The Small Business Association (SBA) seeks proposals from the nation’s innovation-focused entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) that outline programs to speed the launch, growth, and scale of deep-tech small businesses across the country.
Applicants should submit a 12-slide deck and a 90-second video, addressing the relevant elements of one of the following tracks, by no later than 4 p.m. EDT on July 2, 2021:
Track 1: Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC)
Prizes of $50,000 for efforts to provide focused assistance to STEM/R&D entrepreneurs, including support for company formation as well as awareness and education of SBIR/STTR programs. Contestants must focus their proposed efforts on one of the following groups: women entrepreneurs, minority entrepreneurs, or other target entrepreneurs identified by applicants (ie. rural, veterans, individuals with disabilities, etc.). Submission portal: http://bit.ly/GAFCTrack
Track 2: SBIR Catalyst
Prizes of $150,000 to scale collaborative partnerships, strengthen ties between stakeholders (including public, private, non-profit, and academic partners) in support of SBIR/STTR applicants and awardees. SBIR Catalyst winners will help fulfill the SBA’s mission of addressing current gaps in access to the innovation economy for communities of color, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities. Submission portal: http://bit.ly/CatalystTrack
Read the guidelines for both competitions here: https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/2021%20GAFC-SBIR%20Catalyst%20P...
Don’t want to submit but are excited about inclusive entrepreneur support in R&D innovation? Consider serving as a judge – register your interest by June 9 at http://bit.ly/JudgeGAFC21
Visit https://www.sbir.gov/accelerators for more information.