The govt gets an unrestricted license to use the technology produced by SBIR funding. The "R" in SBIR is research. By the end of govt funding (phase II), the c

The govt gets an unrestricted license to use the technology produced by SBIR funding. The "R" in SBIR is research. By the end of govt funding (phase II), the company is supposed to commercialize it on their own. The money maxes out around $1M, for producing a prototype only. Compared to private equity, it's only angel-investment-sized funding, but for a high-risk project that requires research to demonstrate so angel investment will not suffice. It is not ready to launch after govt funding.