Hazards for managers entering the SBIR program

The U.S. Government established the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program to provide an avenue for funding research and development projects. It is heavily marketed by the government and can be a way for technical entrepreneurs to bring new technology to fruition. The program also has risks for the aspiring inventor, many of which aren´t apparent until after the contractual commitment to the government has been formalized. This paper discusses some of the risks that should be contemplated in evaluating the SBIR program. It is written for the seasoned technical professional or manager who is considering the program as a route to marketing a new idea.