​Join us for a Department of Navy SBIR Info Session!  

​Learn everything you need to know about SBIR funding in this engaging and informative workshop. Offered in partnership with The Brink SBDC, the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) at UC San Diego, and Connect, this session is tailored for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and researchers who are starting—or considering starting—an innovative company and are exploring various funding sources.  

​During this webinar, you’ll hear from:  

• ​A Navy SBIR Program Manager providing insights into DoN SBIR opportunities and processes.  

• ​A successful small business who has navigated and thrived in DoD SBIR programs.  

• ​An experienced grant-writing advisor sharing practical tips to help you craft compelling proposals.  

​Come prepared to learn, ask questions, and leave ready to explore funding opportunities and start writing your proposal. No prior experience or knowledge is required.

​Agenda:

• ​11:00 AM – Welcome & Introduction - Gretel von Son (5 min)  

• ​11:05 AM – Navy SBIR/STTR Overview – Shadi Azoum (15 min)  

• ​11:20 AM – Success Story – Sam Subbarao (15 min)  

• ​11:35 AM – Grant-Writing Tips – Matt Hutton (15 min)  

• ​11:50 AM – Q&A - Jacques Chirazi (10 min)  

• ​12:00 PM – Closing  

​Speakers:

​Shadi Azoum

​Mr. Shadi Azoum is the current Program Manager for the NAVWAR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) Program Management Offices. He has served in this position since June 2016. Prior to this position, Mr. Azoum led the Science and Technology (S&T) portfolio for PEO C4I, PMW 130 (Information Assurance and Cyber Security Program Office) as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Science and Technology (S&T) since May 2011. Mr. Azoum has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Master of Science (MS) in Information Security from Florida State University.

​Sam Subbarao

​Sam Subbarao is Senior Vice President of Bascom Hunter’s BH Tech division. He has a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and MBA from the University of Houston. Sam has previously worked at BAE Systems as an electrical engineer and at Schlumberger in various roles in Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering and Management. He now runs the BH Tech (defense electronics) division at Bascom Hunter.

​Bascom Hunter is a small business headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA focused on Defense Electronics and Environmental Control. Bascom Hunter was started in 2010 and develops bespoke products and solutions for aerospace and defense applications. It has been awarded many SBIRs and STTRs over the years and has converted several into Phase III contracts. The SBIRs have been in the areas of photonics, RF, Machine Learning, Compressors, Fans, Thermal Management and Integrated Systems. Bascom Hunter also designs and manufactures custom products for prime integrators. https://bascomhunter.com/

​Matt Hutton 

​In addition to serving as an advisor with The Brink SBDC, Matt is a civil engineer with years of experience with SBIR grant writing and grant execution. He has degrees in environmental engineering, has studied biomechanics, and has been with the SBDC in California for over 5 years.