SBIR Accelerate CT

SBIR Accelerate CT is a CTNext initiative designed to enhance the competitiveness of SBIR/STTR proposals among Connecticut’s small technology companies. The program helps participants compete for more than $3.2 billion in non-dilutive federal research and development funding through the nation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Program features

• Advanced training sessions open to the public.
• Specialized guidance, which includes up to 20 hours of strategic one-on-one assistance for companies actively preparing SBIR/STTR applications.
• Once accepted to the program, the cost to participate is $250. However, if the company is women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned the cost is $150. (The $100 subsidy is provided through a FAST grant awarded to CI by the SBA.)

Company support

• Overall grant strategy
• Identifying appropriate solicitations
• Project planning tool set
• Editorial review
• Assistance with proposal submission
• Assistance with details of post-submission administration
• Specific one-on-one mentoring

Overall goals

• Provide incentives to companies to learn about and engage in the SBIR/STTR process
• Enhance the competitiveness of Connecticut’s technology companies’ applications
• Facilitate collaborations with academia and industry to improve chances of commercialization
• Drive economic development

Eligibility

• Meet standard federal SBIR/STTR requirements
• The majority of the company’s operations are based in Connecticut
• The project is deemed appropriate for one or more agencies.
• The company has identified a qualified Principal Investigator (PI)
• Agrees to provide CTNext with ongoing feedback for a period of three years regarding application submissions and outcomes
• If accepted, the applicant pays the program fee