Are you the founder of a STEM startup suddenly dealing with the VC pipeline closing up? Are you intrigued by the influx of federal funding, especially into climate-related fields, but even other sectors more broadly? Have you ever tried diving into the wide world of government grants but quickly realized you’re out of your depth?

In this episode, Christine E.B. Howard, CEO & Founder of E.B. Howard Consulting talks about the HOW and WHAT of government grant funding for for-profit startups, what you need to know and do to prepare your startup for grants, what startup founders miss about the must-have factors to qualify for government grants, especially for STEM startups, and much more.

Episode Highlights

1. An overview of sources of government funding, and how federal grants differ from state grants
2. How to begin your search for “right fit” grant sources
3. An introduction to SBIR & STTR grants, and baseline eligibility requirements
4. Pros and cons of SBIR grants
5. Factors driving the success rate of grant funding, and how to assess your application’s chances intelligently
6. The grant application process – a high-level overview
7. A simple checklist to assess your startup’s eligibility for science and technology grants
8. Common mistakes and pitfalls that trip up entrepreneurs in the grant funding process
9. A practical roadmap to evaluate and apply for right-fit government grants
10. How to be a diligent grantee once you’ve won the grant
11. Surprising benefits of applying for government grants even if you get rejected
12. A quick overview of other sources of government funding support for women entrepreneurs

Listen to the federal grant podcast here

Ep 40 – A Primer on Federal Grant Funding

Christine E.B. Howard is passionate about equal and equitable access to funding (dilutive and non-dilutive) for historically underrepresented founders of start-ups. It is her ambition to support the innovation ecosystem and promote inclusive economic growth. She believes inclusivity is imperative for innovation, and building a strong and diverse economy where all our citizens thrive is essential.

About Achiiv

Achiiv is the only platform helping women entrepreneurs master business finance by offering insight, guidance, and support for greater success and impact.

Achiiv was founded by Shubha Chakravarthy, a recovering banker, and new entrepreneur frustrated by how hard it is for women entrepreneurs to access insider networks and the financial smarts they need to succeed in business.

Links and Resources for federal funding

• Grants.gov: The system that provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities.
• SBIR.gov: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. 
• Sam.gov: The official US government site for contract listing, entity reporting, contract reporting, etc.

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We work with high-growth startups and organizations that support the startup and innovation ecosystem. We build highly specific non-dilutive funding menus, provide proposal preparation services, and measure outcomes of funding through evaluation. Schedule a consult call with us HERE.

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