Objective
The objective of the DARPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Transition & Commercialization Support Program is to support transition and commercialization planning and implementation activities to increase the potential for a company to move its developed technology beyond Phase II and into the DoD military services, other federal agencies and/or the commercial market.
Approach
The Foundation for Enterprise Development (FED), under contract to the DARPA Small Business Programs Office (SBPO), provides, at no cost to the Company, technology transition and commercialization support to small businesses that have one or more active DARPA‐funded SBIR and/or STTR Phase 2 projects. A customized plan for transition and commercialization activities is developed in concert by the FED and the company and is conducted during the Phase 2 contract period of performance, not to exceed 24 months.
- Transition Assistance
- Success Reports
- Outreach, Tools and Resources
- Company Participation Process
Companies that elect to participate in the Program may receive as part of a customized plan, high level review of the company's transition and commercialization strategy, planning support, collaboration partner identification and introductions, marketing materials development support, and identification of thought leadership opportunities.
Companies that have transitioned or commercialized DARPA funded technologies will have the opportunity to document their success in a DARPA Success Report that may be used to further support a company’s marketing and business development activities. Success Reports may be viewed
here.
The FED will assist the DARPA SBPO in organizing and conducting activities at targeted conferences to increase awareness of the DARPA SBIR/STTR program, promote transition success, share lessons learned and best practices. The FED will also maintain a comprehensive suite of multi‐media materials on the DARPA web site and deliver an on‐line training session aimed at assisting companies in refining their transition strategy for commercial markets.
Company participation is voluntary. Those electing to participate will submit a signed Technology Transition Acceptance Form to the FED. Upon receipt of the Acceptance Form, a one‐hour kick off telephone conference will be scheduled with the FED’s Transition & Commercialization Team to discuss the SBIR/STTR project, the transition & commercialization plans/goals and areas where support is needed.
Doing Business with DARPA - A Small Business Primer
There are several ways for small businesses to do business with DARPA. This video will describe opportunities available for small businesses to obtain funding and other kinds of support for innovative research and development projects in areas of national need and, what assistance DARPA offers to help you transition your technologies and solutions to the military services, other federal agencies, and the commercial marketplace.
Primer Video: How to do Business with DARPA
DARPA SBIR/STTR Transition Planning Guide -Framework, Checklists, and References to Key Resources
This guide covers the unique aspects of transitioning technology funded by the DARPA SBIR/STTR programs, and provides a framework that integrates three components technology, business, and market-for Phase II companies to augment their commercialization strategy for implementation and, if Phase I, to support development of a commercialization strategy for inclusion in a Phase II proposal.
In addition, there is a set of checklists, templates, and resource lists to assist companies in addressing and compiling the critical and interrelated pieces of information needed to determine which of the multiple available options to pursue with a specific transition path.
The guide is being updated with recent web links and to reflect the latest checklists found in the SBPT.
DARPA SBIR/STTR Transition Planning Guide (download .pdf)
DARPA Small Business Planning Tool (SBPT)-Web Tool Providing Framework, Checklists, and Reports
This is a self-assessment tool to help your company define or refine your commercialization strategy, assess the status of your current transition plan, and prioritize the important next steps to transition the technology/component/product you are developing into DoD and other federal and commercial markets.
DARPA Small Business Planning Tool (SBPT)