Entrepreneurs and innovators seeking funding to help turn a technology idea or concept into reality may find it through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The SBA will present the 2021 National SBIR Week from July 19 through July 23 for small business innovators. The virtual event connects entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding – the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
“The $4 billion in federal non-dilutive funding offered through SBA’s SBIR/STTR programs is often a critical milestone in moving an entrepreneur’s research idea from concept to commercial product/services,” said John Williams, director of innovation and technology. “This national conference will enable entrepreneurs across the country to engage virtually with the federal program managers that oversee more than 7,000 awards annually.”
He said the SBA is committed to ensuring innovators – particularly women, minorities, and those located in states with less access to federal or private funding to advance their ideas – are aware of the SBIR and STTR programs.
The SBA wants to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem to ensure entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented communities can fully participate in next-generation research and development. SBIR Week features complimentary events from organizations involved in supporting entrepreneurs across the country including, the Minority Business Development Agency and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.
Register for the 2021 National SBIR Week program on the SBA's website.
