The U.S. Small Business Administration’s SBIR Week in the South, Nov. 2-6, will connect Arkansas entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding – the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
Also known as America’s Seed Fund, SBIR/STTR focuses on next-generation research and development and is led by the SBA with 11 participating federal agencies.
“SBA is focused on helping small businesses grow and expand. The $4 billion in federal early-stage funding is often a critical piece to maturing an entrepreneur’s research idea into a product or service. These regional virtual SBIR events bring the federal managers to the entrepreneur and target areas and individuals that are underrepresented when it comes to receiving federal R&D funding,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “These events reflect our continued commitment to ensure those innovators are aware of SBIR/STTR program resources.”
Program managers from the participating federal agencies will conduct virtual one-on-one meetings with small businesses, take part in targeted panels, discuss technology areas, and share insights into how the agencies make funding decisions.
As the state’s designated host for SBIR Week in the South, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is encouraging Arkansas entrepreneurs, researchers and small companies to participate and helping them prepare for the opportunity to engage program decision makers.
The SBIR and STTR programs provided $4 billion during FY2020 in early-stage, non-dilutive funding to small businesses in a wide variety of technology areas, such as unmanned systems, advanced materials, health, cybersecurity and defense.
The agencies award more than 5,000 new SBIR/STTR grants and contracts per year. The funding has helped U.S. innovators advance new technologies and create thousands of jobs, according to SBA.
Small technology firms, innovators, scientists or researchers seeking more information on SBIR Week activities, including the schedule of events and participating agencies, should visit asbtdc.org/sbir-week-2020.
There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is required. The deadline to request one-on-one meetings is Oct. 28.