Resources

For companies that build, fly and sell drones and robots

Everything here is either free or a public program. Where a local person can help for free, it is marked. If you know a resource that belongs on this list, send it to team@autonomyrunway.com. Verified government and support organizations can also submit one from their dashboard; the site owner reviews it first.

Financing

Loans for working capital, equipment, facilities and contract ramp-up.

SBA 7(a) and 504 loansfreeGovernment-guaranteed loans made through banks and CDCs. Working capital, equipment, real estate.
SBA MicroloansfreeUp to $50,000 through nonprofit lenders, useful for first equipment and inventory.
Small Business Development CentersfreeFree advising on projections, loan packages and business plans before you talk to a lender.
Lenders active with drone companiesfreeWhich money fits your stage, what the lender asks for, and who has financed drone companies before.

Investing

Equity and growth capital for companies past the prototype stage.

SBIC directorySBA-licensed private investment funds that back small businesses with debt and equity.
AFWERX / AFVenturesAir Force innovation arm that funds and buys from small companies.
Defense Innovation UnitFast-track commercial technology into defense use; home of the Blue UAS list.

Research and development funding

Non-dilutive federal money for R&D, in phases.

SBIR / STTR (sbir.gov)America's Seed Fund. Open topics from DoD, DHS, NASA, USDA, DOE, NSF and more.
NASA SBIRAeronautics, autonomy and sensing topics each cycle.
NSF SBIRDeep-tech and unproven ideas; up to $2M across phases.

Selling to government

Registrations, certifications and the people who help for free.

SAM.gov registrationRequired before any federal contract or grant.
APEX AcceleratorsfreeFree help with registrations, certifications, bid matching and proposals.
SBA contracting certificationsHUBZone, veteran-owned, women-owned and 8(a) set-aside programs.
Blue UAS frameworkApproved-for-DoD drones and components list.

Exporting

Selling abroad: the federal offices that find buyers, the insurance that covers them, and the loans that fund the order.

U.S. Commercial ServicefreeCommerce Department trade specialists in offices across the U.S. and in embassies abroad. They help U.S. companies find and vet overseas buyers and partners; counseling is free.
Find your local Commercial Service officefreeStart with the office nearest you. One call gets you a trade specialist for your market.
Export solutionsfreeMarket research, trade leads, trade missions and the step-by-step path to a first export sale.
Gold Key ServiceFee-based matchmaking. In-country Commercial Service staff identify and vet potential partners and arrange meetings, typically up to five, in your target market.
Export credit insuranceCovers non-payment by a foreign buyer (insolvency, default, war, currency controls) so you can offer open-account terms and a lender can count foreign receivables as collateral. It does not cover loss or damage to goods; that is cargo insurance through your freight forwarder.
EXIM BankThe federal export credit agency. Express Insurance for smaller exporters, working capital guarantees and buyer financing. 1-800-565-3946.
SBA export loansExport Express up to $500,000; Export Working Capital and International Trade loans up to $5 million, guaranteed up to 90%, made through banks. Also fits foreign military sales orders.

Regulatory

The rules that shape what you can build, fly and sell.

FAA unmanned aircraftPart 107, waivers, remote ID and beyond-visual-line-of-sight rules.
FCC Covered List and equipment authorizationForeign-made drones and critical components cannot receive new equipment authorization. Blue UAS platforms and components that meet the Buy American standard are exempt until January 1, 2027. Questions and conditional-approval requests go to drones@fcc.gov.
ITAR (State Department)Registration and licensing for defense-related items.
Export controls (Commerce, BIS)Export Administration Regulations for dual-use technology.

Manufacturing

Making it here, and finding the suppliers who already do.

Manufacturing Extension PartnershipNational network of centers that advise manufacturers; one in every state.
Find your state's MEP centerProduction, quality systems, supply chain; California's is CMTC.
Make Onshoring Great Again portal (SBA)freeFree SBA portal with searchable databases of more than one million verified U.S. manufacturers, producers and suppliers. Source domestic components here.

Marketing and community

Where the industry gathers and where buyers look.

AUVSIThe industry association for uncrewed systems and robotics.
XPONENTIALThe largest annual uncrewed-systems trade show.
Commercial Drone AllianceAdvocacy and policy for commercial operators and makers.
Your page on Autonomy RunwayfreeA page with images, video and your deck that you can send to anyone.

Partnering

Find the company that builds the part you need, or needs the part you build.

Companies looking for suppliersfreeFilter the directory by what companies need.
Companies looking for partnersfreeIntegrators, distributors and joint bids.
EventsfreeThe industry and defense calendar.