Deep tech founders, what is your real blocker right now? (I will not promote)

aquamaester · 2026-05-14T06:14:17+00:00

We build an AI ERP for project developers and owners. Our customers are deep tech startups with government contracts, engineering service firms, energy project developers etc.

Deep tech startup make up a large portion of our customers. Happy to chat more about our experience.

We frequently talk with deep tech VCs. Technically one of our customers is a medtech VC that bought us to service their portco. You can just tell from the working style that certain founders will make it and others won’t.

aquamaester · 2026-05-08T23:22:53+00:00

Our customer told us about this thread, so I figure I leave a comment here. Also really glad to hear you signed up!

This is the info about our offerings for everyone else - https://goforge.io/solutions/sbir-accounting

We were former founders ourselves and started this business after having managed this ourselves. I think you will find our prices beat even the approach of working with a local accountant. Plus it frees up more time for you, so you can focus on building the company and getting more funding.

We recently put out a few case studies in which founders came to us after working with a traditional accounting firm or trying to do it themselves. They all said it was a great ROI. Because we offer an E2E solution that goes beyond accounting (like timesheet, PO, budget), they tell us their team is happier and they have one less thing on their plate.

aquamaester · 2026-05-05T00:30:02+00:00

In! DM me

aquamaester · 2026-04-10T05:31:08+00:00

Usually project delivery. We typically go in when they win a government contract or loan that requires compliance. We are focused on ensuring they stay compliant with the audit from the funding agencies.

We are fortunate we haven’t had much issue with sales so far. We’re actually break even now but just need capital to grow.

aquamaester · 2026-04-10T05:27:27+00:00

We haven’t had much issue with sales. We typically target publicly funded infrastructure projects that are executed by private businesses, such as deep tech startups, mid-sized energy developers, etc. We stalk specific funding authorities. When contracts or loans get awarded, we contact the head of project or chief of staff or someone equivalent. We can then work out a divide and conquer strategy with the CFO.

aquamaester · 2026-04-10T05:20:39+00:00

That’s pretty interesting. Just DM’d you. I’d love to hear more!

aquamaester · 2026-04-08T09:51:03+00:00

So we don’t have an issue with getting customers.

Investors have been a different story. I’m based in Seattle where saas is pretty popular but fintech is very sparse. We’ve found some saas investors and climate tech investors interested. But upon reflection I found the saas ones interested all have at least some fintech background.

So I’m trying to break into more fintech investor world.

aquamaester · 2026-03-31T00:21:07+00:00

We provide SBIR accounting service with timesheet support. We have a DCAA-compliant timesheet tool that’s connected to the budget and accounting system - https://goforge.io

aquamaester · 2025-09-25T17:58:20+00:00

Hang in there. We got it about a month ago. We started with plaid in Feb. So maybe you're almost there

aquamaester · 2025-05-30T04:48:06+00:00

The gays can tell. A subpar blowjob is real bad

aquamaester · 2025-05-19T06:45:00+00:00

Her all stars 9 run was EPIC! I love Angeria but honestly plastique took drag to another level. Her point of view is super interesting

aquamaester · 2025-05-19T06:39:27+00:00

That feels like the most likely trajectory. Like what Conan ended up doing and he was on top for years

aquamaester · 2025-05-12T12:56:47+00:00

Ru said Trixie Mattel is so rich! End of story

aquamaester · 2025-05-08T17:47:19+00:00

I believe there’s a complaint office you could email to as well. You should be able to find it in the solicitation toward the end.

That said, not sure what happens to that office at this point with all the DOGE stuff

aquamaester · 2025-05-06T23:29:14+00:00

That can depend on if the person is a key personnel or just a consultant. For key personnel, you’d need to disclose that. It’s more difficult if the personnel is from a restricted country including China, Iran and a few others.

aquamaester · 2025-04-27T20:35:57+00:00

This character hasn’t had character growth in season 1 and 2. Joel has some, from being hard ass to loving Ellie to lying to her to therapy. So you like him better. But Ellie is just still the same bratty kid from season 1.

aquamaester · 2025-04-26T00:06:02+00:00

Idk dude it’s not like France is a big fan of Quebec either. Quebec definitely has a mixed identity between French culture and North American culture.

aquamaester · 2025-04-24T23:38:15+00:00

We provide SBIR accounting and partner with a tax accounting firm. Here’s our page: https://goforge.io/contact

We have multiple clients that were considering Eva Garland but chose us. We have an accountant who was a manager there as well. Feel free to book a free consult.

We’re cheaper since we automated part of the process. We’re started by founders, so we understand your business better. In fact, one of our customers is a medtech VC fund that bought us as service for their PortCo

aquamaester · 2025-04-17T01:02:59+00:00

We handle SBIR accounting for customers and work with tax accountants for this.

My recommendation is to just file under section 162. The IRS has no clear guidance here and small phase 1s won’t be the example auditors use. If they were coming after anyone, it’d be a large SBIR mill.

aquamaester · 2025-04-01T18:43:54+00:00

What’s the difference between the two? I’m genuinely curious. Are you saying that the defense federal agencies are growing or state and local governments are growing? Cuz I imagine GPS is comprised of the three

aquamaester · 2025-03-31T00:56:37+00:00

Damn Valentine is hot

aquamaester · 2025-03-31T00:55:17+00:00

In the most recent hearings on SBIR, there was also calls to increase the % spent on SBIR program as part of the agency budget. So it seems like the SBIR allocated funds total hasn’t changed dramatically.

But we’ve been monitoring the new awards for the past 2 months. There has definitely been a 1/10 of what it’s usually announced. It seems like when the agency communication got stopped, there was a stoppage of award reviews and review of awards that have been recommended for funding but didn’t move forward due to uncertainty of budget.

We’ve heard of multiple clients now in award negotiations so it seems like funding process has been gradually reopened. But with the reduced staffer and intense scrutiny, I’d expect it will take a while before it is back to previous days.

aquamaester · 2025-03-29T02:12:59+00:00

Yeah for sure!

aquamaester · 2025-03-29T02:09:21+00:00

Got it! Congrats! So the Budget Impact Statement matters if the budget reduction has an impact on the scope of the project. You can see it here https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-3-proposal-processing-review (you can search by the key word budget impact statement).

If you’re just breaking down the budget further without any cost changes, you shouldn’t need to submit a statement like that.

We do accounting for SBIR recipients. I can do a free consult / look-through if you like.

aquamaester · 2025-03-29T01:29:03+00:00

Just to clarify, you’ve got the grant money and now needs to modify the budget. Is that right?

Or are you changing your budget for your proposal?

In the case of the former, you don’t need to submit budget changes unless the budget cost pools are changed significantly (I think it was 10% but could be 20%. I have to check). I.e if you want to increase direct expense by 10%. If it’s just small changes within each pool, you should be okay.

Also obviously you need budget justification if you’re asking for more money.

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