Government Funding
Unlock Non-Dilutive Funding for Startups
Government funding is one of the most powerful yet underutilized ways to bring innovative products to market without giving up equity.
Programs like SBIR funding, STTR funding, and federal grants and contracts offer startups a competitive edge, but winning these awards requires strategic planning, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong technical team.
ATDC’s government funding assistance program supports entrepreneurs and startups across all tech-related sectors, helping founders navigate the complex application process and maximize success.
Over the past decade, ATDC companies have secured more than $125 million in government funding for startups through federal grants and contracts. Our SBIR/STTR assistance program is a proven accelerator, enabling founders to submit winning proposals, execute projects effectively, and commercialize their technologies faster than the competition.
Meet Connie Casteel
SBIR/STTR Connect Catalyst
Connie Casteel serves as the SBIR and STTR Connect Catalyst at ATDC, where she specializes in SBIR funding and STTR funding, helping entrepreneurs and startups across Georgia understand and secure federal support through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Connie also acts as a liaison to the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech, supporting commercialization and innovation efforts statewide.
How We Help Startups with SBIR and STTR Funding
- Educating and informing on the basics of the SBIR and STTR programs
- Notifying the entrepreneurial community when new agency solicitations are released
- Monitoring solicitations and alerting the entrepreneurial community of changes and new requirements
- Creating how-to-guides and tip sheets on proposal preparation, agency registrations and electronic submission, budgeting basics, etc.
- Coaching through the proposal process
- Serving as a local SBIR/STTR Q&A resource
- Reviewing and critiquing proposals
- Referring founders to partner organizations, community resources, and support services as appropriate
- Providing informational sessions on various SBIR/STTR topics
- Connections to agency contacts
ATDC teaches classes that are free & open to the public on SBIR/STTR funding.
Case Studies
CARBICE
Carbice, a recognized disruptor in clean tech, pioneered nanomaterial-based thermal packaging solutions to improve heat transfer in advanced systems. With ATDC’s guidance, the company secured $2.9 million in early non-dilutive funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Defense (DoD), enabling rapid innovation and commercialization. Today, Carbice’s flagship product, the Carbice Space Pad™, is integrated into nearly every satellite solution in orbit.
PINDROP
In 2013, Pindrop, a pioneer in phone fraud detection and call center authentication technology, turned to ATDC’s grant assistance program to secure its first non-dilutive funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF). That initial SBIR award provided critical resources to advance its technology without sacrificing equity. As of 2022, the company holds 47 patents, employs 300 people, and was valued at $900 million.
SILA
Sila, one of ATDC’s graduate unicorns in the energy sector, revolutionized battery technology with its advanced materials designed to supercharge energy storage. Leveraging ATDC’s grant assistance program, Sila secured $5.2 million in non-dilutive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, fueling its early growth and innovation. Today, Sila boasts a $3.3 billion valuation and employs 400 people.
Frequently Asked Questions about Government Funding
What is SBIR?
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive award process, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s research and development (R&D) arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific R&D needs.
What is STTR?
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation arena. Central to the program is the expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include joint venture opportunities between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. STTR’s most important role is to bridge the gap between the performance of basic science and the commercialization of resulting innovations.
What are the general requirements to submit for an SBIR or STTR award?
- Must be a small business (total employees must be under 500 employees, including affiliates)
- The business must be organized for profit (cannot be a non-profit entity)
- Must be at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or U.S. resident aliens (“green card” holder)*
- Business must be located in the United States and the proposed research must be carried out in the United States
- The company and/or Principal Investigator (PI) must have creditable experience (ability to demonstrate this on paper) working on leading-edge research proposed
- The company must demonstrate the knowledge necessary to commercialize the potential innovation
- Proposed research must match a solicitation topic from one of the participating eleven agencies
(*NOTE: Limited VC ownership is sometimes permissible with select agencies)
Which Federal Agencies Participate in SBIR?
Each year, Federal agencies with extramural R&D budgets that exceed $100 million are required to allocate a certain percentage of their R&D budget to the SBIR program. Currently, eleven Federal agencies participate in the program:
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Department of Commerce – National Institute of Standards and Technology (DOC-NIST)
- Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC-NOAA)
- Department of Defense/Department of War (DoD/DoW)
- Department of Education (DOEd)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Science Foundation
Which Agencies Participate in STTR?
Each year, Federal Agencies with extramural R&D budgets that exceed $1 billion are required to reserve a certain percentage of the extramural research budget for STTR awards to small businesses. These agencies designate R&D topics and accept proposals. Currently, six agencies participate in the STTR program.
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Department of Defense/Department of War (DoD/DoW)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
What are the award sizes?
SBIR and STTR award sizes vary with each participating agency. Awards can be up to $2 million.
What is Non-dilutive funding?
Non-dilutive funding is capital secured by businesses, particularly startups, without relinquishing ownership, equity, or voting control.