SBIR/STTR is a unique and comprehensive program assists companies seeking Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants and matches many of those awards dollar-for-dollar.

SBIR/STTR, known as “America’s Seed Fund,” 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.

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 Guidelines

Questions? 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.

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.

KIIP was initiated in part through support from the Small Business Administration’s Federal And State Technology (FAST) grant, which KY Innovation has utilized to assist with education and outreach activities related to SBIR/STTR grant programs.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s services, assistance and activities are available to all without regard to race, color, gender or national origin and it is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

For assistance in translating the FAST pages to another language, please visit this suggested site:
Para la ayuda en traducir las páginas de FAST a otra lengua, visite por favor este sitio sugerido:

Google Translate

SBIR CONNECT

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.

Lexington

December 19, 2019 4:00pm – 6:00pm EST
Puccini’s
833 Chevy Chase Pl, Lexington, KY 40502
Register

Louisville

December 18, 2019 4:00pm – 6:00pm EST
August Moon
2269 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
Register

Bowling Green

December 16, 2019 4:00pm – 6:00pm CST
Steamer Southern Seafood Kitchen
801 State St, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Register

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.

KIIP micro-grant

Click the video icon to view the most recent SBIR/STTR webinar.

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KIIP’s Three Primary Objectives:
  • 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.

Consulting Services

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