San Diego Composites was literally founded on the principles of the SBIR/STTR program. The company was established in 2002 after winning three Phase I proposal from the Missile Defense Agency. Since then, SDC has utilized the opportunities provided by the SBIR program to develop innovative technologies, establish and develop relationships with prime contractors, and grow the business all while providing a good rate of return to the government through strong technology development. The specific research and development needs were focused on using composite materials to reduce the weight of defense products for missiles. From those Phase I awards, Phase II contracts soon followed.