Josiah Wegner

Helping deep-tech and dual-use founders win SBIR/STTR, DoD and other federal funding. CEO, BW&CO.

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Does the CR mean my SBIR won't be funded? No. SBIR is authorized through 2031 and is a fixed share of agency R&D budgets, which keep flowing under the CR. The real risk is timing: plan cash as if pending awards land after Dec 11.
https://t.co/8iiMUNNQq2
Photo: USAF/David Dixon

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Areas of interest and how to apply: https://t.co/qUw744CxQh

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Red River Army Depot's new CSO is open through Sept 2027 for robotics, automation, AI process monitoring, warehouse systems, paint and surface finishing. Build any of these? Apply. Five-page brief, fixed-price award. Link in reply.

Photo: DLA/Dorie Heyer

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Found the gap? Here is how to fund it through Cornerstone SAMDIB, the industrial-base OT that funds IBAS projects: https://t.co/5ICZuKOjKo

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Big missile multiyears go to the prime. If you want in as a second source, prove two things first: the part's users want another supplier, and a second source removes a real supply risk. Then learn the qualification path.

Which part would you start with?

Photo: U.S. Army

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

The call (white papers due Nov 16): https://t.co/C27hK9pLFp
More on the HERMES master BAA: https://t.co/SveJohuloN

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

AFRL's rocket engine RFI ruled out designs needing "exotic materials and exquisite manufacturing techniques." It also asked about thermal management, test facilities and AI/ML models. Non-engine suppliers: lead with cost and production evidence.

Photo: U.S. Air Force

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

@ArgusPlatformAI Fair question. The bar is TRL 7, $10M raised and $2M revenue, so it's built for firms already close to a buyer. Earlier companies need a different route in.

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Get sponsored for a Top Secret facility clearance with no classified contract first. DIU's CLASS ACT does it for maritime counter-drone firms. Bar: TRL 7, $10M raised, $2M revenue. Pay may be $2,500 or $0. Due Oct 13. https://t.co/DADgvwzPyJ Photo: U.S. Navy

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

How it works, who qualifies and how to apply: https://t.co/mnvWOI6KGH

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

DIU opened a low-cost ISR drone challenge: $100M prize and follow-on pool. Mature medium and long endurance aircraft, 15-slide deck, FY27 fly-offs and a path to follow-on deals without a new competition. Payload and autonomy firms can join platform teams. Due Oct 14. Photo: USMC

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

How NSF SBIR works, who qualifies and how to start with a Project Pitch: https://t.co/5xPXCEsBLj

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Deep tech founders: NSF offers non-dilutive funding for tech too early for DoW. If yours rests on a new scientific result and has a real market, NSF SBIR pays up to $305K for Phase I with no equity. The bar is technical risk.

Which stage is your tech in? Photo: NIST

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

@AtomsNotBits @TiberiusInc @AtomsNotBits Are they buying companies that already have production contracts, or funding the scale-up before the contract?

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

@DIU_x @DIU_x Will pilots who fly the Gauntlets give feedback straight to vendors, or does it all route through the program office?

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

The Army's Advanced Manufacturing CSO stays open until canceled. Submit against its areas of interest now. Funded needs arrive as Calls for Solutions, and the last one gave companies 7 days to respond. Guide: https://t.co/ZBs6oNMO1I Photo: U.S. Army/Mark Cleghorn

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Army xTech|Search 10 closes Oct 19, 5pm ET. Open topic, 3-page white paper. Up to 20 finalists can propose a Phase I SBIR/STTR worth up to $300K. Scoring: 40% technical, 25% Army benefit, 25% commercial. https://t.co/FyBPcUgXib
Photo: U.S. Army/Donnie Ryan

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

The Pentagon plans to order ~60,000 drones from its Drone Dominance top performers. Gauntlet 3 is ~Feb 2027. If you make magnets, cells, motors or radios, the tightening supply chain rules make the winners your customers.

https://t.co/0n6S0qCeWO

Photo: USAF/B. Hernandez

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

NAWCAD opened a challenge for companies that help people adopt new tech faster: "technology adoption fails when workforce adoption is treated as secondary." Small businesses welcome. Free to register on GoColosseum. Closes 10/15.

https://t.co/oAJKXiLfeH

Photo: USN/J. Moore

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

Pentagon official Mike Dodd (FNN): "We deliver capability in 24 months or less. If you don't fit in my construct, that's a science project."

How can deep tech fit? Field a minimum viable capability now. Breakthrough later.
https://t.co/bO2gPOSj6W
Photo: USMC/Cpl. Rachel Mason

[Josiah Wegner @JWegnerTalk]

SBIR open topics are shrinking, and more topics start with a defined customer. Talk to users before a topic exists.

Have demand? Options include a sponsored topic, TACFI/STRATFI, Phase III, CSOs and APFIT. DM me and let's talk.

Photo: US Army/M. Scott Bortot