Through the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs, the U.S. government is searching for new technologies to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) better serve its mission to protect the citizenry from hostile threats.

The DHS targets technologies that are cost effective and close to production; FarSounder's basic sonar system is already used by companies and pleasure boaters.

Created on the back of an initial friends and family round of funding four years ago, FarSounder subsists on state and federal grant money, though this is the company's first SBIR contract. In addition, the company does not expect to pursue venture funding, and Zimmerman expects the company to become profitable in the near future, as it expands its private sector sales of the navigation system.