Owner-funded investigation
Use bounded internal budgets for prior-art work, modeling, documentation, and small experiments where the next decision is clear.
Milestone capital • Non-dilutive first • Securities review when triggered
Technical Development Funding Pathways
Aurora should fund a defined technical milestone—not a vague promise to build everything. Each source brings eligibility, reporting, ownership, schedule, and legal consequences that must be screened before outreach.
Public scopeNon-confidential structure, readiness, and inquiry routing.
Evidence languageConcept, analysis, simulation, prototype, and test remain
distinct.
No implied statusNo patent, funding, clearance, partnership, or job claim without
verification.
Controlled detailEnabling, restricted, personal, and privileged records remain
offline.
Structure
Operating framework
The public page explains the decision structure while detailed records remain controlled offline.
SBIR/STTR and agency grants
Match an eligible U.S. small business, technical topic, principal investigator, work location, research partner, cost proposal, and commercialization plan to the solicitation.
Sponsored research
A company, university, lab, or nonprofit may fund defined research; the agreement must address background IP, foreground IP, publication, data, facilities, and export issues.
Customer-funded feasibility
A paid study or engineering service can validate demand, but scope, deliverables, reliance, safety, and ownership must be written.
License or option economics
Evaluation fees, options, milestone payments, royalties, minimums, and cost reimbursement can finance development when rights and performance gates are clear.
Investor capital
Equity, notes, SAFEs, crowdfunding, or other securities require an authorized offering pathway and appropriate federal/state advice before solicitation.
Sequence
Decision sequence
Each stage produces a reviewable record before the next commitment is made.
01 — MilestoneDefine the technical question, evidence, duration, cost, and
decision at completion.
02 — EligibilityCheck entity, ownership, team, work location, topic, and conflict
requirements.
03 — RightsModel ownership, data, publication, license, improvement, and
government-rights effects.
04 — ComplianceApprove budget, accounting, certifications, disclosures, and
reporting.
05 — Submit / closeUse the sponsor’s exact process and retain the complete signed
record.
Decision aid
Working crosswalk
Use the crosswalk to frame the next review; it does not replace professional analysis of the actual facts.
| Path | Best use | Primary caution | Gate before outreach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-funded | Early documentation and bounded proof work | Runway and opportunity cost | Approved budget and stop condition |
| Grant / SBIR / STTR | Research aligned to an agency need | Eligibility, cost, reporting, data and government rights | Solicitation compliance matrix |
| Sponsored research | Partner-defined investigation | Background/foreground IP and publication | Term sheet reviewed by counsel |
| License / option | Rights-based commercialization | Scope, diligence, valuation, and performance | Rights schedule and IP status |
| Investor capital | Scalable company development | Securities law, dilution, disclosure, governance | Corporate/securities counsel approval |
Operating note: SBIR and STTR can support
small-business R&D and commercialization, but each agency
administers its own program and solicitation. Eligibility and topic
fit must be checked for every submission.
Important limit: Nothing on this site offers
securities, solicits investment, promises returns, or states that
Aurora has received a grant. Investor outreach should begin only
through a counsel-approved pathway.
Primary references
Official starting points
Requirements change. Confirm the current rule, program, or filing path with the responsible agency and qualified professional.
Official links and public guidance reviewed August 2, 2026.
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