SBIR@Connect:
Success Stories
Bascom Hunter | Harmonia Holdings Group
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NAVWAR
Through a partnership with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, NIWC Pac, SBIR@Connect hopes to promote economic growth in our region by fostering connections between government, industry, and academia.
This month’s workshop will shine the light on two SBIR success stories from the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NAVWAR.
Tuesday, August 31st, 2021
1pm – 2pm
How do we evaluate success?
One of the main goals of the SBIR/STTR Program is to transition the technology that is being developed in Phase Is (feasibility) and Phase IIs (prototype). A Phase III is when SBIR/STTR program funding is no longer needed, and the government program that first initiated the program topic will take the reins to award a Phase III (transition) with non-SBIR/STTR funding. A Phase III government contract can be awarded any time with no limits on funding and duration. However, transition can also happen outside of the government. A SBIR and STTR project can transition into the commercial world, and while this is not recorded as a Phase III in the government, it is still considered a success.
The two awardees highlighted in today’s workshop (listed below) successfully completed a Phase I, Phase II, and moved on to a Phase III. The objective of the workshop is for innovators to be able to ask questions to small businesses that have gone through the SBIR/STTR process successfully, and to learn some helpful tips to assist those interested in their own SBIR/STTR journey.
Bascom Hunter is an Aerospace and Defense contractor that provides industry-leading solutions. We are an engineering driven company that specializes in providing high specification products and solutions for high performance applications. It is why our customers rely on our capabilities. Our products and technical expertise are utilized by the US Department of Defense and a range of industrial partners. Bascom Hunter’s thermal solutions and advanced electronics fall under the Xcelaero and BH Tech brands, respectively. We have a reputation of delivering high quality products demonstrated by our ISO 9001 and AS 9100 certifications.
Harmonia Holdings Group is a rapidly growing, award-winning, woman-owned company delivering cutting edge innovative technology solutions to federal agencies and commercial clients. Harmonia has enjoyed many honors such as: Top 12 Companies to Watch in VA (2011), Fast 50 Asian American Companies (2013), Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies (2009-2019, 2021), Virginia’s Fantastic 50 Companies (2019, 2020), NVTC Tech 100 company (2018-2020), Moxie Award (2021), Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year (2021), Certified Great Place to Work (2019-2021), Virginia Values Veterans Certified Organization, and awarded the prestigious Tibbett’s award for innovative technologies commercialization three times one of which was in the White House (2020). Every bit of our success is the result of a team of incredibly talented, dedicated and focused professionals who are the heart and soul of Harmonia!
Workshop Agenda:
Learning Objectives:
Meet the Speakers
Shadi Azoum
NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Manager
Mr. Shadi Azoum is the current Program Manager for the NAVWAR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) Program Management Offices. He has served in this position since June 2016. Prior to this position, Mr. Azoum led the Science and Technology (S&T) portfolio for PEO C4I, PMW 130 (Information Assurance and Cyber Security Program Office) as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Science and Technology (S&T) since May 2011. Mr. Azoum has Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Master of Science (MS) in Information Security from Florida State University.
Andrew McCandless
Bascom Hunter CEO, Co-Founder, President
Andrew McCandless is the President, CEO and Co-Founder of Bascom Hunter. He is also the Chairman of the Small Business Innovation Research Consortium. Previously, Mr. McCandless worked for Airbus Group, as the Executive Director of Business and Technology Development for the Controls division in Frederick MD. Mr. McCandless is the founder of LSU spin-off company Mezzo Technologies and served as President of the company for four years. Mr. McCandless has previously served on numerous boards and commissions in various capacities including as Chairman of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Commission that oversees the operation of the Baton Rouge airport and Princeton University’s Center for Network Security and Access Board of Advisors. Mr. McCandless received his mechanical engineering degree from Louisiana State University. He is originally from Houma, LA.
Pallabi Saboo
Harmonia Holdings Group CEO
Pallabi Saboo is the CEO for Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC. She has an extensive track record of building/operating successful technology related companies. She co-founded Harmonia in 2006 and since then has grown it aggressively as it seeks to develop specialized technology-enabled services. She is an entrepreneur with a unique understanding of technology as well as business/strategic issues.
Among her many honors, Pallabi serves on the boards of Asian American Chamber of Commerce, TiE DC, Army Science Board (that advises the Secretary of Defense, and Secretary and Chief of Staff of Army on S&T matters), and she serves on NVTCs executive circle. Pallabi also has served for 8 years on the Virginia Governor’s Board for Small Business Financing Authority, an honor she has uniquely held under both Democratic and Republican governors. Some recognitions Pallabi has been fortunate enough to enjoy include: being named one of the top twenty-five female CEOs in DELMARVA (2008), Smart 100 CEOs (2009, 2010), Technical Trailblazer FederalContractor (2011), Featured in Forbes (2013), Federal 100 (2014), Entrepreneur of the Year finalist (2015), Asian Business Leader of the year (2020), Women Who Mean Business (Washington Business Journal 2020), CEO World Award (2020), VA Business Women in Leadership (2021), and U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award (2021).
Under her leadership, Harmonia has enjoyed many honors as well: Top 12 Companies to Watch in VA (2011), Fast 50 Asian American Companies (2013), Inc 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies (2009-2019, 2021), Virginia’s Fantastic 50 Companies (2019, 2020), Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 company (2018-2020), Moxie Award (2021), Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year (2021), Certified Great Place to Work (2019-2021), Virginia Values Veterans Certified Organization, and awarded the prestigious Tibbett’s award for innovative technologies commercialization three times one of which was in the White House (2020).
Pallabi is an electronics engineer and has an MBA, with a specialization in marketing, from Virginia Tech, where she was awarded a Cunningham Fellowship. The University has also honored her as a Lifetime Golden Hokie, a distinguished alumnus, and a member of the Ut Prosim Society. A philanthropist, Pallabi is a Paul Harris Fellow as well as a member of Arch Klumph Society of highest donors of the Rotary Foundation supporting social causes worldwide. Pallabi also supports the U.S. Veterans employment and training services via NVTC and Children’s Education via Pratham.
Gretel von Son
Connect SBIR/STTR Director
Gretel von Son is the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Director at Connect, a position created to support the SBIR/STTR Program by helping make connections between government, industry and academia, more accessible. Gretel previously supported the NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Office, and has experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. She has published work in Advanced Materials, ACS Nano and Nature Communications. Gretel has earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, and a Master’s in Business Administration.
SBIR@Connect is Connect’s new program to drive innovation through collaboration with government agencies.
In partnership with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC Pac), SBIR@Connect hopes to promote economic growth in our region by fostering connections between government, industry, and academia.
The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program aims to bring non-dilutive funding to eligible companies to help address government research and development needs, while striving for innovation and the commercialization of products/efforts. Although there are multiple agencies that participate in the SBIR/STTR Program, the DoD makes up a large percentage of participation. SBIR@Connect’s partnership focuses on the Navy, specifically, the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NAVWAR.
To boost interactions and promote collaboration — SBIR@Connect is developing a set of workshops introducing the various programs and opportunities to work with the Navy.
For more information, please visit the SBIR@Connect page.