Many grant recipients believe the “real” work is getting a grant. After all, it is about the dollars. Not true! The real work – technically and commercially, begins after the award.

Award recipients are generally able to execute the technical aspects of a grant (or contract). The larger challenge usually lies with executing the business side – complying with the full scope of financial and administrative requirements AND working on commercialization.

Businesses which seek grant funding should view that funding as “seed” funding. Seed funding enables them to begin planting a crop which can be harvested later. Businesses also need to be aware that all seed funding needs fertile ground. Fertile ground equates to sound business and financial capability.

As a potential investor in a company, do you and your team know what questions to ask?

When you ask the questions, do you probe beyond the surface to verify the elements of the answers? Are there areas which could potentially put your investment at risk that you don’t know how to assess?

As a potential investor in a company, do you and your team know what questions to ask?

When you ask the questions, do you probe beyond the surface to verify the elements of the answers? Are there areas which could potentially put your investment at risk that you don’t know how to assess?