50 +
years of experience
Our team brings over 50 years of combined expertise in grant writing, review and administration.
Scout's Pathfinder
Academy
Non-dilutive grant funding for startups.
THE PROGRAM
About Scout Pathfinder Academy
50 +
Comprehensive Grant Education
We guide you through the full grant lifecycle, from research and eligibility to proposal development and budget planning. Designed specifically for early-stage startups.
80 %
cost savings
80% of our clients report saving 80% or more in time and costs.
Hands-On Approach
Work directly with experienced grant professionals who offer personalized feedback and strategic support throughout your funding journey.
$ 5M +
funding secured
Cohort participants have collectively raised more than $5 million in non-dilutive capital to grow their ventures.
Results Driven
Our program focuses on outcomes. We help startups repurpose cohort materials to target multiple agencies, expanding reach and increasing funding success.
90 +
funding sources
Gain access to a curated database of opportunities from government, foundation, and corporate grantmakers.
Join the Scout Cohort Program and start your funding journey today.
Taught By The Best
Stacy Chin, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & CSO
Dr. Stacy Chin, Ph.D., with 10 years in SBIR/STTR and federal contracts, has secured $40M+ for clients. An NIH/NSF SBIR reviewer for 5 years, she aids diverse founders in healthcare, tech, and more, including those from top universities. An AFWERX SBIR mentor (TechStars), she's known for her YouTube SBIR education (8K subscribers). A former NIH/Gates-backed biotech founder and co-inventor of 12 patents.
Eric Fiklocki, MS
Director of Operations
Eric Fiklocki excels in SBIR funding, government contracts, and R&D. Ex-VP at Inspiralia, he secured global R&D funds. With 8 years of SBIR experience, he helps startups win SBIR, DoD, DOE, NSF grants, and transition to Phase III. He consults on government contracts, aiding tech procurements. At Scout, he directs AI proposal and funding, simplifying non-dilutive funding for innovators.
Derek Gatlin, MA
Director of Grants
Derek Gatlin, MA, 10+ years in biotech, government contracts, nonprofits, directs Scout projects. He leverages AI-driven solutions to streamline grant writing. At KBI Biopharma, as Senior Technical Lead he optimized proposals . At Grant Engine/NC State, he secured $158M+ in NSF/NIH/DoD grants. He developed automation tools, aligning tech with business. With an MA from NC State, he drives grant efficiency.
Justin McClendon, MS
SBIR and Grant Specialist
Justin McClendon, grants specialist/epidemiologist, has 10 years in research, grants, and finance. At Scout, he leverages AI to optimize grants, specializing in SBIR. At NYU Langone/NYU, he managed 120+ NIH/NSF/DoD grants, leading projects. He secured funding for biomedical and AI-driven healthcare initiatives. With epidemiology, biology, and public health degrees, he leverages science with funding.
POST PROGRAM BENEFITS
Community Engagement and Networking
Peer Learning
Share experiences and strategies with fellow founders facing similar funding challenges in our structured peer group sessions.
Funder Connections
Gain access to exclusive webinars and Q&A sessions with grant officers and program managers from major funding organizations.
Expert Office Hours
Schedule one-on-one consultations with grant specialists to address your startup's specific funding questions and challenges.
Alumni Network
Join a growing community of Scout graduates who continue to share opportunities and insights long after the program concludes.
Check what people have to say about us!
Dr. Neeka Mashouf
Founder & CEO — Rubi Laboratories
Scout helped us with multiple DOE submissions
Scout made it so easy to prepare multiple high-quality SBIR applications in parallel while also bringing significant expertise as a team to improving and submitting our proposal! Their platform is a game-changer. They're a fantastic team to work with and we're exciting to continue our partnership.
Dr. Alina Molchadsky
Head of Product — Renewal Bio
It was a real pleasure working with Scout.
Throughout the process, they were professional, responsive and highly engaged. I especially appreciated their flexibility and willingness to adapt when we wanted to shift directions or revise the plan. Their guidance and support made the grant writing process much smoother, and we always felt we were in good hands. Overall, it was a very positive experience, and I would be happy to work together again in the future.
Matthew Dawson
CEO — Elementium Materials
Partnering with Scout has been a tremendous asset
Great customer support. They drove it from start to finish, helping us through a number of unexpected hurdles. Really great to have in our corner and look forward to working with them again in the future!
Amanda Turner
SVP Product and Strategic Grwoth - Ettitude
Repeat SBIR applicant with Scout
This was our first time applying for an SBIR Phase 1 Grant and the SCOUT team was critical to successfully filing on time with all of the necessary requirements. They not only helped us navigate the process but also provided valuable expertise and guidance specific to our project. The team kept us on track for every milestone and drove the project to completion in an extremely organized manor. We look forward to working with them again on additional grant opportunities.
Dr. Ase Henry
Founder & CTO — Fourth Power
What once seemed like an overwhelming process became easily manageable thanks to Scout.
From developing a clear strategy to drafting and submitting the proposal, they guided us every step of the way with incredible expertise and dedication.
Christi Cadd
Executive Director — OrthoCarolina Research Institute
I am a fan of the Scout Team!
As the leader of a small non-profit, our resources are often stretched. The Scout Team has helped push multiple heavy lift grant applications over the finish line. They have provided excellent guidance and direction and continue to meet our organization and align their support with our organizational needs.
Dr. Ryan Serbin
Co-founder — Axolo Med
We feel more confident going into this submission cycle!
We approached Scout to learn how we could improve our first NIH STTR Phase I submission which was not scored/rejected. I was impressed how they quickly turned around a stronger, more rigorous proposal.
Dr. Nithin Dhananjayan
Founder & CEO — Resilient Reach Inc.
Scout was an absolute game-changer for us.
As a startup navigating the NIH SBIR Phase I proposal process, Scout was an absolute game-changer for us, they provided expert guidance on strategy, handled the preparation of all drafts and organized the supporting documents, making the submission process seamless. Their attention to detail and proactive approach saved us countless hours and ensured we put forth the strongest possible proposal.
Tzvi Lev Weber
Founder & CEO - Purpuratus
First time grant applicant
This was our first time applying for a grant, and the Scout team was INVALUABLE. They helped us from square 0 -> submission of our SBIR Phase 1 proposal with the NSF. They provided help with pre-application, criteria screening, application writing and proofreading, material preparation, and submission.
Jeanine Johnson
Co-founder & CSO — Immutiverse Inc.
Scout stepped in and helped us fine-tune our strategy.
They lead and prepared drafts, organizing supporting documents, and ensuring a smooth submission. Their expertise and hands-on approach turned what felt like an insurmountable task into a well-managed process.
Arjun Tambe
Founder & CEO — Kipo.ai
Repeat SBIR applicant with Scout
At Kipo, we're a deeply technical team, but navigating the complexities of grant funding was a significant challenge for us. Working with Scout made the process seamless. They wrote a DLA SBIR Phase I Grant for us in under three weeks and several more after. Scout was amazing in not only writing the grant but also guiding us through the entire process of getting letters of recommendations, completing the budget and submitting the grant. I'll be continuing to work with the Scout team!
Taggart Neal
Founder & CEO — TAGCarts, Inc.
Truly, I couldn't be happier with Scout and the incredible work!
They've helped us prepare a solid NIH SBIR Phase I proposal to bring our innovative healthcare solutions to life. Their expertise and guidance throughout the process made all the difference. Well done Scout and thank you!
Win over $2M
in Non-dilutive Funding
Eligibility and
Application Process
All startups signed up to our program will participate in an application process, that will help you to ensure we're the right platform for you.
Determine Eligibility
We welcome early to mid-stage startups across all sectors that are seeking non-dilutive funding. Ideal candidates have a clear business model and demonstrable innovation.
Submit Application
Complete our streamlined application form sharing your startup's mission, current stage, funding needs, and what you hope to achieve through the program.
Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to a brief virtual interview to discuss your startup's funding goals, and ensure our program aligns with your needs.
Secure Your Spot
Accepted founders will receive an enrollment package with program details, schedule, and access credentials to our platform and community.
Scout: AI-Powered
Grant Discovery and Writing
Automated Grant Matching
Our proprietary algorithm continuously scans thousands of funding opportunities to identify grants that align with your startup's profile, industry, and stage.
AI-Assisted Drafting
Transform hours of writing into minutes with our smart templating system that helps craft compelling proposals while maintaining your authentic voice.
Deadline Management
Our integrated calendar tracks application timelines and sends automated reminders for upcoming submissions.