Kentucky offers a unique and comprehensive set of programs to help companies compete for and amplify their federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. The Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP) provides micro grants and professional services to better prepare Kentucky companies to win and manage federal SBIR/STTR grants. With a federal grant in hand, companies can then apply for the Kentucky SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Award program, which matches many of those federal awards dollar-for-dollar. Please see below for details.
Known as America’s Seed Fund, the federal SBIR/STTR program provides non-dilutive capital for small businesses to conduct research and development on innovations with potential for commercialization. Awarded companies hone technological breakthroughs that meet the R&D needs of federal departments ranging from NASA to the United States Department of Agriculture, while being incentivized to profit from product commercialization.
Visit www.sbir.gov for more information on the Federal SBIR/STTR program and funding opportunities.
Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP)
Entrepreneurs who have some of the most amazing and technologically advanced business ideas often need assistance getting their company on solid footing and their product to market.
That’s why the Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP) was created.
KIIP exists to help those entrepreneurs and new companies land the highly competitive and prestigious SBIR/STTR federal grants, which may be matched with state funds. Assistance comes in the form of outreach, recruitment, analysis, expert grant writing services and post-grant management assistance.
- Align SBIR/STTR opportunities with economic and tech development needs.
- Develop more competitive SBIR/STTR proposals to maximize the probability of receiving funding.
- Provide supplemental support for SBIR/STTR-funded companies. A dedicated KIIP fund will build over the next five years along with the growing number of funded companies.
In addition to continuing to provide opportunities for SBIR/STTR companies to learn and network both faceto-face and digitally, KIIP provides candidate companies with access to expert consulting services. Kentucky will continue its commitment to provide competitive matching funds for successful SBIR/STTR applicants in Phases I and II.
Kentucky also offers a wide range of professional services to qualified companies. Those services include:
- Technology assessment
- Preparing comprehensive strategic non-dilutive funding plans that align them with SBIR/STTR opportunities that meet their economic and technology development needs
- Determining whether multiple agency applications are warranted, increasing chances of funding
- Assistance in developing competitive SBIR/STTR proposals to maximize probability of securing funding
- Accounting, compliance and grants management support for SBIR/STTR-funded companies
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SBIR/STTR Matching Funds
The Kentucky SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Award Program is designed to award matching funds to for-profit, Kentucky based companies that have been granted Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Federal Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) grants.
KY Innovation opens two KY SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Award Program solicitations per year. These rounds usually open in March and September, and the window to submit solicitations is approximately 8 weeks. This page will be updated when the solicitation window opens. Information about the program is included in the guidelines below. When solicitation periods are open, a link with the program application and instructions on how to apply will be available.
SBIR/STTR GuidelinesQuestions? Email Kristine.Mcniel@ky.gov
Kentucky leads the way in supporting SBIR/STTR awardees. The Commonwealth will match, on a competitive basis, Phase 1 and Phase 2 federal awards received by Kentucky high-tech small businesses and those willing to become Kentucky-based businesses. Since its inception in 2006, the matching program has contributed to:
- 665 jobs created
- 22 licensing agreements executed
- 208 patents filed
- 42 out-of-state companies moved to KY
- $46.3 million in federal grants awarded from six agencies
The program has been a win-win for companies and the state, with $1.84 in federal awards leveraged for every $1 awarded in state matching funds.
KIIP micro-Grant
The Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP) micro-Grant provides financial assistance for SBIR/STTR activities that help companies explore new markets, identify new opportunities, and strengthen competitive SBIR/STTR submissions.
2020 application coming soon!
EVENTS
SBIR Connect monthly meetings are free and open to the public. The meetings are intended for networking, latest updates on SBIR/STTR programs, and include a Q&A. Whether you are new to SBIR/STTR or an experienced awardee, the meetings are to help expand your knowledge and improve involvement within the program.
SBIR Unplugged
Virtual Format
July 16, 2020
4:00pm – 6:00pm EST
Email SBIR@kyinnovation.com to request Zoom meeting link
Meetings are intended for networking, latest SBIR/STTR program updates, and Q&A. Whether you are new to SBIR/STTR or an experienced awardee, the meetings are to help expand your knowledge and improve involvement within the program.
Funding Innovation Research: SBIR 101 Seminar
Virtual Format
July 17, 2020
2:00pm – 3:00pm EST
KY Innovation and KYPTAC are partnering to provide an SBIR/STTR 101 seminar to introduce the program to potential individuals and companies that may have an interest in the program and would like to learn more. This presentation is designed for those new to SBIR/STTR and those unfamiliar with the program, but may be seeking funding opportunities for innovative research. The seminar will be held in different cities across the state, each month.
Register
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