Pennsylvania’s Innovation Partnership (IPart) has been the recipient of 11 SBA Federal & State Technology Partnership (FAST) grant awards (current funding award for FY22-23), since the inception of this hugely beneficial SBA funding support program – to specifically assist states with SBIR/STTR client counseling, training, proposal development/review assistance and funding opportunities for SBIR/STTR applicants and other SBIR/STTR-related business assistance.
Purpose of SBA FAST Program
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses in underrepresented areas – typically rural states.
SBA FAST awards build the SBIR/STTR ecosystem through:
Outreach: increase the pipeline of SBIR/STTR applicants through training and outreach; and build the capacity of partner organizations and individuals to support SBIR/STTR applicants and existing awardees.
Technical and Business Assistance: support entrepreneurs and startups through programs or services that improve proposal development and team creation; provide assistance that leads to the commercialization of technology developed through SBIR/STTR program funding; and form or encourage relevant mentoring networks to provide business advice and counseling.
Financial Support: make grants or loans to applicants to pay a portion or all the cost of developing SBIR/STTR proposals (Phase 0), attending relevant conferences, and bridging gaps between phases.
Please read more about the SBA FAST Program HERE
