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SBIR/STTR FAQs

SBIR/STTR Information

You must meet all of the criteria to be eligible for the SBIR/STTR programs: – Does your business employ 500 or fewer employees, including affiliates? – Is your business at least 51% owned and operated by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? – Is your business a for-profit entity or will you form a for-profit entity? – Is your business located in the United States? – Is your Principal Investigator (main researcher) devoting at least 51% time to the business? (This is required for SBIR but not for STTR)

For entrepreneurs:

– Enables early transfer of technology and establishment of start-up companies
– Use funds to prove feasibility
– Retain Intellectual property
– Don’t have to pay back
– Won’t dilute ownership

For Maine:
– Additional jobs
– Increased Innovation
– Increased economic development
– Increased tax base

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs represent the nation’s largest source of early-stage funding for research and development in high-risk, innovative technologies. Each year, 11 federal agencies allocate a combined $4 billion through these awards to drive advancements in cutting-edge sectors. SBIR/STTR awards are instrumental in:

– Supporting the development of proof-of-concept models and functional prototypes
– Facilitating the hiring of specialized technical personnel and subject-matter experts
– Enabling the acquisition of critical materials, equipment, and tools
– Providing a pathway to validate technologies for federal procurement and government contracting – Financing collaborative research initiatives with academic institutions

Unlike equity-based financing models, SBIR/STTR funds are non-dilutive, meaning awardees retain full ownership of their companies and all associated intellectual property rights.

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