Services
Bridging Innovation and National Defense
At a time when rapid technological advances are fundamentally reshaping modern conflict, the Department of Defense's legacy procurement strategies are constraining the innovation our warfighters urgently need. Over the past dozen years, bureaucratic complexity and lengthy acquisition cycles have caused small businesses to abandon the defense industrial base (DIB) in droves. Small businesses are the engine of American innovation and an essential part of our nation’s industrial might. Their exodus from the DIB threatens DoD’s technological edge at a moment when we can least afford it.
Third Coast Federal bridges this critical gap to grow the DIB by connecting defense organizations, industry innovators, and academic institutions through proven programs and cutting-edge technology.
For Defense Organizations & Partners
Reversing DIB Decline Through Strategic Innovation Ecosystem Development
The defense industrial base has lost 40% of its small business participants since 2011. Small businesses are the engine of innovation and job and wage growth in the US. They generate two out of every three jobs added to the economy and over twenty-four percent (24%) of all patents in the top 100 emerging clusters. They also are critical component of the DoD supply base. The Secretary of Defense recently noted that “[s]mall businesses provide our most creative entrepreneurs and most driven workers.” (U.S. DoD Small Business Strategy, January 2023, p. 4). Academia is another important driver of innovation. Unfortunately, DoD, industry, and academia operate in fundamentally different universes—with distinct cultures, timelines, and success metrics—making collaboration naturally challenging. We enable DoD to rebuild and expand its critical innovation and supply pipeline while maximizing ROI on R&D investments by removing critical barriers to collaboration between DoD, industry, and academia .
Strategic DIB Growth Solutions:
Innovation Ecosystem Deployment: Transform technology verticals and regions into thriving defense innovation hubs that connect DoD organizations, industry, academia, and investors
Advanced Tech Scouting & Market Research: Identify and evaluate non-traditional defense contractors using our proprietary iScout platform and extensive industry networks
Defense Customer Identification: Connect innovative businesses with the right DoD customers and procurement opportunities
R&D Investment Optimization: Help defense organizations maximize returns by connecting them with businesses capable of rapid, cost-effective innovation
iScout Ecosystem Platform Features:
Federal opportunity databases and real-time procurement intelligence
Member directories with detailed capability assessments
University and national lab IP repositories
Community collaboration tools and resources
Cross-ecosystem networking for exponential partnership opportunities
Current Deployments: We are actively deploying specialized ecosystems for Navy shipyard modernization and microelectronics advancement, creating measurable increases in defense contractor participation and successful research and development (R&D) outcomes.
For Small & Mid-Market Businesses
Unlock Billions in Federal Non-Dilutive R&D Funding
The U.S. Government is the largest buyer in the world. It issues billions in federal non-dilutive awards to fund innovation that drives growth, boosts profitability, and increases your company's capital value.
Complete Federal R&D Success System
We have developed a battle-tested methodology and network to support businesses in successfully navigating the complexities of securing federal R&D funding and contracting awards.
Federal Funding Mastery:
Capture Strategy & Execution: Navigate the the entire process of identifying, scoping and winning federal non-dilutive R&D and contracting awards
Funding Discovery: Use iScout to identify federal R&D and contracting opportunities aligned with your business’s expertise, customer base, and innovation plans (e.g., SBIR|STTR, Other Transaction Authority (OTA), contracting)
Teaming Development: Leverage iScout and the innovation ecosystems to connect with businesses and faculty possessing the expertise, equipment, facilities, and relationships required to capture funding, accelerate R&D, and commercialize your innovations
Technology Acceleration: Identify IP and innovations available for license from universities, DoD, and Department of Energy (DoE) labs to jumpstart your efforts
Defense Customer Identification: Make direct connections to DoD buyers actively seeking your innovations
Master the Three Critical Success Questions:
What innovations should I pursue? Identify the innovations that you should pursue to grow your business, drive profitability, and maximize business valuation
How do I build winning teams? Partner matching, teaming strategies, and technology integration to de-risk and accelerate innovation and commercialization
How do I pursue and capture innovation funding? Identify and pursue funding opportunities with compelling, compliant, and winning proposals
Complete Business Readiness Infrastructure:
Funding registrations & proposal development
Indirect cost rate calculation and competitive pricing strategies
DCAA-compliant cost accounting system development
Federal contracting compliance and risk management
Supply chain management optimization for defense contracting
Facility security clearance guidance and implementation
The Bottom Line: Transform your innovative ideas into federally-funded products and services that generate sustainable revenue, competitive advantage, and exponential business growth.
For Academic Institutions
Faculty Innovation Gateway
Unlock your institution's research potential and create new revenue streams through strategic federal engagement and industry partnerships.
Research Commercialization Support:
Funding Discovery: Use iScout to identify federal R&D opportunities aligned with your expertise
Industry Partnership Development: Connect with innovative businesses seeking your specific knowledge and capabilities
Technology Transfer Acceleration: Match your innovations with companies capable of successful commercialization
Institutional Strategy:
Faculty talent mapping for targeted R&D solicitations
University-industry partnership development
Intellectual property commercialization pathways
Why Choose Third Coast Federal?
National Security Imperative: As threats evolve faster than traditional military doctrine can adapt, we deliver the platform and ecosystems DoD requires to engage innovative, responsive industrial and academic partners at scale.
Proven Track Record: Over 1,000 businesses trained and supported in federal contracting success, with measurable increases in DIB participation and R&D award capture rates.
Proprietary Technology: iScout platform provides unmatched visibility into opportunities, partners, ecosystem connections, innovations, and competitive intelligence.
Billions Available: Expert navigation of the complex federal R&D funding landscape, including SBIRSTTR ($4.5+ billion annually), OTA programs, and specialized defense innovation initiatives.
Strategic Partnerships: Established relationships defense innovation organizations and ecosystem leaders nationwide.
End-to-End Solutions: We support initial opportunity identification through successful contract execution, business growth, and sustainable defense market presence.
Measurable ROI: We deliver access to the insights, strategies, IP, and relationships you need to de-risk and maximize ROI on your innovation and commercialization efforts.
The stakes have never been higher. The opportunities have never been greater.
While traditional defense contractors struggle with bureaucratic complexity and small businesses abandon defense markets, billions in federal non-dilutive R&D funding await the right partners. Contact Third Coast Federal to transform regulatory challenges into competitive advantages and secure your share of the federal innovation economy.