Russell Long

Russell Long is the Founder and CEO of Long Capture, a company established in 2017 to assist commercial companies in navigating the complexities of securing federal funding, particularly through programs like the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) initiatives. His expertise lies in connecting innovative technology startups with government contract opportunities, thereby facilitating their growth and integration into the defense sector.23

Background and Education

Long holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Studies from Oklahoma State University. Before founding Long Capture, he served as a Contracting Officer for the U.S. Air Force for over five years, where he gained valuable insights into government procurement processes and the needs of end-users within the Department of Defense (DoD).23

Professional Contributions

As a founding member of The Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government, Long plays a pivotal role in advocating for innovative technologies within government sectors. At Long Capture, he has successfully helped over 365 tech startups secure more than $222 million in contract awards, significantly enhancing their capacity to deliver cutting-edge solutions to military clients.32

Key Insights

In his recent appearances on podcasts, Long discusses strategies for crafting effective proposals that resonate with government clients, emphasizing the importance of understanding client pain points and building strong relationships. He also highlights the need for startups to engage in customer discovery early in their projects to identify suitable government partners.14