![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() Irwin Jacobs, Qualcomm Founder Congressional testimony Feb 2011
|
Since the overwhelming percentage of now 21,600+ SBIR participants became program active under the very different conditions of earlier years - discussed below - our systems include many previously SBIR involved firms that by today's rules of engagement might be much less likely to be awardees EITHER by their choice OR because their work is much earlier stage than seems now to be acceptable project material. Certainly it is the case that, even before full implementation, the combination of far more rigorous definition of who can be SBIR-applicant along with other changes variously impacting program management were already being reflected in program activity: who is involved, for what types of project and with what subsequent business development implications.
What data is tracked in our systems?
Our already having comprehensive systems long since structured to monitor a full range of SBIR participation factors and outcomes along with technical and business detail about awardees, it will be interesting to track how that all plays out over time. We will be offering our analyses on this site and in other mediums. Interested parties are invited to keep in touch and to use the tools provided on this site to discuss their take on how the program is working under the new rules of engagement.
Who are SBIR Awardees?
For the previous 25 years, decision to apply for SBIR research funding was far more loosely determined that it is today. The initiative being primarily that of the individuals involved - person or firm. With important focus on PI status at the time of award - versus at the time of application - it was estimated at one point several years into program operation that perhaps as high as 20 percent of the awards funding were being used
In the near term, though there are awardees in our records marked
- "Lost Trace" - particularly among those early-involved and having very limited SBIR participation: 1500+ of them
- "No info available" despite considerable digging to include principals of the firm: another 1400. Most were also SBIR-active in the earlier yaers but these also include several hundred in receipt of award within the past 8-10 years but, apparently - on the part of some, by careful choice - opt to fly under the radar
- "Out of Business" - where we know for sure - or "Out of Business(?)" where management just seems quietly to have closed the doors - sadly, a far more common occurence in the past 5-6 years. Sometimes this involves a firm having been acquired - and we pick that up later - or simply has changed it's name - a very common occurence which we also maintain as part of the the awardee record. In almost all cases, we will at least have somel level of useful information about the firm.







|