Webinar: NSF SBIR/STTR Project Pitch Preparation
Submitting a Project Pitch to the NSF is the required first step toward competing for SBIR/STTR Phase I funding. Approval of your pitch allows you to move forward with a full proposal and compete for up to $305,000 in seed funding to bring your innovation to market.
In this free, live webinar, experts from OST Global Solutions and TEDCO will walk you through how to prepare and submit a Project Pitch that gets approved, positioning your company for success in the highly competitive SBIR/STTR program.
Date: Monday, September 29, 2025
Time: 2:00–3:00 PM ET
Presenters:
- Olessia Smotrova, Chief Strategy Officer, OST Global Solution
- Kim Mozingo, Vice President, Federal Programs, TEDCO
- Julia Deng, Director, SBIR Programs, TEDCO
Format: Live webinar with Q&A
Why It Matters
- The Project Pitch is the gateway to NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I funding.
- NSF awards provide up to $305,000 to support early-stage technology development.
- The Proposal Lab, developed by TEDCO, OST, and SBDC, has helped Maryland companies achieve a 40% win rate—2.5x the national average.
What You’ll Learn in This Webinar
- How to prepare and submit your Project Pitch to NSF
- What elements reviewers look for in an effective pitch
- Strategies to increase your odds of pitch approval
- How to position your pitch for the full Phase I proposal
About the Speakers
Olessia Smotrova, Chief Strategy Officer of OST Global Solutions, has led hundreds of multimillion- and multibillion-dollar proposals, helping clients win over $23 billion in government contracts.
Kim Mozingo, Vice President of Federal Programs at TEDCO, leads efforts to connect Maryland companies with federal funding opportunities.
Julia Deng, Director of SBIR Programs at TEDCO, oversees SBIR/STTR initiatives that provide technical assistance and support for Maryland innovators.