America's Seed Fund Week - America's Seed Fund

America's Seed Fund Week 2024
Details coming soon!
What is America’s Seed Fund Week?
A series of virtual events representing a collaborative outreach effort that connects entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies and the organizations that support them to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding.

This free and virtual opportunity for small businesses to learn about non-dilutive funding available through America’s Seed Fund that awards $4 billion annually to small businesses for R&D is attended by thousands of startups, small businesses, innovators, and other members of the innovation ecosystem support system.

During America's Seed Fund Week, representatives from all 11 participating agencies and multiple additional departments were on hand to answer questions and provide further details on their programs.
Be sure to visit the Agency Resources page to access 1-Pagers that list topic areas; Reverse Pitch Slide Decks that provide details, stats, and contact information; and Reverse Pitch Videos where Program Managers pitch their programs to innovators!

America’s Seed Fund Week and Startup Expo were held together in 2023! Startup Expo is a showcase of innovative startups featuring technology developed through America’s Seed Fund. At Startup Expo 2023, some of the most innovative early companies presented their technologies and shared their experiences working with America’s Seed Fund.
Visit the Startup Expo page for 2023 session recaps and video replays.
Show Notes and Video Replays
Call to Innovation Enthusiasts, Investors, and Partners:
Startup Expo 2023 will showcase innovative startups who are developing cutting edge technologies!

On Monday, May 15, SBA is hosting its 2nd America's Seed Fund Startup Expo. This is a competitive showcase of innovative ventures that have benefited from America's Seed Fund. Nine startup companies will present solutions critical for our nation's prosperity, global competitiveness, and national security.

All of these companies are either seeking investment, corporate partners, or unique customers - come learn about their business and connect with them at Startup Expo 2023!

Registration to attend America's Seed Fund Week includes access to attend the Startup Expo.
Register Now!
America's Seed Fund Week Speakers
Isabella Casillas Guzman
Administrator;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Quenton Bonds
SBIR IGNITE, Lead;
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Susan Celis
Director, Defense SBIR/STTR Program Office;
Department of Defense (DoD)
Bailey G. DeVries
Associate Administrator and head of the Office of Investment and Innovation;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Stephanie Fertig
Health and Human Services (HHS) Small Business Program Lead;
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Elden Hawkes, Jr
Partnership and Innovation Specialist;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Nancy Kamei
SBIR/STTR Program Development Manager;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Mina Khalil
SBIR/STTR Program Manager;
United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
Helena Krusec
Strategic Engagement Lead;
AFWERX

Erick Page-Littleford
Program Manager, SBIR/STTR Programs;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Jason Rathje
Director of the Office of Strategic Capital;
Department of Defense
April Richards
SBIR Program Manager;
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ben Schrag
SBIR/STTR Program Director;
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Jennifer Shieh
Director of Ecosystem Development;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Katy Sly
Marketing and Communications Specialist;
U.S. Small Business Administration
Robert Smith
Director, SBIR/STTR Programs;
Department of the Navy
Andy Yakulis
Director, Corporate Ventures;
Army Applications Lab
Join us at America's Seed Fund Week 2023!
REGISTER NOW
America's Seed Fund Week Schedule
Additional Community Events are hosted by FAST Awardees across the country during America's Seed Fund Week.
Show Notes and Video Replays from America's Seed Fund Week 2023
Video Replays, Show Notes, and Resource Links from the Live Sessions held during
the 2nd Annual America's Seed Fund Week 2023.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Bailey DeVries; Associate Administrator and head of the Office of Investment and Innovation; U.S. Small Business Administration, and Erick Page-Littleford; Acting Director and Program Manager, SBIR/STTR Programs, U.S. Small Business Administration, welcome attendees to the second annual America’s Seed Fund Week 2023.

Show Notes & Links:
Find FREE tutorials to get you started with applying for America's Seed Fund here .
Learn more about America's Seed Fund here.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 101
Erick Page-Littleford; Acting Director and Program Manager, SBIR/STTR Programs, U.S. Small Business Administration, dives into the basics of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This 101 session is perfect for both the new and the experienced.

Show Notes & Links:
Download the SBIR 101 Slide Deck here.
Check out the FAQ for eligibility requirements here.
Learn more about FAST here.
Find a list of the participating SBIR/STTR agencies here.

Is America's Seed Fund For Me?
Moderated by Nancy Kamei; SBIR/STTR Program Development Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration.

Panelists:
Ben Schrag; SBIR/STTR Program Director, National Science Foundation (NSF). Agency website: https://seedfund.nsf.gov
Stephanie Fertig; Health and Human Services (HHS) Small Business Program Lead, National Institutes of Health (NIH). Agency website: seed.nih.gov/
Susan Celis; Director, Defense SBIR/STTR Program Office, Department of Defense (DoD). Agency website: https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/

Show Notes & Links:
Register your entity: Obtain a "Unique Entity ID (UEI)" ahead of submitting your proposal or application at SAM.GOV .
For organizations wishing to participate in training to help support entrepreneurs, get more information on Navigating America's Seed Fund here.

Inside the Head of an Evaluator
Moderated by Elden Hawkes, Jr.; Partnership and Innovation Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration.

Panelists:
Quenton Bonds; SBIR IGNITE, Lead, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Agency website: https://sbir.nasa.gov/ignite
Mina Khalil; SBIR/STTR Program Manager, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Agency website: https://www.socom.mil/ or https://sofwerx.org/
April Richards; SBIR Program Manager, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Agency website: https://www.epa.gov/sbir

Show Notes & Links:
Find a local resource in your area to help answer your questions here .
Learn more about the Federal And State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program here.
Visit the DOD DSIP (Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal) here.

Next Steps, Getting Started
Moderated by Erick Page-Littleford; Acting Director and Program Manager, SBIR/STTR Programs; U.S. Small Business Administration. Closing Remarks follow this session.

Panelists:
Jennifer Shieh; Director of Ecosystem Development, U.S. Small Business Administration.
Elden Hawkes, Jr.; Partnership and Innovation Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration.

Show Notes & Links:
Find Phase Zero & State Matching Programs here.
Visit the SBIR Tutorial: Building and Supporting a Diverse Workforce To Seed the Future here.
Access the Press Release: SBA Announces 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage One Winners here.
Search past award data here.
Keep up with SBIR events here.
Contact
Please use the form below to submit questions.
America's Seed Fund RESOURCES
Below you'll find the America's Seed Fund overview presentation as well as a simple Fact Sheet. In addition, there are 11 Federal Agencies that manage America’s Seed Fund awards, and we have information about them below. Each agency funds a variety of topics, so it’s important to learn about each of them as you prepare to apply for funding!
Seed Fund 101 Deck
Download
America's Seed Fund Fact Sheet
Download
Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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Reverse Pitch Deck
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America's Seed Fund Week Session Preview

Monday, May 15 2:00 - 5:00 PM EST
America’s Seed Fund Week Welcome & Startup Expo 2023
See commercialized technologies from rising startups that were developed through America's Seed Fund SBIR/STTR programs! Meet and connect with 9 innovative startups who are looking for customers, innovation partners, and private investment!
Tuesday, May 16 2:00 - 3:30 PM EST
Learning Sessions and Panels
Join expert leadership from America’s Seed Fund for two panels focused on the basics of SBIR, how to get started, and how to understand the difference between granting and contracting agencies!
Wednesday, May 17 2:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Agency Open House
Get directly in front of the Program Managers and America’s Seed Fund decision makers! Each agency representative will give a “reverse pitch”, selling attendees on the benefits that their programs provide to small businesses. Then, Program Managers will hold Q&A sessions with attendees to help uncover challenges and discover opportunities across programs.
Thursday, May 18 2:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Learning Sessions and Panels
After today’s panels, you’ll be ready to create a more competitive proposal and have a full understanding of all available resources within your state who are here to guide you on your journey.
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Check out Highlights from 2022 America’s Seed Fund Week
2022 America's Seed Fund Week was a virtual, collaborative outreach effort connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies and the organizations that support them to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding – the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which provide over $4 billion in funding to small businesses each year in a wide variety of technology areas.

2022 America's Seed Fund Week provided attendees with an opportunity to hear directly from the participating federal agency program managers that administer over 7,000 new awards annually and to engage with program decision-makers.

The week may be over, but you can still take advantage of the resources provided.

1. The Video section below contains the recorded content from the 2022 America's Seed Fund Week. It's a wealth of information!
2. The Resources section below contains simple, short presentations from each federal agency that will help you navigate which SBIR programs might be the best fit for you. There are also some simple overviews of the SBIR/STTR program.
3. Sign up for important and helpful updates about the SBIR program here.
4. When you're ready to begin your SBIR/STTR journey, go to SBIR.gov.