SBIR relies on the participation of federal agencies, support organizations, and entrepreneurs around the country.
The SBIR Innovation Ecosystem
Current Awardees
Explore our various innovation partnerships across the US.
Innovation Ecosystem Programs
GAFC
The Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) supports innovation-focused entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) with programs to speed the launch, growth, and scale of deep-tech small businesses across the country with a focus on small business owners in undercapitalized regions.
FAST
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from small businesses owners in undercapitalized regions.
Program Spotlight
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a higher-education-based economic development program that assists entrepreneurs, both new and seasoned, with every aspect of business creation, management, and operation.
Event Spotlight: 2025 SBIR/STTR SpringInnovation Conference
Dates: June 9 - 11, 2025
Austin JW Marriott
Austin, TX
From June 9 - 11, America’s Seed Fund heads to Austin, TX for the 2024 SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference. This three-day event provides a valuable opportunity to accelerate your innovation journey, so please register to join us.
Highlights:
• Meet with and hear from America’s Seed Fund leaders and experts
• Learn how to develop competitive proposals
• Access available resources to support your SBIR/STTR journey
You'll have the chance to meet with SBIR/STTR Program staff from these federal agencies (tentative, invited):
• NSF (National Science Foundation)
• DOE (Department of Energy)
• NIH (National Institutes of Health)
• HHS (Health and Human Services)
• DoD (Department of Defense)
• AFWERX (Air Force)
• Army (US Army)
• DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
• DHA (Defense Health Agency)
• MDA (Missile Defense Agency)
• Navy (US Navy)
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
• USDA (US Department of Agriculture)
• DHS (Department of Homeland Security)
• DOT (Department of Transportation)
• ED (Department of Education)
• NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
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