Small Business Research & Tech Transfer *Focus on Small Business*
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs encourage small businesses to
engage in Federal Research/Research and Development that has the potential for commercialization.
This awards-based program enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and
provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization.
Visit SBIR.gov
Other Agency Programs and Initiatives
SBA offers a variety of programs and support services to assist small businesses. This year, the SBA is launching two $1 Billion Initiatives for Impact Investing and
Early-Stage Seed Financing.
The Impact Investment Initiative intends to commit up to $1 billion to those funds that
invest growth capital in companies located in underserved communities. This will include
investing in economically distressed areas as well as those companies in emerging sectors
such as clean energy. SBA will provide up to a 2:1 match to private capital raised by these
funds, partnering with private investors to target “impact” investments.
The Early Stage SBIC Initiative intends to commit up to $1 billion in SBA guaranteed leverage
over a five year period to selected early stage venture funds. This initiative is intended to promote American innovation and job creation by
encouraging private sector investment in job-creating early stage small businesses.
The i6 Challenge is a multi-agency grant that encourages and rewards innovative, groundbreaking
ideas that accelerate technology commercialization, new venture formation, job creation, and economic
growth across the United States.
The i6 Green Challenge is part of the Obama Administration's Startup America initiative at the
U.S. Department of Energy. The competition aims to inspire and promote entrepreneurship and aims
to encourage and reward innovative Proof of Concept Centers that accelerate technology
commercialization and help bridge the gap between university research and private sector job
creation.
The DoD’s Rapid Innovation Fund focuses on the engagement of small, innovative businesses
in solving defense needs. The Department’s goals for the RIF are to stimulate and transition
innovative technology, primarily from small businesses that resolve operational challenges or
other critical national security needs.
The Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative creates an environment to accelerate the movement
of innovative energy technologies to the market. This funding opportunity announcement seeks
applications proposing approaches to enhance the environment and infrastructure to accelerate the
commercialization of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies developed at
universities.
The Department of Veterans Affair's Industry Innovation Competitions are designed to give VA the opportunity to get the best
thinking from the private sector to solve the Department's most pressing challenges. We're
interested in solutions from all types of organizations—from established leaders in industry to
new start-ups, non-profits, and academic institutions.
