Known as “America’s Seed Fund,” the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs provide competitive access to R&D funds to stimulate technological innovation by small businesses in the U.S. The program can help startups and existing small businesses, interested in or performing research, by providing access to nondilutive grants funds to support proof of concept in Phase I and prototype development in Phase II. If successfully proven, with full development support in Phase II, successful technologies could move into the commercial market.

This event will introduce you to Stephanie Fertig, Health and Human Services (HHS) Small Business Program Lead. She currently oversees the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR & STTR programs. Many companies leverage NIH funding to attract the partners and investors needed to take an innovation to market. They focus on a variety of high-impact technologies ranging from research tools, diagnostics, digital health, drugs, medical devices, and others.