> DARPA [...] awards contracts. You're obligated to achieve your deliverables Deliverables can be a report if you have nothing more. Easier than handling the

> DARPA [...] awards contracts. You're obligated to achieve your deliverables Deliverables can be a report if you have nothing more. Easier than handling the changing demands of angels and VCs. DARPA contracts pay you to do the promised research on the topic you proposed and then report your NEGATIVE or positive results, in writing, to three entities: PM, DARPA Director, and DTIC (Defense Technical Information Center). DARPA's compliance requirements are minimal and very reasonable. As performer on three DARPA contracts I can say the PMs were professional, sharp, and gave me great flexibility to pursue results. I did the research behind at least 8 products, probably unfundable due to risk, with the support of DARPA. Best of all, I have ownership of the products and my entire company post-funding. Quickly developing a trusting relationship with your PM and the staff is key to a good result; as with any customer. DARPA PMs are all current in their fields and know their time to produce results is limited (2-4 years) so they expect "high risk" submissions that might deliver revolutionary results. The only catch is taking research results to market is non-trivial. However, even there DARPA is getting better at helping you find partners and follow-on contracts.