MISSOURI – The Missouri SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) was awarded $125,000 for specialized training, business counseling, and technical assistance for research and development (R&D)-focused small businesses under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. FAST seeks to improve outcomes in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs for underserved communities by increasing participation from women-owned, rural-based, and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.

“Being awarded the 2021 FAST grant allows us to continue our efforts to expand the reach of services for technology innovation to all communities in Missouri, as well as improve the volume and competitiveness of SBIR/STTR applications, and continue to strengthen Missouri’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as the tech hub in the Midwest,” stated Jill Meyer, Missouri SBDC Director of Technology and Innovation.

The Missouri SBDC and BioSTL have collaborated on this grant to leverage expertise and resources to identify and locate entrepreneurs and founders across the state to further build the ecosystem for SBIR.

“BioSTL has had great success over the years to foster engagement with and provide support to entrepreneurs of color and women entrepreneurs. Our collaboration with BioSTL provides the most comprehensive solution for increasing the pipeline of innovation-led businesses across Missouri,” said Greg Tucker, Missouri SBDC State Director.

The Missouri SBDC and BioSTL alliance will bring innovation-led training targeted to rural communities as well as minority and women entrepreneurs. In addition to training, the Missouri SBDC has a talented and experienced team that have specific expertise and knowledge in the technology/innovation space. Aspiring entrepreneurs, technology founders, and faculty can receive one-on-one assistance to complete and submit an application for an SBIR or STTR grant.

The FAST grant allows the Missouri SBDC to provide Phase 0 grants to founders pursuing technological innovations. The Phase 0 grant will be for grant-writing assistance to strengthen the submission with the intent that the applicant will have an improved opportunity to be awarded an SBIR or STTR grant. There is $50,000 that will be used to fund 20 grants across the state through this opportunity.

For technology founders the Missouri SBDC has a few upcoming events that are made available through the FAST grant funding. Sign up for these events in November and December:

Got R&D Money?: Top Tips for Funding R&D with Grants

Thursday, Nov. 18, 10:00am – 11:30 a.m.

NSF SBIR Interactive Workshop

Tues, Dec. 7, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm and Wed, Dec. 8, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom

Fee: $99 is covered by Phase 0 FAST Grant

TechKnow: Your idea/innovation strengths

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2:00pm-4:00pm

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About the Missouri SBDC:

The Missouri SBDC is here to help business owners and entrepreneurs get the information needed to make confident decisions and help Missouri businesses succeed. It doesn’t matter if the business is a metro area start-up or a rural company looking to expand. The business experts of the Missouri SBDC are your neighbors, dedicated to helping businesses grow. missourisbdc.org

The Missouri SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.