thumbnail image

#seedthefuture

  • Welcome
  • Programs & Events 
    • Growth Accelerator Fund Comp
    • Navigating America's Seed Fund
    • Innovation Ecosystem Summit
    • America's Seed Fund Week
  • Contact
  • …  
    • Welcome
    • Programs & Events 
      • Growth Accelerator Fund Comp
      • Navigating America's Seed Fund
      • Innovation Ecosystem Summit
      • America's Seed Fund Week
    • Contact

    #seedthefuture

    • Welcome
    • Programs & Events 
      • Growth Accelerator Fund Comp
      • Navigating America's Seed Fund
      • Innovation Ecosystem Summit
      • America's Seed Fund Week
    • Contact
    • …  
      • Welcome
      • Programs & Events 
        • Growth Accelerator Fund Comp
        • Navigating America's Seed Fund
        • Innovation Ecosystem Summit
        • America's Seed Fund Week
      • Contact
      • Download Now

        Application Portal
      • 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition

        The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards for impactful and inclusive approaches to foster a thriving, collaborative national innovation support ecosystem to advance research and development (R&D) from ideas to impact.
         
        By fostering connections between entrepreneurs, advisors, mentors, partners, philanthropies, corporations, investors, and other shared resources, the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) will catalyze strategic ecosystem partnerships to build community and organizational capacity for the successful launch, growth, and scale of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-based entrepreneurs and startups.
         
        Competition Goals:

        • Increase the pipeline and success of STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs and small businesses;
        • Increase the success of STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs in accessing capital and resources to advance their businesses;
        • Incentivize innovation ecosystem stakeholders to provide equitable access to resources for underserved communities and industries;
        • Catalyze partnerships and relationships between stakeholder groups to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem; and
        • Connect both new and established participants in the national innovation ecosystem
        Download full competition guidelines.

         

        Prizes awarded in Two Stages:

         

        Stage One: $50,000 cash prizes will be awarded to organizations (Catalysts) to catalyze relationships between aligned stakeholders (Ecosystem Partners) that lead to the development of Growth Accelerator Partnerships. Catalysts work collaboratively with Ecosystem Partners to bring additional resources, deepen network connections, and develop strategies that amplify the impact and success of the Growth Accelerator Partnership and the STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs and small businesses it serves. SBA encourages creative models for ecosystem building. SBA welcomes Stage One submissions from a broad range of organizations with a collaborative vision to nurture a national ecosystem for equitable access to entrepreneurship.
         
        Stage Two: $50,000 to $150,000 cash prizes will be awarded to Growth Accelerator Partnerships to provide assistance to entrepreneurs that transition R&D into the marketplace. The Growth Accelerator Partnership will provide startups and small businesses with additional support and resources. SBA will accept Stage Two submissions from Growth Accelerator Partnerships; submissions will be prepared jointly by Stage One Catalysts and Ecosystem Partners and will present their proposal to successfully accelerate the launch, growth, and scale of diverse STEM/R&D-focused small businesses.

      • Sign up for GAFC Mini-Convenings

        To facilitate relationships between entrepreneur support organizations and potential partners working on similar themes, we’re holding a series of mini-convenings each day from February 6-9, 3-4pm EST. Sign up below for the sessions you’re interested in attending.

        • Feb. 6: National Security and Global Competitiveness, including but not limited to National Security and Defense; International Trade; Public Health.
        • Feb. 7: Domestic Manufacturing and Production, including but not limited to AgTech, Food Security, and Nutrition; Supply Chain Resiliency; Critical and Resilient Infrastructure.
        • Feb. 8: Climate and Renewable Energy, including but not limited to Climate and Environment, Energy, and Sustainability
        • Feb. 9: Under-Represented People, Places, and Themes
        Pick My Session(s)
      • View the recording of the GAFC informational webinar and download the webinar slides for a better understanding of competition rules and guidelines.

         

        Please note, this competition is not intended to provide capital directly to companies for R&D projects.

        Download Webinar Slides
      • 2023 GAFC Application

        View PDF version of the application portal for the list of questions.

        All applications must be submitted electronically through the portal below.

      Small Business Administration © 2023

       

      SBA’s participation in this activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

        Cookie Use
        We use cookies to ensure a smooth browsing experience. By continuing we assume you accept the use of cookies.
        Learn More