National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF), established in 1950 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing fundamental research and education across all scientific and engineering disciplines. With an annual budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF operates America's Seed Fund, which allocates nearly $200 million each year to support startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This initiative provides non-dilutive funding of up to $1.5 million to assist in research and development efforts, thereby facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and services. By helping to de-risk technology, the NSF plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.

James Donlon

Program Director

Sean L. Jones

Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Ben Schrag Ph.D

Program Director and Policy Liaison, SBIR / STTR

Past deals in Business Development

Future Semiconductor Business specializes in the development of bandgap semiconductors, particularly those used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The company focuses on two-dimensional material-based layer transfer technology, which facilitates the epitaxial growth of high-quality single-crystalline semiconductors on graphene. This innovative approach allows for the transfer of semiconductors to a host substrate, enhancing the quality and performance of the final product. Additionally, Future Semiconductor Business has developed a gallium nitride (GaN) substrate that enables the infinite reuse of the parent wafer, offering a cost-effective solution for large-area semiconductor production. Their technology aims to meet the increasing demand for efficient and high-quality semiconductor materials in various applications.

Strange Development

Grant in 2021
At Strange Development we pride ourselves on the ability to provide CAD Design Services, Engineering, and Manufacturing all in house. We will develop, design, and provide you with all the necessary hardware needed to get your project up and running. Our core services, Prototype & Limited Production Manufacturing, CAD Design, Engineering Consulting, and Engine Testing can be custom tailored to fit your individual project needs.

Tethys Research

Grant in 2021
Developer of industrial enzymes intended to provide high value enzymes and chemical entities to businesses. The company develops combination of disparate disciplines to overcome problems that are not amenable to throughput screening methodologies in order to discover new, high value enzymes and chemical entities, enabling organizations to produce and market chemical products and processes through contract or in partnership .

DeepCast

Grant in 2021
Develop of digital transformation toolkit intended to automate forecasting and optimization workflows. The company's platform helps companies to thrive in digital transformation with integration of human intelligence, physics-based models and advanced data-driven algorithms in machine learning by effectively combining industrial domain knowledge with state-of-the-art AI technology, enabling customers to boost productivity and discover new business opportunities.

Ballydel Technologies

Grant in 2021
Ballydel Technologies is a research and development company that specializes in material and technology solutions. The company was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Newark, Delaware.

Birkeland Current LLC

Grant in 2020
Birkeland Current is an engineering service industry that produces solutions for technology development and business startups. Birkeland Current, LLC specializing in design, manufacturing, business development, system engineering, software, and data services. The company provides remote access to clients and users of BCP controls energy monitoring and controls systems.

Astrolabe Analytics

Grant in 2020
Developer of an analytics tool designed for partners across the battery value chain, from materials developers to systems integrators. The company offers a platform for battery data management and predictive analytics in fields such as automotive and electric vehicles, aerospace, grid storage, and much more, enabling clients to boost business outcomes, accelerate time-to-market, and drive better decision-making with customized options and insights.

RediMinds

Grant in 2020
Operator of a data and analytics consulting firm intended to help businesses manage bulk databases and deploy modern data systems for executing business operations. The company's consulting services focus on designing a data strategy, data engineering, data mining, and data innovation combined with modern data systems that change and evolve based on emerging data-driven insights and signals, enabling businesses to team up with their analytics and decision science teams and plan, define and deliver models through rapid experimentation to drive efficiency and profitability.

Darcy Solutions

Grant in 2019
Darcy Solutions, Inc. specializes in the development of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient buildings. Established in 2018 and located in Excelsior, Minnesota, the company offers a patent-pending approach to ground source heat pumps. This innovative technology is recognized as one of the most efficient options for heating and cooling. By significantly reducing installation costs and making it viable for previously unsuitable locations, Darcy Solutions aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of sustainable building solutions.

Strange Development

Grant in 2019
At Strange Development we pride ourselves on the ability to provide CAD Design Services, Engineering, and Manufacturing all in house. We will develop, design, and provide you with all the necessary hardware needed to get your project up and running. Our core services, Prototype & Limited Production Manufacturing, CAD Design, Engineering Consulting, and Engine Testing can be custom tailored to fit your individual project needs.

MathBRIX

Grant in 2019
MathBRIX is a for-profit EdTech business, with initial support from the National Science Foundation Small Business Research Program (NSF/SBIR). The venture is developing a SaaS math program for children 3-8, which emphasizes higher-order thinking skills and concept acquisition. Children are guided through visual puzzles and games designed to help them see the big ideas behind math, rather than memorize facts. Virtual toy building bricks take the place of traditional manipulatives, with studs on the surface representing numeric value. The platform adjusts to each child's level and comes with a suite of analytics that track learning outcomes. Off computer hands-on projects further extend learning. The MathBRIX mission is to create new learning technologies that will make a significant social and economic impact over time. For the US to remain a world economic leader, all children must be able to think mathematically and problem-solve. Children behind in kindergarten, often stay behind through the remaining school years. Only 40% of U.S. fourth grade students are deemed proficient on national math assessments. Early intervention is key. The visual strategies are derived from the federally-funded Comprehensive School Mathematics Program. Twenty years of research found CSMP students had greater ability to solve novel math problems. CSMP was effective with the gifted as well as the learning challenged. MathBRIX testing with over 500 students confirms high student engagement, feasibility, promise of learning. A larger test is underway in 34 districts nation-wide. In 2018, pre-school and parent education components will be developed with the Parents as Teachers National Center.

ForgeWorks

Grant in 2019
ForgeWorks, founded in 2015 and based in Evanston, Illinois, specializes in a digital platform aimed at assisting civic innovators in addressing real-world challenges. The company's platform integrates human-centered design, educational design research, and agile software development, allowing users to rapidly develop innovative solutions. By leveraging advanced academic insights and user research, ForgeWorks empowers civic innovators to create effective systems tailored to community needs.

BE MORE with Anu

Grant in 2018
BE MORE with Anu helps people and organizations maximize performance, increase profits, reduce wasted costs and meet diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals and aspirations.
Brainchild Technologies develops digital applications that improves parent-infant communication by measuring behavioral data from little ones and integrates it into fun and educational games, and applications on computer or smart devices. The company is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Big Blue Technologies

Grant in 2017
Big Blue Technologies specializes in high-temperature thermal processes for upgrading the value of minerals and ores into metals and ceramics. Currently, BBT is developing a thermal magnesium metal production process.

DMC

Grant in 2017
DMC Biotechnologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boulder, Colorado, focused on developing bio-based products through microbial fermentation technology. The company specializes in the production of specialty chemicals, flavors, fragrances, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. By utilizing Dynamic Metabolic Control technology, DMC aims to streamline the production process, reducing both costs and development timelines from discovery to commercial viability. Founded in 2014, DMC Biotechnologies is dedicated to creating sustainable manufacturing solutions that utilize lower energy and resources, contributing to a more sustainable economy.

DuKorp Studio

Grant in 2017
DuKorp Corp
Advanced Biological Marketing (ABM) provides solutions for commercial agriculture, businesses and consumers by identifying, developing, manufacturing and marketing biological products globally for crop production, institutional sanitation and environmental waste management. ABM emphasizes education, innovative research and strong marketing expertise in these emerging markets.

Sudhin Biopharma Co.

Grant in 2016
Developer of a biopharmaceutical company intended to make biological medicines and other beneficial products. The company develops bioprocesses for the manufacture of biosimilar therapeutic molecules, using high cell density continuous perfusion bioreactors and continuous chromatography or downstream processing techniques, enabling clients to access processes for therapeutic biologicals and viral vaccines.

Big Blue Technologies

Grant in 2016
Big Blue Technologies specializes in high-temperature thermal processes for upgrading the value of minerals and ores into metals and ceramics. Currently, BBT is developing a thermal magnesium metal production process.

Big Delta Systems

Grant in 2016
Big Delta Systems (BDS) is building Li-ion cells that revolutionize the way batteries are engineered, transforming the performance envelope for all batteries regardless of chemistry or form factor. BDS’ novel device architectures improve energy density and power simultaneously, enable safe, rapid charging, and extend the cycle life of the batteries. These performance improvements address the most critical limitations in applications ranging from electric vehicles to smartphones, from power tools to satellites.

DMC

Grant in 2015
DMC Biotechnologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boulder, Colorado, focused on developing bio-based products through microbial fermentation technology. The company specializes in the production of specialty chemicals, flavors, fragrances, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. By utilizing Dynamic Metabolic Control technology, DMC aims to streamline the production process, reducing both costs and development timelines from discovery to commercial viability. Founded in 2014, DMC Biotechnologies is dedicated to creating sustainable manufacturing solutions that utilize lower energy and resources, contributing to a more sustainable economy.

Stealth Biosciences

Grant in 2015
Based on the fundamentals, continuous innovation, establish a high-end brand service image of the industry.

DataWare Ventures

Grant in 2015
Dataware Ventures is a software company that is developing a technology to help enterprise application software (EAS) vendors optimize the performance of their applications. Our patent-pending micro-specialization technology addresses the major pain points of EAS, including slow data loads and slow query performance. Our technology is targeted towards CRM, ERP, HR, and big data analytics applications, as well as their underlying database management systems (DBMS), which are used by virtually every medium and large business.

Inquiry Technologies

Grant in 2015
Developer of a digital hiring platform intended specifically for fair and second chance labor pools. The company’s patented product and services support a dual-sided employer-employee training model for soft skills that is easily accessed and highly personalized, yet scalable at enterprise levels. Our model effectively identifies and matches employers with the best candidates from second and fair chance employees, provides a network of related resources, and trains either side with the skills needed to ensure the success of these placements. The platform saves employers time and money, dramatically improves the jobseeker’s odds of getting hired, helps fill jobs in areas of critical need, and reduces much of the stigma associated with portion of the workforce.

CB Insights

Non Equity Assistance in 2015
CB Insights, previously known as ChubbyBrain, is your personalized gateway to smarter, faster, friendlier intelligence on high growth private companies. CB insights is the ideal tool for those engaged in private equity, venture capital, corporate development, investment banking, corporate innovation & strategy, angel investment and consulting. Whether it is deal sourcing, due diligence, or market and competitive intelligence, CBI has been created to assist you in discovering the right private company information in the most efficient, comprehensive way.

Sudhin Biopharma Co.

Grant in 2015
Developer of a biopharmaceutical company intended to make biological medicines and other beneficial products. The company develops bioprocesses for the manufacture of biosimilar therapeutic molecules, using high cell density continuous perfusion bioreactors and continuous chromatography or downstream processing techniques, enabling clients to access processes for therapeutic biologicals and viral vaccines.

LaunchPad Central

Grant in 2014
LaunchPad Central, Inc. offers on demand end-to-end software solutions to validate business hypotheses, test for values, and accelerate time to market globally. It offers a technology platform, immersion programs, and advisory services; and enterprise, education, accelerator, universities, and government solutions. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco, California.

BHO Tech

Grant in 2014
BHO Tech is a talent acquisition and executive placement search firm.

Scale2Market

Grant in 2013
Scale2Market provides business consulting services in the federal marketplace. Scale2Market was founded in 2012 and was headquartered in Maryland, United States.

Myndbend

Grant in 2013
Myndbend experts provide professional SaaS-related services to mid-size and enterprise-level businesses.

Inquiry Technologies

Grant in 2013
Developer of a digital hiring platform intended specifically for fair and second chance labor pools. The company’s patented product and services support a dual-sided employer-employee training model for soft skills that is easily accessed and highly personalized, yet scalable at enterprise levels. Our model effectively identifies and matches employers with the best candidates from second and fair chance employees, provides a network of related resources, and trains either side with the skills needed to ensure the success of these placements. The platform saves employers time and money, dramatically improves the jobseeker’s odds of getting hired, helps fill jobs in areas of critical need, and reduces much of the stigma associated with portion of the workforce.
Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit organization focused on designing, delivering, and evaluating innovative programs aimed at tackling critical challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. By collaborating with public and private partners, EDC seeks to enhance educational outcomes, promote health and wellness, prepare the workforce, and foster civic engagement. Through its comprehensive approach, EDC addresses urgent societal needs by leveraging the strengths of individuals and systems to create sustainable impact in communities worldwide.

MassChallenge

Grant in 2013
MassChallenge is a non-profit startup accelerator dedicated to supporting promising startups across various industries worldwide without taking equity. With locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK, it offers expert mentorship, tailored curricula, and access to corporate partners, along with significant cash prizes for top startups. The organization fosters economic growth through programs like Bridge to MassChallenge in multiple countries and initiatives such as PULSE@MassChallenge, which focuses on digital health innovation. Additionally, MassChallenge has specialized programs like MassChallenge FinTech and MassChallenge HealthTech, designed to create partnerships between startups and established enterprises to drive innovation in financial services and digital health, respectively. To date, MassChallenge alumni have collectively raised over $2 billion in funding, generated approximately $900 million in revenue, and created over 65,000 jobs, underscoring its impact on the global innovation ecosystem.

Tethys Research

Grant in 2013
Developer of industrial enzymes intended to provide high value enzymes and chemical entities to businesses. The company develops combination of disparate disciplines to overcome problems that are not amenable to throughput screening methodologies in order to discover new, high value enzymes and chemical entities, enabling organizations to produce and market chemical products and processes through contract or in partnership .

Digital World Biology

Grant in 2013
Digital World Biology develops and sells mobile applications and instructional materials that allow students to conduct molecular biology research. The apps can be used by elementary school students to work with DNA structures and molecules. They bring bioinformatics out of the lab and into the classroom. The company also provides professional development for college instructors and school teachers, as a genomics consulting service.

Dynamic Ideas

Grant in 2012
Dynamic Ideas is a research and development group provide modelling of real world problems. Dynamic Ideas firm focusing on applications in finance, supply-chain management, revenue management, routing, software, healthcare, and education.

Invenio

Grant in 2012
Invenio is an internet marketing and software development company.

SDIT Pro

Grant in 2012
SDIT Pro is an IT service and consulting firm that provides multiple services for its clients. SDIT Pro delivers services such as business IT support, network design, server design, business phone systems, IP cameras, home automation, and commercial and residential audio/video. SDIT Pro was established in San Diego, California.

LaunchPad Central

Grant in 2012
LaunchPad Central, Inc. offers on demand end-to-end software solutions to validate business hypotheses, test for values, and accelerate time to market globally. It offers a technology platform, immersion programs, and advisory services; and enterprise, education, accelerator, universities, and government solutions. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Invenio

Grant in 2012
Invenio is an internet marketing and software development company.
Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit organization focused on designing, delivering, and evaluating innovative programs aimed at tackling critical challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. By collaborating with public and private partners, EDC seeks to enhance educational outcomes, promote health and wellness, prepare the workforce, and foster civic engagement. Through its comprehensive approach, EDC addresses urgent societal needs by leveraging the strengths of individuals and systems to create sustainable impact in communities worldwide.
DVIRC is a leading private, non-profit economic development organization established in 1988 to serve the needs of nearly 5,000 Small to Midsized advanced manufacturing Enterprises (SME) in five counties throughout the Philadelphia region. The organization's primary focus is to grow business value for clients through consulting services, talent development and regional, state and federal resource assistance, helping to establish the region as an internationally recognized leader in manufacturing competitiveness. We believe growing business value improves the standard of living and quality of life for those that live and/or work in the region. A diverse board of directors comprised of executives from the manufacturing, banking, legal and economic development communities govern the DVIRC.

Nanocopoeia

Grant in 2006
Their business model is to identify product opportunities in commercially and clinically relevant areas where their ElectroSpray technology and expertise can contribute to match or improve drug performance. They develop finished drug product formulations in support of ANDA and 505(b)(2) regulatory filings, secure product-specific intellectual property.
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