How We Can Help
Practical support for government programs looking to apply startup innovation methods within real constraints
Program Innovation Strategy
Identify which startup practices translate to your program context and design adoption strategies that work within government constraints.
What This Looks Like
- Assessment of your current program delivery model and constraints
- Analysis of which startup methods (lean, agile, user research) are compatible with your authorities
- Practical roadmap for adoption that accounts for procurement timelines, stakeholder buy-in, and risk tolerance
- Identification of quick wins vs. structural changes that require longer runways
Procurement Modernization
Make procurement processes work for innovation without sacrificing accountability or creating unmanageable risk.
What This Looks Like
- Review of existing procurement authorities and identification of underutilized flexibilities
- Design of procurement approaches that enable iterative development while maintaining accountability
- Support for vendor engagement strategies that attract innovative firms without excluding traditional contractors
- Training for procurement staff on modern software development and startup business models
Startup Engagement Design
Create engagement models that work for both sides—realistic about government timelines while respecting startup constraints.
What This Looks Like
- Design of pilot programs that provide startups with realistic evaluation timelines
- Structuring of commercial terms that work for venture-backed companies (payment timing, IP rights, data access)
- Creation of evaluation criteria that assess startup potential, not just current scale
- Development of internal processes that don't ask startups to behave like large defense contractors
Technical Program Delivery
Hands-on support for programs that need modern delivery approaches adapted to government accountability requirements.
What This Looks Like
- Embedded program management for digital transformation or technology adoption initiatives
- Facilitation of agile ceremonies adapted to government stakeholder and reporting requirements
- User research and product discovery that works within government privacy and security constraints
- Technical architecture guidance for systems that need to integrate with legacy infrastructure
Engagement Model
Work is typically structured as short-term advisory engagements (2-6 months) with clear deliverables, though longer embedded delivery support is available for the right programs.
All engagements start with a conversation to understand your specific challenges and determine if there's a fit.