Columbia, Wichita to Host Road Show Devoted to SBIR, STTR

The U.S. Small Business Administration is planning a national “road tour” to highlight the SBIR and STTR initiatives, and it’ll be stopping by Columbia and Wichita in April.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide seed funding—about $2.5 billion annually—to small businesses that are developing innovation-based solutions. Since their founding, SBIR and STTR have made more than 150,000 awards worth about $40 billion total.

“By reserving a specific percentage of federal R&D funds for smaller firms, Uncle Sam encourages domestic small businesses to engage in high-growth priorities and build a strong national economy,” SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet said in a release. “SBIR recipients have created breakthroughs in nanotechnology, robotics, mobile communications, genetic therapies, clean energy and space.”

The tour will be going to states where the STTR and SBIR programs have been underutilized. Not only will the outreach help publicize innovative small businesses, especially those owned by women and ethnic minorities, it’ll also give entrepreneurs in those states a chance to talk in person with the managers of several federal agencies.

The tour will begin with a swing through Louisville, Nashville, Atlanta and Columbus, S.C., during the week of March 23. Kicking off during the week of April 27, the second stage will include Columbia; Wichita; Oklahoma City; Long Beach, Miss.; and Ruston, La.

More details about the tour, including the Columbia and Wichita stops, will be available through www.sbir.gov.