NASA Announces 45 Million for Small Business Entrepreneurs

NASA has announced that it will invest more than $45 million in 365 proposals from American small businesses. The agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies. 

“These small businesses and research institutions represent the latest wave of innovators working to develop their game-changing concepts for potential infusion in a NASA mission and, ideally, eventual commercialization,” NASA SBIR/STTR program executive Jason L. Kessler told FOX Business via email. “We’re proud to partner with a diverse group of innovators and expand the reach of NASA across the country.”

In an official press release, NASA reiterated that small businesses are crucial to their mission and said that 289 small businesses and 47 research institutions were granted Phase I funding in 2021 — with most being first-time recipients.

“At NASA, we recognize that small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic,” said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). “This year, to get funds into the hands of small businesses sooner, we accelerated the release of the 2021 SBIR/STTR Phase I solicitation by two months. We hope the expedited funding helps provide a near-term boost for future success.” 

As a result of the pandemic, NASA moved up the solicitation period to expedite funding, with the goal of providing critical support for entrepreneurs. 

“It is our sincere hope that the proposals selected for award develop into products that not only help NASA achieve its ambitious goals but go on to serve as the foundation for businesses that provide jobs and livelihoods throughout the country,” Kessler said.

The selected small businesses come from 38 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Recipients include the woman-owned and Connecticut-based Symatec Inc., which will develop radiation tolerant, high-voltage, high-power diodes.

Innoveering LLC, a Hispanic American-owned small business based in Ronkonkoma, New York, was also selected to develop a wind sensor to support a flight path control system for high-altitude scientific balloon missions.

“We are excited to have a large cohort of new small businesses join the NASA family via the SBIR/STTR program,” Jim Reuter, associate administrator for the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), said in the press release.

The Alliance to Save the American Dream is a non-profit organization dedicated to three core goals.

1. Develop an Ideas Factory to give small businesses and industries a centralized place to share innovative ideas that must be considered.

2. Build a unique Resources portal for small businesses to go to for answers or resources that address a wide range of issues or challenges.

3. Offer a new networking opportunity for small business owners to connect while also giving them a platform to share their own personal stories.

For more information, visit savetheamericandream.com.