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How It Works
Meet With Us
Pre-Selection
Topic Match Up
We'll answer questions about SBIR and more specifically DOD SBIR to help you decide if this is an opportunity for you.
Submit your idea to us so we can be ready for DOD Topic Match up.
Match-making between your capabilities to the DOD BAA Topics release.
Invitation
If your company's capabilities and BAA topics match, you will be selected to participate.
Proposal Lab
You will commit to 8-weeks of intensive training to submit your DOD SBIR/STTR proposal by the day your topic closes.
Proposal Submission
You will remain a part of the KSEF family. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with you.
Submit an application to be considered for the Proposal Lab cohort. We will be in contact with you to ask you a few questions and discuss the best fit for your innovation.
We are here to help you navigate this and other SBIR/STTR opportunities.
About the Proposal Lab
Our goal is to help you to succeed at bringing your technology to market by taking advantage of the SBIR/STTR Federal programs non-dilutive funding.
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The Department of Defense SBIR/STTR programs not only have the largest budget of ~$1.8B per year, but they also invest in the most diverse technology portfolio ranging from materials to biomedical technologies.
​The DOD SBIR/STTR programs are fastest-paced, giving you only 10 weeks to prepare a competitive proposal.
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During the accelerator you will be matched with one or more topics within your capabilities and interest. You will receive virtual instruction, templates and resources to help you write your proposal, one-on-one counseling, and when possible, match-up with experts in your area.
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I have an idea. Where do I start?Sign-up for a consultation or submit your pitch. We will reach out to you to discuss your fit.
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What happens if my idea is not a good fit for DOD SBIR?You are in luck, we work with a number of partners and we have access to many resources. If your idea is not a good fit for DOD, but it could work for other agencies. The KY Innovation team at the Cabinet for Economic Development can help.
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My idea is a good fit for DOD SBIR/STTR programs, what's next?Topic match-up will be two days after the DOD will release their BAA topics (Dec, Apr, Aug). We will work with you to review those topics and find a match. If none of the topics work for you, we can still help you submit to other SBIR programs.
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The Proposal Lab is 8-weeks long, do I have to commit all that time?Yes, spots are limited. If you don't think you can commit to 200-300 hours of work, then let someone else have that opportunity.
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If I complete the program and I win a DOD award, what happens?You will be our poster company on social media! You will also be eligible for the KY SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program. We are dedicating all of our resources to promote your company along the way.
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I have an idea. Where do I start?Sign-up for a consultation or submit your pitch. We will reach out to you to discuss your fit.
-
What happens if my idea is not a good fit for DOD SBIR?You are in luck, we work with a number of partners and we have access to many resources. If your idea is not a good fit for DOD, but it could work for other agencies. The KY Innovation team at the Cabinet for Economic Development can help.
-
My idea is a good fit for DOD SBIR/STTR programs, what's next?Topic match-up will be two days after the DOD will release their BAA topics (Dec, Apr, Aug). We will work with you to review those topics and find a match. If none of the topics work for you, we can still help you submit to other SBIR programs.
-
The Proposal Lab is 8-weeks long, do I have to commit all that time?Yes, spots are limited. If you don't think you can commit to 200-300 hours of work, then let someone else have that opportunity.
-
If I complete the program and I win a DOD award, what happens?You will be our poster company on social media! You will also be eligible for the KY SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program. We are dedicating all of our resources to promote your company along the way.
News and Updates
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I have an idea. Where do I start?Sign-up for a consultation or submit your pitch. We will reach out to you to discuss your fit.
-
What happens if my idea is not a good fit for DOD SBIR?You are in luck, we work with a number of partners and we have access to many resources. If your idea is not a good fit for DOD, but it could work for other agencies. The KY Innovation team at the Cabinet for Economic Development can help.
-
My idea is a good fit for DOD SBIR/STTR programs, what's next?Topic match-up will be two days after the DOD will release their BAA topics (Dec, Apr, Aug). We will work with you to review those topics and find a match. If none of the topics work for you, we can still help you submit to other SBIR programs.
-
The Proposal Lab is 8-weeks long, do I have to commit all that time?Yes, spots are limited. If you don't think you can commit to 200-300 hours of work, then let someone else have that opportunity.
-
If I complete the program and I win a DOD award, what happens?You will be our poster company on social media! You will also be eligible for the KY SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program. We are dedicating all of our resources to promote your company along the way.
Meet The Team
![headshot_standing[40].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/969e3a_cd2c6d8355734f90b6ac5b31352b8d6d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_1024,h_1058/fill/w_210,h_217,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/headshot_standing%5B40%5D.jpg)
Emilie Clemmens
Associate Director of Innovation, Health and Biosciences
Nancy Brown
KY APEX Accelerator State Director
Kristine McNiel
KY Innovation Project Manager
Maria Labreveux
KSEF Executive Director
Kay Lee
Associate Director of Innovation, Human Factor
Ellie Derbyshire
Associate Director of Innovation, Environment and Materials
Alana Morgan
Impact Strategist