This week, we’re proud to celebrate National Small Business Week and recognize the innovation, resilience, and impact of small businesses across the country.
At Surface Optics, we may be small, but we are mighty.
In 1986, we received our first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, and it marked the beginning of a long and productive relationship with the program. To date, we’ve been awarded over 40 Phase II SBIR contracts, primarily with the Department of Defense. These competitive awards have fueled innovation across our product lines—including hyperspectral imaging systems, optical property measurement instruments, and advanced optical coatings—with these SBIR-funded technologies transitioning into solutions now used by leading organizations in commercial space, energy, semiconductor, and academic research.
Our current SBIR Phase II project focuses on developing an early-warning multispectral EO/IR aerial platform to detect, identify, and track hypersonic missiles. We will soon begin work on a Phase I effort to develop a miniature visible-band video camera for use in afterburner probes, hypersonic propulsion systems, and combustion-driven test facilities—continuing our tradition of tackling some of the nation’s most complex technical challenges.
As a small business, one of our greatest strengths is the close connection we maintain with our customers. When you work with Surface Optics, you work directly with the engineers, scientists, and experts behind the technology—ensuring faster communication, technical insight, and a shared commitment to success.
Big ideas don’t need a big headcount—just the right people and purpose. Here’s to small businesses pushing boundaries, solving tough problems, and driving progress.