direct prototype development will have the opportunity to submit a D2PhII Army SBIR proposal worth up to $2 million!
We recommend you sign up for notifications at the link above if not already signed up.
About BBCetc
BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, LLC (BBCetc) works with technology-based entrepreneurs and companies across the U.S. on strategies to advance their R&D efforts to commercialization. The BBCetc team is nationally recognized for its success in helping clients secure federal funding through the SBIR and STTR programs. BBCetc services include research grant assistance, SBIR/STTR training and proposal development assistance, and grants and contract management.
