A Deep Dive into the DoD Quad Charts for Innovators
On September 30th, NW Tech Bridge hosted a hands-on workshop at Vibe Coworks, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, and Navy collaborators to dive into the “quad chart”—a key tool for presenting technology solutions to Department of Defense (DoD) decision-makers.
The session kicked off with a warm welcome from Alanna of Matchstick Labs and Vibe Coworks, setting a collaborative and community-driven tone. NW Tech Bridge’s mission centers on connecting Pacific Northwest innovators with Navy programs and research labs—supporting companies at every stage of development, from early exploration (“learn”) to scaling (“grow”) and full-scale implementation (“deliver”).
The heart of the workshop focused on quad charts: concise, one-page documents that distill a proposal’s essence for busy DoD reviewers. Presenters emphasized the importance of answering fundamental questions: What are you trying to do? What’s new? Who benefits? What’s the impact?
Workshop presenters, including NW Tech Bridge’s Dave Kowalick, highlighted best practices for making a quad chart stand out:
- Follow your customer’s template.
- Use visuals and keep language clear.
- State your Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and value proposition up front.
- Quantify benefits with measurable outcomes.
Keep it simple—clarity beats complexity.
Real-World Success
Guest speaker Hermann Kugeler of Makai Ocean Engineering demonstrated the power of well-crafted quad charts. His company has secured over $26 million in SBIR funding, including successful transitions from Phase 1 to Phase 3 contracts.
His advice to innovators:
tailor your chart to your audience, highlight both defense and commercial benefits, and start building relationships early.
Pathways to Funding and Growth
The session wrapped up with hands-on practice: participants drafted their own quad charts using real SBIR topics, receiving live feedback from mentors. Beyond quad charts, the workshop also explored key acquisition pathways like SBIR/STTR, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and partnerships with primes. Participants learned the value of leveraging Tech Bridge’s network, engaging during SBIR pre-release periods, and using experimentation events to gather end-user feedback.
Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned engineer, NW Tech Bridge is here to help you navigate the journey from concept to contract—one quad chart at a time.