About the Small Business Programs Office
At DARPA, we recognize that the ideas that can lead to breakthrough technologies for national security often come from the small business community.
Our Small Business Programs Office (SBPO) develops relationships with U.S. small businesses to help them take advantage of opportunities with DARPA. We help firms understand our mission, culture, policies, and procedures so they can participate in research programs through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards, seedlings, and explorations.
We also help connect small business performers with academic partners and other federal agencies to further develop and commercialize technologies that result from DARPA programs.
Connect with us
Our SBPO staff participate in numerous technology and industry conferences and other events across the country – as attendees, presenters, and exhibitors.
Get started
The best place to start is by joining DARPAConnect. This community offers on-demand webinars, coaching, mentoring, and other resources to understand how we work.
- Need a high-level overview of opportunities open to small businesses? | Read Doing Business with DARPA
- Not sure about the difference between SBIR and STTR? | Read our overview
- New to the SBIR/STTR process? | Get a step-by-step walkthrough
Topics
To achieve DARPA’s mission to create technological surprise, the agency makes strategic, early investments in science and technology that will have long-term positive impacts on our national security. | See all DARPA programs
Leadership
Small Business Programs Office leadership is responsible for guiding and overseeing the research and development activities within specific technical areas DARPA.