Eligibility requirements - note the VC ownership issues vary depending on the granting agency - NIH, CDC and Dept of Energy allow majority VC owned small businesses to apply:
https://www.sbir.gov/faqs/eligibility-requirements
In my opinion, the government "march-in" rights are not a significant business concern. Although technically the funding agency has the right the license your IP if you do not effectively commercialize it, in the real world this has never happened:
http://ipinspace.com/2012/04/11/patent-rights-and-obligation...
I agree that a maniacal focus on correct formatting is essential. My spouse had a grant bounced for a font that was 0.5 points too small.
In my opinion, the government "march-in" rights are not a significant business concern. Although technically the funding agency has the right the license your IP if you do not effectively commercialize it, in the real world this has never happened: http://ipinspace.com/2012/04/11/patent-rights-and-obligation...
I agree that a maniacal focus on correct formatting is essential. My spouse had a grant bounced for a font that was 0.5 points too small.