National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

James Donlon

Program Director

Sean L. Jones

Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Virginia

Agrology

Grant in 2023
Agrology is an agricultural technology company that provides real-time data and predictive insights to help growers measure and improve the ecological and agronomic effects of regenerative and sustainable farming practices. The company tracks soil health, microbial activity, carbon cycles, nitrous oxide emissions, net ecosystem exchange, and microclimatic conditions to help growers link regenerative practices to verified greenhouse gas reductions and ecological benefits, support soil carbon sequestration, and generate carbon credits. Its system is designed to help farmers resist and adapt to climate change while monitoring greenhouse gases and informing sustainable farming decisions.

Babylon Micro-Farms

Grant in 2023
Founded in 2017, Babylon Micro-Farms operates indoor farms for farmers to grow a variety of crops such as leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers. The company offers smart, scalable farming solutions tailored to clients' needs, utilizing remote management technology to power a distributed network of micro-farms across North America.

AgroSpheres

Grant in 2021
AgroSpheres, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technologies for the agriculture industry. Founded in 2016, AgroSpheres develops engineered bio-particles designed to deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, which help to minimize waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. The company employs a unique platform technology that enhances the performance of various crop protection products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. By utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques, AgroSpheres creates biodegradable encapsulation solutions that aim to reduce harmful pesticide residues on plants, ultimately promoting healthier agricultural practices and improving the overall well-being of crops.

Babylon Micro-Farms

Grant in 2021
Founded in 2017, Babylon Micro-Farms operates indoor farms for farmers to grow a variety of crops such as leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers. The company offers smart, scalable farming solutions tailored to clients' needs, utilizing remote management technology to power a distributed network of micro-farms across North America.

CytoRecovery

Grant in 2021
CytoRecovery, Inc. is a company specializing in the development of microfluidic technology for the recovery and testing of specific subpopulations of cancer cells from tumor biopsies and other biological samples. Founded in 2017 and based in Blacksburg, Virginia, CytoRecovery's technology allows cell biologists and life science researchers to quickly and effectively isolate rare, homogeneous, and viable cell subpopulations from diverse sources such as tissue and blood. This innovative approach enhances cell biology analytics by enabling the individual trapping and release of these rare cells for subsequent analysis, thereby advancing research in cancer and other diseases.

Altrix Medical

Grant in 2020
Altrix Medical is a medical company founded in 2013 and based in Centreville, Virginia. The company focuses on developing online applications and medical equipment aimed at improving health outcomes. One of its notable innovations is a portable smart automated external defibrillator designed for use during cardiac arrest situations. This device is connected to an application that alerts first responders and provides the patient's location, facilitating immediate on-site diagnosis and treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. Through its advanced technology, Altrix Medical aims to enhance the effectiveness of emergency medical responses and ultimately improve patient survival rates.

TRAXyL

Grant in 2020
TRAXyL is a fiber deployment company that has developed FiberTRAX, a system that applies optical fiber directly to road surfaces to distribute broadband without trenching. The approach enables municipalities, internet service providers, and other organizations to extend connectivity quickly and cost-effectively to campuses, hospitals, military bases, and other challenged areas, supporting 5G rollout and efforts to close the digital divide. Founded in 2014 and based in Warrenton, Virginia, TRAXyL's technology aims to accelerate fiber deployment by painting fiber on pavement rather than burying cables.

Caza Health

Grant in 2020
Caza Health is a biotech company specializing in the microbiome, immunology, and oncology. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Earlysville, Virginia.

Neurowired

Grant in 2020
Founded in 2013 and based in Morgantown, West Virginia, Neurowired specializes in developing biomimetic algorithms. These algorithms interpret biological signals from muscles, nerves, or the central nervous system to predict accurate limb movement in real-time. This technology enables intuitive control of augmented/virtual reality devices, prosthetic limbs, and real muscles.

Polarctic

Grant in 2020
PolArctic, headquartered in Lorton, Virginia, is a specialized data science and oceanographic company focused on the Arctic region. It develops custom products and solutions, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to address business and policy questions related to the Arctic. By providing accurate and timely data-driven insights, PolArctic empowers its clients to plan and execute maritime activities with confidence.

Babylon Micro-Farms

Grant in 2020
Founded in 2017, Babylon Micro-Farms operates indoor farms for farmers to grow a variety of crops such as leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers. The company offers smart, scalable farming solutions tailored to clients' needs, utilizing remote management technology to power a distributed network of micro-farms across North America.

AgroSpheres

Grant in 2019
AgroSpheres, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, that specializes in innovative pesticide delivery technologies for the agriculture industry. Founded in 2016, AgroSpheres develops engineered bio-particles designed to deliver pesticide-degrading enzymes, which help to minimize waiting periods between pesticide application and harvest. The company employs a unique platform technology that enhances the performance of various crop protection products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. By utilizing bioengineering and industrial fermentation techniques, AgroSpheres creates biodegradable encapsulation solutions that aim to reduce harmful pesticide residues on plants, ultimately promoting healthier agricultural practices and improving the overall well-being of crops.

Babylon Micro-Farms

Grant in 2019
Founded in 2017, Babylon Micro-Farms operates indoor farms for farmers to grow a variety of crops such as leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers. The company offers smart, scalable farming solutions tailored to clients' needs, utilizing remote management technology to power a distributed network of micro-farms across North America.

Unanimous AI

Grant in 2019
Unanimous A.I., Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, specializing in the development of swarm artificial intelligence software solutions. Founded in 2014, the company offers two primary products: Swarm AI and Swarm Insight. Swarm AI connects users in real-time to form super-intelligent systems that utilize collective human input, enhancing decision-making and predictive capabilities across various applications, including sales, marketing, and finance. Swarm Insight, a subscription service, enables organizations to gather and analyze the thoughts and opinions of consumer populations, providing more nuanced market intelligence compared to traditional methods such as surveys and focus groups. By merging human insights with AI algorithms, Unanimous A.I. creates dynamic systems that amplify the intelligence of groups, facilitating more accurate forecasts and optimized decisions.

Xopolis

Grant in 2019
Xopolis provides AI solutions for economic and workforce managers. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Reston, Virginia.

Agrology

Grant in 2019
Agrology is an agricultural technology company that provides real-time data and predictive insights to help growers measure and improve the ecological and agronomic effects of regenerative and sustainable farming practices. The company tracks soil health, microbial activity, carbon cycles, nitrous oxide emissions, net ecosystem exchange, and microclimatic conditions to help growers link regenerative practices to verified greenhouse gas reductions and ecological benefits, support soil carbon sequestration, and generate carbon credits. Its system is designed to help farmers resist and adapt to climate change while monitoring greenhouse gases and informing sustainable farming decisions.

Altrix Medical

Grant in 2019
Altrix Medical is a medical company founded in 2013 and based in Centreville, Virginia. The company focuses on developing online applications and medical equipment aimed at improving health outcomes. One of its notable innovations is a portable smart automated external defibrillator designed for use during cardiac arrest situations. This device is connected to an application that alerts first responders and provides the patient's location, facilitating immediate on-site diagnosis and treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. Through its advanced technology, Altrix Medical aims to enhance the effectiveness of emergency medical responses and ultimately improve patient survival rates.

Innerspec Technologies

Grant in 2019
Innerspec Technologies specializes in the design and commercialization of non-destructive testing systems, focusing on high-power ultrasonics and Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) technology. The company is recognized as a global leader in these advanced technologies for the testing of metallic parts and components. Headquartered in Forest, Virginia, Innerspec also operates regional offices in Spain and China. Its product offerings encompass a range of commercial applications, including fully automated turnkey solutions, advanced ultrasonic equipment, and related services, catering to diverse customer needs in the field of non-destructive testing.

Cerillo

Grant in 2018
Cerillo is a biotechnology company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. The company specializes in developing innovative biological laboratory instruments aimed at simplifying common research tasks. One of its key products is a compact multiwell plate reader, which is designed to operate in small laboratory settings. This instrument enables researchers to significantly enhance their capabilities in characterizing microbes, effectively removing the limitations imposed by traditional laboratory technologies. Through its advancements, Cerillo seeks to empower researchers and broaden the scope of biological research.

BlackBoiler

Grant in 2017
BlackBoiler is a legal technology company that offers an AI-assisted contract review solution. It uses proprietary Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing technologies to instantly review and revise contracts, enabling law firms, legal service providers, and attorneys to leverage historical contract data for efficient document review.

TRAXyL

Grant in 2017
TRAXyL is a fiber deployment company that has developed FiberTRAX, a system that applies optical fiber directly to road surfaces to distribute broadband without trenching. The approach enables municipalities, internet service providers, and other organizations to extend connectivity quickly and cost-effectively to campuses, hospitals, military bases, and other challenged areas, supporting 5G rollout and efforts to close the digital divide. Founded in 2014 and based in Warrenton, Virginia, TRAXyL's technology aims to accelerate fiber deployment by painting fiber on pavement rather than burying cables.

Cerillo

Grant in 2016
Cerillo is a biotechnology company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. The company specializes in developing innovative biological laboratory instruments aimed at simplifying common research tasks. One of its key products is a compact multiwell plate reader, which is designed to operate in small laboratory settings. This instrument enables researchers to significantly enhance their capabilities in characterizing microbes, effectively removing the limitations imposed by traditional laboratory technologies. Through its advancements, Cerillo seeks to empower researchers and broaden the scope of biological research.

Service Robotics & Technologies

Grant in 2016
Service Robotics & Technologies, Inc. is a software integration company based in Springfield, Virginia, established in 2017. The company specializes in creating smart device solutions tailored for building management and facility operations. Its offerings include smart building management systems, facility mapping, robot fleet management, automated scheduling, and consulting services. SRT focuses on integrating robotic technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and building automation to enhance operational efficiency in the facility and campus management sectors.

Service Robotics & Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2016
Service Robotics & Technologies, Inc. is a software integration company based in Springfield, Virginia, established in 2017. The company specializes in creating smart device solutions tailored for building management and facility operations. Its offerings include smart building management systems, facility mapping, robot fleet management, automated scheduling, and consulting services. SRT focuses on integrating robotic technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and building automation to enhance operational efficiency in the facility and campus management sectors.

BrightSpec

Grant in 2016
BrightSpec specializes in innovative analytical chemistry services, utilizing its proprietary Fourier transform molecular rotational resonance (FT-MRR) technology. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the company delivers immediate results to clients, addressing high-value, time-sensitive challenges not well served by other spectroscopy techniques. Its platform offers configurations for manufacturing process control, quality control, environmental monitoring, and formulation research.

Aperiomics

Grant in 2015
Aperiomics is a biotechnology company based in Sterling, Virginia, specializing in pathogen detection services across animal screening, agricultural testing, and human diagnostics industries. Founded in 2013, the company uses advanced genomics and informatics technologies to detect viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens through a single test. Aperiomics employs sequencing technologies and Bayesian statistics to analyze blood, tissue, and stool samples sent by customers. The company's unique approach, supported by the National Science Foundation, involves Deep Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing and a comprehensive database of over 37,000 microbes. This enables medical professionals to identify infections that other tests may miss, leading to more accurate diagnoses and improved clinical outcomes for patients who have often been ill for extended periods without a clear cause.

BrightSpec

Grant in 2014
BrightSpec specializes in innovative analytical chemistry services, utilizing its proprietary Fourier transform molecular rotational resonance (FT-MRR) technology. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the company delivers immediate results to clients, addressing high-value, time-sensitive challenges not well served by other spectroscopy techniques. Its platform offers configurations for manufacturing process control, quality control, environmental monitoring, and formulation research.

Parabon NanoLabs

Grant in 2014
Parabon NanoLabs Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Reston, Virginia, specializing in the development of innovative nanopharmaceuticals and advanced forensic products. Utilizing a cutting-edge nanoscale development platform, the company designs multi-functional macromolecules aimed at treating various types of cancer, including brain, lung, and breast cancers. Additionally, Parabon NanoLabs develops and licenses its macromolecules for diverse applications, such as nano-sensors for bioweapons defense, DNA biometrics, and consumer product enhancements. The company's team comprises experts in fields like bioinformatics, oncology, chemistry, and computer science, which allows it to create next-generation therapeutics and forensic tools by harnessing the power of DNA. As a small business recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Parabon NanoLabs has received multiple grants and contracts through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

Aperiomics

Grant in 2014
Aperiomics is a biotechnology company based in Sterling, Virginia, specializing in pathogen detection services across animal screening, agricultural testing, and human diagnostics industries. Founded in 2013, the company uses advanced genomics and informatics technologies to detect viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens through a single test. Aperiomics employs sequencing technologies and Bayesian statistics to analyze blood, tissue, and stool samples sent by customers. The company's unique approach, supported by the National Science Foundation, involves Deep Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing and a comprehensive database of over 37,000 microbes. This enables medical professionals to identify infections that other tests may miss, leading to more accurate diagnoses and improved clinical outcomes for patients who have often been ill for extended periods without a clear cause.

MineLight Solutions

Grant in 2014
MineLight Solutions is a consulting firm that provides solutions such as strategic and operational planning, operational improvement, performance management and reporting, IT restructuring and reoganization, and communication planning. The company comprises of management consultants that mostly offers its services towards federal government clients to assist other businesses or organizations. MineLight Solutions was founded in 2008 by Patrick O'Brien in Fairfax, Virgina.

CEINT

Grant in 2013
CEINT is a collaborative research center headquartered at Duke University, investigating the environmental implications of nanomaterials. It explores their potential exposure, biological effects, and ecological impacts, involving researchers from multiple universities and international partners.

Rivanna

Grant in 2013
Rivanna Medical, LLC is a medical technology company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. The company specializes in the development and commercialization of Accuro, an advanced ultrasound-based system designed to enhance the application of spinal and epidural anesthesia through automated three-dimensional navigation of the lumbar spine. In addition to its primary focus on anesthesia, Rivanna Medical's technology also encompasses various imaging applications, including diagnostic imaging for musculoskeletal and abdominal anatomies. By leveraging innovative ultrasound technology, Rivanna Medical aims to lower healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and minimize the risks associated with radiation from traditional X-ray-based imaging.

Echo Ridge

Grant in 2013
Echo Ridge, founded in 2006 in Sterling, Virginia, specializes in developing and selling systems for resilient Positioning/Navigation/Timing (PNT) and Electronic Warfare (EW), alongside high-fidelity laboratory modeling, simulation, and testing of complex radio frequency (RF) devices and systems. The company offers a range of services tailored for various sectors, including aviation, biosurveillance, cyber intelligence, disaster management, and federal infrastructure. With a focus on both commercial and government markets, Echo Ridge provides comprehensive research, product development, and intellectual property development services, utilizing advanced signal processing algorithms, software design, and hardware production. This enables customers to implement effective wireless applications across multiple domains, including communications systems and sophisticated modeling and simulation environments.

TreeDiaper

Grant in 2013
TreeDiaper is a provider of landscape mats and containers for various plants, trees, and shrubs for your garden or for parks. The company delivers a hydration system designed for potted plants, once the mat is soaked in water alongside with soil for the plant or tree, it helps the plant develop through controlled water release. TreeDiaper was established in 2010 by Dr. Hailing Yang in Ashland, Virginia.

NBE Tech

Grant in 2013
NBE Tech, LLC, founded in 2005 and based in Blacksburg, Virginia, specializes in providing advanced material solutions for thermal management and high-temperature applications. The company offers innovative products including nano metal powder and nano silver paste, leveraging proprietary formulations to create uniform pastes of nanoscale silver powders. NBE Tech holds exclusive rights to its nanoTach® technology, which has been developed from research conducted at Virginia Tech. This technology facilitates a low-temperature joining technique that simplifies the die-attach process by allowing sintering without the need for excessive pressure, a significant improvement over traditional methods. The effectiveness and innovation of nanoTach® have been recognized with a R&D 100 Award, highlighting its impact on the fields of semiconductor electronics and optoelectronics. NBE Tech operates a high-volume production facility at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, positioning itself as a leader in the development of materials that enhance the performance and reliability of electronic devices.

Rivanna

Grant in 2012
Rivanna Medical, LLC is a medical technology company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. The company specializes in the development and commercialization of Accuro, an advanced ultrasound-based system designed to enhance the application of spinal and epidural anesthesia through automated three-dimensional navigation of the lumbar spine. In addition to its primary focus on anesthesia, Rivanna Medical's technology also encompasses various imaging applications, including diagnostic imaging for musculoskeletal and abdominal anatomies. By leveraging innovative ultrasound technology, Rivanna Medical aims to lower healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and minimize the risks associated with radiation from traditional X-ray-based imaging.

Synoptos

Angel Round in 2011
Synoptos specializes in delivering targeted business intelligence solutions for high-profile organizations and campaigns through advanced news and social media monitoring, media analysis, and influencer identification. The company employs proprietary technologies and algorithms, developed with support from the National Science Foundation and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, alongside rigorous human data analysis methodologies. This combination allows Synoptos to assist clients in leveraging digital media for intelligence gathering, optimizing business operations, measuring performance, and enhancing decision-making. Its diverse clientele includes Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, trade associations, political officials, media outlets, lobbying firms, non-profits, and NGOs, all benefiting from Synoptos' comprehensive understanding of the media landscape and information flow.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.