July 2021

The SBIR/STTR program is designed to address federal needs for research and development (R&D), as well as to drive technological innovation. The funding is available through 11 federal agencies.

Phase I is used to establish feasibility and potential for R&D efforts and to evaluate company performance and is matched 50% by Elevate.

Further support can be sought through Phase II, which is used to continue the R&D initiated in Phase I. As of July 2021, Elevate will match up to $75,000 per Phase II award and $150,000 per company. Unlike Phase I matching, which comes in the form of a grant, the Phase II match is a standard convertible note.

“The SBIR/STTR program is one of the largest sources of funding for innovation-driven companies at their earliest stage of development,” said Ting Gootee, chief investment officer at Elevate Ventures. “This additional support provides another edge for Indiana companies to compete nationally.”

For fiscal year 2020-2021, 25 companies received $1.3 million in funding from Indiana’s SBIR/STTR matching program, in addition to nearly $6 million in federal Phase I grants. These companies are:

• Advanced Science and Automation Corp., Indianapolis
• Akanocure Pharmaceuticals Inc., West Lafayette
• BDYWR LLC, West Lafayette
• Consensus Networks LLC, South Bend
• Continuity Pharma LLC, West Lafayette
• Engine Research Associates Inc., Fort Wayne
• Eperture LLC, Columbus
• Flightprofiler LLC, Newton
• Grannus Therapeutics LLC, Indianapolis
• Health Smart Technologies Inc., Zionsville
• Heliponix LLC, Evansville
• infoSentience, Bloomington
• Miftek Corporation, West Lafayette
• Multiscale Integrated Technology Solutions LLC, Carmel
• Next Offset Solutions, Inc., West Lafayette
• Ocella, Inc. (d/b/a Ateios), Newberry
• Pierce Aerospace LLC, Carmel
• RightFit Analytics Inc., West Lafayette
• Spirrow Therapeutics LLC, West Lafayette
• Star Voltaic LLC, Indianapolis
• Terran Robotics, Bloomington
• Trek10 Inc., South Bend
• Valgotech LLC, Indianapolis
• Vasculonics Inc., Indianapolis
• Vennli Inc., South Bend

To apply for Phase I or Phase II matching dollars, support letters or assistance, please click here.

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The SBA/MCC partnership will identify, pilot, and scale innovative technologies to address country-specific needs in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture and irrigation, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene.  It will also help U.S. small business innovators gain access to international markets.

“This agreement continues the incredible collaboration between our two agencies as we support small businesses that are discovering innovative technologies to solve some of the world’s most complex problems.  By combining our focus on renewable energy, climate, and the environment, we’re demonstrating American leadership and commitment to sustainable economic development,” said SBA Director of Innovation John Williams.

“Our collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration will allow MCC partner countries to more easily access proven, cutting edge technologies to solve some of their most pressing development challenges,” said MCC’s Vice President of the Department of Compact Operations Fatema Z. Sumar. “We are pleased to be joining with other U.S. government agencies to maximize our joint impact, while also providing opportunities to scale private sector involvement in MCC’s blended finance work.”

The SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs across the participating federal agencies, now totaling over $4 billion a year in R&D awards for small businesses.  Through this role, the SBA has contributed to the creation of MCC’s new Innovation and Technology Program (ITP), providing private sector technology solutions for developmental impact and commercialization with MCC programs and partner countries.

In November 2020, the SBA and MCC hosted a virtual roundtable that focused on technologies in the water, agriculture, and irrigation sectors. Occurring jointly with the signing of the MOU, the SBA and MCC convened a second virtual roundtable to bring together agencies and program managers from the climate resiliency and energy sectors to discuss innovations that may align and create opportunities in MCC partner countries.

Learn more about MCC here.

About the SBIR and STTR Programs

The SBIR/STTR programs represent the nation’s largest source of early stage research and development funding for small businesses. The programs are administered by the SBA in collaboration with 11 federal agencies that collectively supported more than $4 billion a year in federal research and development funding. www.sbir.gov.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov

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