Michelle Fellows
In her role as Managing Director of Business Development, Michelle Fellows leads the identification and pursuit of new business and strategic growth opportunities across the firm. She partners closely with firm leadership to drive expansion initiatives, shape business development strategy, and advance key priorities.
Eli Goeltz
Eli serves as a Business Development Research Analyst for the firm’s Advanced Technology Practice. In this role, he provides internal business analysis and strategic communications work to help with the client’s practice team. He works with managing directors and key contacts to strategically identify suitable Federal and foundation opportunities for clients to pursue, and assists the practice’s core team in assessing strategic needs
The Misconception of Federal Funding Complexity for Venture Capital and Private Equity
For many Venture Capitalists and Private Equity investors, federal funding has historically been viewed as something reserved for academia and government contractors willing to navigate a maze of bureaucracy. For small to large businesses the federal funding process can be seen as highly complex, especially when it comes to Federal compliance. As a result, Federal government funding is often dismissed as too difficult or too uncertain to pursue.
This perception does not match reality.
Today, the U.S. government invests hundreds of billions of dollars each year across sectors that overlap directly with venture capital and private equity portfolios, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, defense technology, energy, biotechnology, infrastructure, and commercialization. These investments are driven by national priorities such as strengthening domestic supply chains, maintaining global competitiveness, and improving national security.
Many venture and private equity backed portfolio companies are building exactly what federal agencies are trying to accelerate, yet they never pursue federal opportunities.
The result is a significant source of non-dilutive capital that remains largely untapped by VC & PE backed businesses.
What Many Investors do Not Understand About Government Funding
Despite the scale of the opportunity, outdated assumptions continue to discourage many Venture Capitalists and Private Equity firms from exploring federal funding:
What Portfolio Companies Stand to Gain from Federal Funding:
-
Access to non-dilutive funding that extends runway and preserves equity
-
Validation from federal agencies that strengthens credibility with customers and investors
-
Entry into networks of partners, prime contractors, and government stakeholders
-
Stronger positioning for follow-on investment and acquisition
Discover How We Can Help
McAllister and Quinn’s team of experts are ready and well-versed in supporting Venture Capitalist and PE investors and their portfolio companies. If you have questions about the process we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
