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Date |
Wednesday, 29 July 2026 |
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Time |
2:00 pm ET |
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Register |
https://info.grantengine.com/partnering-with-primes-for-federal-funding |
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Duration |
60 minutes (45 min presentation + 15 min Q&A) |
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Hosted by |
Grant Engine (Sam Tetlow, Zev Orzy, Josh Bar-on) |
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Guest Speakers |
BAE Systems: Bahareh Haji-saeed, PhD & Sara R. Scharf, PhD |
Webinar Overview
This webinar demystifies how small businesses can work with Prime contractors (including defense giants like BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin) to access Department of Defense (DoW) SBIR, OTA, and other R&D funding opportunities across defense, dual-use, and space sectors. Attendees will leave with actionable frameworks for initiating Prime partnerships and positioning themselves to win.
Key Takeaways
- Understand how Prime contractors scout and select small business partners for SBIR and R&D programs
- Learn what BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin look for in startup technology partners
- Discover how to position your company for DoW SBIR Phase I, II, and III opportunities via Prime teaming arrangements
- Get practical guidance on approaching technology scouts and building relationships within large defense primes
- Understand the role of non-dilutive R&D funding in building long-term equity value
Who Should Attend
- Small business founders and executives pursuing DoW SBIR/STTR funding
- Deep-tech, dual-use, and space startups seeking Prime contractor partnerships
- R&D teams exploring government-funded development pathways
- Companies looking to win Phase III contracts or Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements
Session Agenda
|
Time |
Topic |
Speaker(s) |
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2:00 – 2:05 PM |
Welcome & Introductions |
Sam Tetlow |
|
2:05 – 2:20 PM |
Leveraging Primes to Win SBIRs, OTAs, and Setting Up Future Success |
Sam Tetlow & Zev Orzy |
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2:20 – 2:35 PM |
How BAE Systems Scouts and Engages Small Business Partners |
Bahareh Haji-saeed & Sara Scharf |
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2:35 – 2:45 PM |
How Lockheed Martin Space Identifies and Supports SBIR Partners |
Joe Epstein |
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2:45 – 3:00 PM |
Q&A and Final Remarks |
All Speakers |
Meet Your Speakers
Guest Speakers
Dr. Bahareh Haji-saeed is the Technology Scouting Director at BAE Systems, FAST Labs. One of FAST Labs thrusts, the Tech Scouting role requires the tech scouts to discover technology outside of BAE Systems that has potential for integration with FAST Labs technology development. Externally, Bahareh builds relationships with startups, small businesses, universities, venture capital firms, appropriate large companies, and DoD organizations such as DARPA, Army Applications Lab (AAL), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and others. Bahareh received her PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts Lowell; she brings 20+ years of defense and aerospace experience, previously a Government Civilian with the U.S. Air Force at Hanscom AFB.
Dr. Sara Scharf is Director of External Innovation and Technology Scouting at BAE Systems' FAST Labs, based in Austin, TX. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego, and has prior experience at Lantha Sensors, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, and The Aerospace Corporation. In her role, Sara bridges internal BAE Systems R&D with external innovations by collaborating with startups, VCs, accelerators, incubators, and academic institutions to integrate disruptive technologies into defense programs
Joe Epstein is the Strategic Partnerships Lead for Lockheed Martin Space within the Ignite organization, where he manages SBIR/STTR, OTA, and CRAD opportunities as well as university-sponsored research. His focus is identifying and championing emerging technologies from external sources to support Lockheed Martin's Space business platforms serving DoD and NASA customers. He holds a B.S. and MBA from San Jose State University.
Grant Engine Team
Sam Tetlow is the Founder and CEO of Grant Engine, a leading platform for securing non-dilutive federal funding across NIH, DoD, BARDA, ARPA-H, and NSF programs. A serial entrepreneur with over two decades of experience, Sam has contributed to the success of companies including EpiCypher, Gentris Corporation, and Tranzyme Pharma (IPO 2011), delivering a 6.2x return on invested capital. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Zev Orzy is CEO and Lead Consultant at Akela Consulting, which united with Grant Engine in 2025 to form the leading federal funding platform for deep-tech innovators. Zev co-founded Akela to guide dual-use technology companies through SBIR proposal development and contract execution, with a track record spanning the U.S. Air Force (AFWERX), Army, Navy, NSF, and NASA.
