For registration and more detailed information visit:
www.americasseedfund.us/road-tour
About
America’s Seed Fund Road Tour is a national outreach effort to connect innovators and entrepreneurs to non-dilutive, technology funding opportunities provided through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, known as “America’s Seed Fund”.
Between 2015 and 2019, the America’s Seed Fund Road Tour visited every state and Puerto Rico - mostly traveling by bus between stops, with virtual events held between 2020 and 2022. This year’s America’s Seed Fund Road Tour will be held in-person.
As part of America’s Seed Fund Road Tour, local Federal And State Technology (FAST) Partners coordinate with SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation and SBA Field Offices to host each stop and programming throughout the day. Federal agency representatives representing the 11 SBIR and STTR funding agencies, as well as agencies who provide resources to entreprenuers and small businesses, travel to each stop along the tour in a meeting of local and national innovation ecosystems.
Each Road Tour stop facilitates programming and 1:1 meetings between innovators and federal agencies to help attendees navigate over $4 billion in early-stage funding opportunities through America’s Seed Fund.
America’s Seed Fund 2024 Road Tour Schedule
2024 Road Tour Virtual – America’s Seed Fund Week
Jan. 23-25 | Host: SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation
2024 Road Tour Coastal
Feb. 7 - Orlando, Fla.| Host: Florida High Tech Corridor
Feb. 9 - San Juan, PR | Host: Puerto Rico Small Business, Technology and Development Centers
2024 Road Tour South
April 2 – Little Rock, Ark. | Host: Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
April 3 – Jackson, Miss. | Host: Innovate Mississippi, Jackson State University and The University of Southern Mississippi
April 4 – Baton Rouge, La. | Host: Louisiana Technology Transfer Office
April 5 – Houston, Texas | Host: University of Texas at San Antonio – Texas South-West SBDC Technology Commercialization Center
2024 Road Tour Southeast
May 13 – Columbia, S.C. | Host: University of South Carolina
May 14 – Atlanta, Ga. | Host: Innovation Gateway-University of Georgia, Center for Black Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Center at Morehouse
May 15 – Knoxville, Tenn. | Host: Launch Tennessee
May 16 – Lexington, Ky. | Host: Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation
May 17 – Huntington, W.Va.| Host: TechConnect West Virginia and Marshall University
2024 Road Tour Great Lakes
July 15 - East Lansing, Mich. | Host: BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting’s Michigan Catalyst Advantage Network
July 16 - Indianapolis, Ind. | Host: Indiana Economic Development Corporation
July 17 - Champaign-Urbana, Ill. | Host: Research Park at the University of Illinois
July 18 - Madison, Wis. | Host: Center for Technology Commercialization
July 19 - Minneapolis, Minn.| Host: MNSBIR, Inc.
Prepare for Your One-on-One Meetings
During National SBIR Week, attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Federal agency decision-makers to gain an in-depth understanding of the available programs, funding, and support for prospective applicants. Below are resources that provide SBIR/STTR background and aid prospective small businesses and innovators to prepare for one-on-one meetings:
During America’s Seed Fund Road Tour - Midwest 2023, attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Federal agency decision-makers to gain an in-depth understanding of the available programs, funding, and support for prospective applicants. Below are resources that provide SBIR/STTR background and aid prospective small businesses and innovators to prepare for one-on-one meetings:
Is America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR Programs) right for you?
- Watch SBA’s Overview of the SBIR/STTR Programs.
- Online SBIR Tutorials guide prospective applicants step-by-step to ensure that parties of all skill levels and development phases can learn the bases within the application process for federal funding.
- Learn about What is the purpose of the SBIR & STTR programs?
- Learn about Am I eligible to participate in the SBIR/STTR programs?
- Learn about SBIR or STTR? Which one is right for me?
What federal agencies fund the work I do? Figure out which agencies fund technology areas most relevant for you:
- Read about how to navigate funding opportunities
- Review SBIR and STTR Funding Federal Agency One-pagers
- Watch SBIR and STTR Funding Federal Agency 5-minute Reverse Pitch Videos
- Learn about How do I find the appropriate topic?
- Learn about Agency Introductions
- Learn about Contracts vs Grants
Develop your pitch and prepare for your one-on-one meeting
For detailed information on the America’s Seed Fund Road Tours and registration, visit
