Funding Opportunities

Government Grant & Investment Programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Provides grants ranging from $100,000 - $750,000 to fund R&D needs of U.S. government agencies that also have strong commercialization potential. The program is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and solicitations are published throughout the year by various agencies. For information contact Insyte Consulting or view the SBIR website at http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/SBIR/

Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Program

Companion program to SBIR to fund cooperative R&D among companies, not-for-profit institutions, and federal R&D labs. Same contacts as SBIR.

U.S. Department of Energy Inventions and Innovation Program

Provides support to inventors and small businesses in developing and commercializing promising concepts to improve energy efficiency, advance new cleaner technologies, and enhance U.S. energy security. Provides free evaluations of inventions and provides financial support of up to $200,000 to selected projects. Contact: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Industrial Technologies, EE-24, Washington, D.C. 20585. Phone: 1 (800) 862-2086. http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions/

National Institute of Standards and Technology Advanced Technology Program (ATP)

Provides federal funding for R&D in general and specific areas of technology. Contact 1-800-ATP-FUND or http://www.atp.nist.gov

NY State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Generally provides financial assistance of up to 50% of project costs up to $250,000 for development and/or commercialization of new or innovative technologies. Contact http://www.nyserda.org

New York State Small Business Technology Investment Fund (SBTIF)

Makes investments of up to $500,000 in promising technology companies. Contact Jack McGowan at Insyte Consulting (716) 636-3626 or Anthony Quenelle aquenelle@empire.state.ny.us at Empire State Development (518) 292-5100. www.nylovesbiz.com/High_Tech_Research_and_Development/investment_fund.asp

Erie County IDA - Niagara Region Ventures Fund Investments

Invests $100,000-$300,000 in promising growth companies. Contact Alfred Culliton, acullito@ecidany.com ECIDA, 275 Oak Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Phone (716) 856-6525. http://www.ecidany.com/products_venture_capital.asp

UB Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR)

Provide financing and university technical assistance to help small businesses improve existing products and develop new ones. Contact UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach. Phone (716) 636-2568. http://www.tcie.buffalo.edu/SPIR.htm

New York State Industrial Effectiveness Program (IEP)

A New York State initiative that provides grants to manufacturers to share in the cost of performing productivity assessments and implementing improvements. Contact John Murray at Insyte Consulting (716) 845-6355.

WNY Business Development Fund

A pilot program, based on a technology investment partnership, that provides seed and growth capital of up to $200,000 and ongoing management assistance to WNY technology entrepreneurs and start-up companies. Cash matching by awardees is required. Contact Insyte Consulting at (716) 636-3626 or visit the Business Development Fund page.