VelocityTX partners with SBIR/STTR training companies to provide multiple pathways for assistance with Phase I, Phase I to II, and Direct to Phase II SBIR and STTR applications.
What is the SBIR and STTR Program?
Two popular vehicles for government funding are the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs. The Small Business Administration oversees these programs, but the funding is provided by and managed by each participating federal agency.
The primary difference between the two is that STTR funding requires a small business to partner with a qualified research institution in any Phase I and Phase II efforts. Phase I efforts typically provide funds for a feasibility study, which is defined by the specific agency providing the funding. It can include customer discovery, market analysis, and/or engineering schematics. Phase II typically is a prototype demonstration of the technology proposed in Phase I, though these requirements can vary by agency.
Both SBIR and STTR give small businesses the opportunity and funding to conduct research and development. These innovative ideas can be used by the federal government or commercialized for use in outside industries.
What Government Agencies Offer SBIR/STTR Funding?
Numerous federal agencies participate by soliciting proposals through the SBIR/STTR program. Those agencies that participate in the SBIR program are:
Small Business Administration
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
The agencies that participate in the STTR program are:
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Science Foundation
Many of these government agencies have created specific programs to administer these efforts. Drilling down into these programs shows the wide range of funding opportunities available for startup funding, non-dilutive funding, and government contracts:
The Department of the Air Force maintains the AFWERX (Air Force), SpaceWERX (Space Force), Cyberwerx programs and is a partner in the joint Softwerx effort. The Army has the Army Applications Lab. The Navy has the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and jointly administers NavalX with the Marine Corps.
The National Institutes of Health supports innovation funding through SBIR activities at the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration.
At the Department of Homeland Security, some SBIR opportunities are administered by FEMA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
SBIR/STTR grant awards are highly competitive.
It’s critical to submit the best possible proposal for your idea. We have the experience and knowledge to craft a proposal that will get you the funding you need.
If the company wins the Phase I (~$75k for SBIR/~$118k for STTR):
• The company will enter a 6-month retainer contract with SBIR Training Company to do business development (a total of no greater than $27,750). Historically, the business development results in ~$6M in proposals submitted for Phase II, with a 20% win rate.
• STTRs ONLY: Company agrees to convey 30% of the total award to VelocityTX as the nonprofit partner in exchange for the use of the VelocityTX logo, access ot the VelocityTX network and events, and a yearlong coworking membership.
If the company wins the Phase II:
• The company agrees to convey 5% of the total award to the SBIR Training Company.
• STTRs ONLY: company agrees to convey 30% of the total award to VelocityTX as the nonprofit partner in exchange for the use of the VelocityTX logo, access to the VelocityTX network and events, as well as project management services, and a private office/lab space at the innovation center (if applicable).
Benefits of working with VelocityTX and SBIR trainers:
• Publicity of winning SBIR + $75K in revenue; or STTR + up to $118K in revenue
• Obtain sole source authority to contract with the government + SBIR/STTR data rights (IP protections from the Government)
• Shot at winning $1,250,000+ in Phase II within a year, plus any additional wins we propose for during the 6 month of services
If you are interested in applying for funding in 2025, please fill out the interest form below and we will reach out with next steps.
privacy policy