The SBIR program, which is coordinated by the SBA, is great value for money. I've worked with the SBIR programs from a few different agencies and this collaboration has allowed them to incentivize innovation in areas that could use a boost prior to market forces making them self-sustaining. The SBIR grants from both ED and NIH, for example, have encouraged the development of learning resources in areas important to the agencies, in markets where independently raising funds for that development can be quite difficult. The relatively small grants give both the agency and the small business the opportunity to reduce the risk of getting important work done.
Bob, good points as always. I think DOGE is in step 1 of the downsizing mode. Clear out what's not core. Step 2 is to let your customers tell you where you cut too much. And don't just rehire, but figure out how best to meet customer needs.
As to the SBA, and all business support, subsidies, tax breaks, etc., if we eliminated all of that, how much could we just reduce taxes on business across the board? No picking winners and losers. If support adds value, the market will figure out how to provide it.
If a technology needs support, that might be an area where, instead of subsidies, a lower tax rate on future profits is provided. Let investors take the risks, not the taxpayers. Don't like the added complexity, but you know politicians will have to mess things up.
The SBIR program, which is coordinated by the SBA, is great value for money. I've worked with the SBIR programs from a few different agencies and this collaboration has allowed them to incentivize innovation in areas that could use a boost prior to market forces making them self-sustaining. The SBIR grants from both ED and NIH, for example, have encouraged the development of learning resources in areas important to the agencies, in markets where independently raising funds for that development can be quite difficult. The relatively small grants give both the agency and the small business the opportunity to reduce the risk of getting important work done.
You can have SBIR without SBA. Commerce could oversee it
Bob, good points as always. I think DOGE is in step 1 of the downsizing mode. Clear out what's not core. Step 2 is to let your customers tell you where you cut too much. And don't just rehire, but figure out how best to meet customer needs.
As to the SBA, and all business support, subsidies, tax breaks, etc., if we eliminated all of that, how much could we just reduce taxes on business across the board? No picking winners and losers. If support adds value, the market will figure out how to provide it.
If a technology needs support, that might be an area where, instead of subsidies, a lower tax rate on future profits is provided. Let investors take the risks, not the taxpayers. Don't like the added complexity, but you know politicians will have to mess things up.
Thanks Robin. Would be a good experiment to see what would really be missed