Courses

Venture capital isn’t the only path to funding innovation. Each year, billions of dollars in federal grants and contracts are awarded to startups developing breakthrough technologies—without requiring founders to give up equity. This course demystifies how to access and compete for these opportunities, offering a clear view of the US government’s innovation funding landscape. Students will learn to navigate programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) initiatives—the government’s flagship sources of non-dilutive support for startups. Through case studies and hands-on exercises, students will learn to identify the right agencies, craft strong proposal aims, build budgets and teams, and navigate the review and due diligence process. The course also examines additional mechanisms that fund technology development across stages of growth. By the end, participants will have a structured framework and practical toolkit for strategically leveraging government funding as part of a broader fundraising strategy.