Eric Blatt advises emerging companies as to intellectual property and strategic transactions. An accomplished litigator and a former patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Eric is skilled at absorbing new technologies, crafting persuasive arguments, and cost-effectively delivering results. A leading expert on intellectual property issues relating to federally-funded R&D, Eric leads a unique specialty practice focused on dual-use ventures and emerging defense technology. Eric speaks and publishes frequently on intellectual property and other issues relating to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program—a federal program that annually awards approximately $5 billion to startups and small businesses conducting high-impact R&D. He serves as a mentor with several accelerators, including the U.S. Navy’s SBIR/STTR Transition Program, the Department of Energy’s Startup Studio, and Georgetown University’s Venture Lab. Eric is a member of the IP Committee for the Small Business Technology Council, which is an education and advocacy organization focused on the SBIR program.