Rise 8's Story

Accelerating DoD Software Innovation Through Strategic SBIR Wins

"The Long Capture team has been an amazing partner for us. They helped us understand the power of SBIR Phase III and were critical in Rise8 securing several SBIR wins. More than that, they identified that our ongoing SpaceForce Phase III work made us eligible for STRATFI. They led us through the process and were vital to us securing our STRATFI award. If you’re looking togo to market or scale your revenue with the DoD then Long Capture is the best partner out there."

Bryon Kroger

Founder and CEO, Rise 8

Overview

Prior Federal Experience

Rise8 is a digital transformation company that partners with the Department of Defense (DoD) to deliver modern, agile software solutions. With a mission to build resilient, user-centered software for national defense, Rise8 has become a trusted partner for agencies like the U.S.Air Force and Space Force.

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Rise8 is a great example of a team with a background rich in Air Force software factory experience from the military side, but could still benefit from our expertise on the industry side when trying to get funding for their tech.

Before signing with Long Capture, they were skeptical of the SBIR process.

With us they won their first SBIR awards (Phase I and Phase II). From there they were able to handle these processes internally, and then returned to contract Long Capture for proposal support to leverage the SBIR awards to scale their impact and secure critical funding, including a prestigious STRATFI award.

They now have a STRATFI and a $100M IDIQ, both leveraged out of past SBIR wins.

Problem

As a fast-growing software firm focused on DevSecOps and agile delivery, Rise8 needed a strategic partner to help navigate the complexities of the SBIR program and unlock new pathways to scale within the DoD.

While they had early success with SBIR Phase I and II awards, both with Long Capture's assistance, and on their own, they sought to expand their reach and secure larger, more strategic contracts.

Why Long Capture?

Partnering with Long Capture, Rise8 gained a deeper understanding of the SBIR process and how to align their capabilities with DoD priorities.

Long Capture’s team identified that Rise8’s ongoing work with the U.S. Space Force made them eligible for the highly competitive STRATFI program. From there, Long Capture led Rise8 through the application process, helping them secure a significant STRATFI award to further scale their mission-critical software solutions.

Objective

Leverage Past SBIR Wins to Support a STRATFI

Technology

AI, Machine Learning & Data Science

Capture strategist

The Process

01

Design a Capture Strategy.

LC Team Lead: Spencer Armstrong

An essential first step for any company to take when starting on this journey is to establish a strategy forward.

Rise 8 was assigned a capture strategist, one of our federal pathways experts, who talked with them to better understand their current traction, both federal and commercial, as well as their goals moving forward.

With this in mind,  the team developed a long-term strategy, thinking through potential barriers such as the Valley of Death, and addressing funding and preparation to help ensure the smoothest path forward.

The strategy included a multiple SBIR Phase I and PhaseII's which were eventually scaled into a STRATFI.

02

Execute Extensive Business Development.

LC Team Lead: Nick Heil

Rise 8 was a unique circumstance where they had a team of employees who were well-connected in the space before signing with us, and therefore brought in the majority of their own relationships.

Because of this, our BD assistance was less focused on making connections, and more focused on strategy development and identifying the capability gaps currently sought in the federal market where Rise 8's technology could provide solutions.

03

Coordinate Competitive Proposals.

LC Team Lead: Samantha Cole

Rise8’s initial SBIR traction of a SBIR Phase I and Phase II, can be heavily attributed to the diligent work of our Proposal team to help submit compliant, competitive, and compelling proposals, that ultimately led to wins.

With this frame work, Rise8 went on to win their own SBIR awards, and then contracted with Long Capture’s unique“proposal only” service model, to work with our proposal team to submit a STRATFI award totaling $6,577,586.71 prior to match.

Awards Won

Following the strategy set at the beginning of this working relationship, while also leaving room for flexibility when a new opportunities arise, Long Capture has helped Rise 8 to create and leverage business relationships and craft multiple winning proposals. Each win guides their pathways to further success with the DoD.

SBIR Phase I Awards (2 awards | totaling $150K )

WITH Long Capture

AF 22.4

  • Amount Awarded: $75K
  • Award Date: Q4 2022

AF 22.4

  • Amount Awarded: $75K
  • Award Date: Q4 2022

Learn more about SBIR PI HERE

SBIR Phase I Awards (2 awards | totaling $150K )

WITHOUT Long Capture

AF 23.2

  • Amount Awarded: $75K

AF 24.1

  • Amount Awarded: $75K

Learn more about SBIR PI HERE

SBIR Phase II Awards  (1 award | totaling $1.5M )

WITH Long Capture

AF 22.4

  • Amount Awarded: $1.5M
  • Award Date: Q1 2023

Learn more about SBIR PII HERE

SBIR Phase II Awards (6 awards | totaling $10.4M )

WITHOUT Long Capture

AF 23.1

  • Amount Awarded: $1.7M

AF 23.2

  • Amount Awarded: $1.6M

AF 23.4

  • Amount Awarded: $1.7M

AF 24.1

  • Amount Awarded: $1.6M

AF 24.1

  • Amount Awarded: $2M

AF 24.1

  • Amount Awarded: $1.8M

Learn more about SBIR PII HERE

Air Force STRATFI 

WITH Long Capture

AF STRATFI 24.1

  • SBIR Match Awarded: $6.5M SBIR
  • Non-SBIR Funding:  $13M
  • Total Package to date: $19.5M
  • Award Date: Q4 2024

Learn more about STRATFI HERE

Phase III IDIQ

WITHOUT Long Capture

  • IDIQ Ceiling: $100M
  • Award Date: Q2 2023

Learn more about Phase III HERE

Moving Forward

Moving forward with any company like Rise8, where we have gained significant traction with a SBIR Phase I and Phase II, and ramped up momentum with a STRATFI, the next steps are to use the STRATFI award as a launchpad to transition Rise8’s proven capabilities from pilot programs and prototypes into sustained, enterprise-wide adoption across the DoD.

For most companies, this comes in multiple steps: 

1. Solidify the Foundation

  • Finalize STRATFI Execution Plan: Align deliverables with mission-critical outcomes for Space Force and other DoD stakeholders.
  • Strengthen Existing Relationships: Deepen engagement with Space Delta 8, SSC, and other early adopters.
  • Operationalize Lessons Learned: Apply insights from Phase I/II to refine delivery models and reduce onboarding friction.

2. Bridge the Valley of Death

  • Demonstrate Repeatability: Use STRATFI to prove that Rise8’s software delivery model can scale across multiple units.
  • Secure Phase III Contracts: Leverage STRATFI momentum to win sole-source Phase III awards with other DoD branches.
  • Build Acquisition Pathways: Collaborate with Long Capture to identify and activate additional contracting vehicles.

3. Scale Across the DoD

  • Expand to New Mission Areas: Target adjacent commands (e.g., Air Combat Command, Army Futures Command) with similar needs.
  • Enable Platform Integration: Ensure Rise8’s tools and platforms integrate seamlessly with existing DoD infrastructure.
  • Grow Delivery Teams: Scale agile teams and DevSecOps capabilities to meet increasing demand.

4. Measure & Communicate Impact

  • Quantify ROI: Track metrics like delivery speed, mission impact, and cost savings.
  • Tell the Story: Use case studies, testimonials, and data to showcase success to DoD leadership and acquisition officers.
  • Position for Follow-On Funding: Prepare for TACFI, OTAs, or direct procurement pathways

5. Long-Term Vision

  • Establish Rise8 as the DoD’s Premier Software Partner: Deliver resilient, user-centered software at the speed of relevance.
  • Drive Cultural Change: Help the DoD adopt modern software practices that outpace adversaries and empower warfighters.