The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has just announced the winners of the first phase of the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). This competition awarded up to $3 million in prizes to support entrepreneurs from underserved communities in key science and technology areas. Each winner received a $50,000 prize for their effective and inclusive practices in fostering a successful, collaborative national innovation support network.
GAFC Stage One winners were selected from a group of candidates who demonstrated innovative ways to advance small business research and development (R&D) in three key areas: national and economic security, domestic manufacturing and production, and sustainability and biotechnology. Winners come from 41 U.S. states and territories, including Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, with 65% being first-time recipients.
“The winners of the first phase of the SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund competition join the SBA's incredible network of entrepreneur support organizations that contribute to America's innovative startup ecosystem and ensure the next generation of science and technology-based innovation thriving businesses,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “In our tenth year of advancing our nation’s innovation ecosystem, this competition provides a unique opportunity to recognize the critical importance of those who help entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds capitalize on opportunities to scale and grow.”
The winners of the first stage now have the chance to participate in the second stage of the competition, where they can win additional cash prizes of between $50,000 and $150,000 to bring their research and development to market. Applications for the second stage will open in June and the SBA plans to announce the 2024 winners by September.
Since its launch in 2014, the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition has awarded 427 prizes totaling more than $26 million to 314 unique winners across the U.S. and its territories.
First stage winner
Here are the winners of the first stage:
National and economic security
- Ala: The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship
- California: Starburst Accelerator
- Colo. Catalyst accelerator
- Idaho.: Starting point
- Ind.: Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and Indiana Center for Emerging Technologies
- La.: Maven Scouts
- Md: Rural Autonomous Innovation Network (RAIN), Association of University Research Parks (AURP)
- Mich.: BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting*
- Miss.: Renew Mississippi
- Mon: Codefi Foundation for Rural Innovation
- Mont.: Montana in early stages
- Neb.: Invest Nebraska
- NM: University of New Mexico and NewSpace Nexus
- Oklahoma: Metro Technology Centers
- Pa.: The Crenshaw Institute of Applied Science and Technology
- Texas: Capital Factory
- Va.: Tambourine Innovation Ventures
Domestic manufacturing and production
- Arizona: Startup Tucson
- Ark.: Endeavor NWA Entrepreneurs
- Washington, DC: National Disability Institute
- Florida: Florida Institute of Technology and International Business Innovation Association
- Hawaii: XLR8HI
- Md.: Salisbury University – Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship
- Mich.: Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting*
- NY: FuzeHub and Southern Tier High Technology Incubator, Inc.
- NC: RIoT and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- ND: Grand Farm Research and Education Initiative, Inc.
- SC: TechConnect
- Utah: Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Institute
- Washington: 360 Social Impact Studios
Sustainability and biotechnology
- Alaska: Spruce Root, Inc.
- California: Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
- Connect: The Community Foundation-Mission Investments Company
- Washington, DC: Proactive Network for Women in Engineering
- Image: University of Illinois Research Park, LLC
- Maine: Central Maine Growth Council and Gulf of Maine Research Institute
- Trade Show: SeaAhead, Inc.
- Mich.: BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting*
- Minn.: RuralWorks Partners, LLC
- NY: The Research Foundation for the School of Business at SUNY New Paltz
- NC: Eva Garland Consulting, LLC
- Ohio: Bounce Innovation Hub
- Ore: VertueLab and Oregon Health and Science University
- Pa.: University City Science Center
- PR: CARBONO3 LLC
- Tennessee: BioTN Foundation, Inc. and Native American Investment and Capital Alliance
- Texas: Health Wildcatters and Impact Hub Houston
- Utah: High Altitude Laboratory
- Vt.: LaunchVT
- Va.: FedTech
- W.Va.: US Research Impact Alliance Corp.
- Wyo.: University of Wyoming
*SBIR in all three subject areas.
For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and how to connect to a Stage Two Growth Accelerator partnership, visit SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (americasseedfund.us).
Image: SBA