USRIA receives SBA grant to help WV get SBIR/STTR dollars

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced US Research Impact Alliance (USRIA) as one of forty-four Stage Two winners for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC).

USRIA will receive a $100,000 cash prize for its work as a Growth Accelerator Partnership in supporting the launch, growth, and scale of STEM/R&D-focused small businesses in sustainability, biotechnology, and climate tech areas.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the SBA as a winner in the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. This award strengthens our commitment to fostering equitable access to tech entrepreneurship opportunities, especially in pivotal areas like sustainability, biotechnology, and climate tech. With this support, USRIA will continue to strengthen its partnerships with universities and national labs in the Appalachian region, empowering underrepresented innovators to launch startups and develop technologies that address some of the most critical challenges of our time.” says Matt Harbaugh, USRIA Executive Director.

The 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition catalyzes strategic innovation ecosystem building across the country. Over the last decade, SBA has awarded 566 in prizes totaling over $33 million to winners throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories. 2024 GAFC Stage One focused on strengthening ecosystem networks, while Stage Two prizes provide enhanced support to Growth Accelerator Partnerships as they play a crucial role in helping startups and small businesses scale, contributing to the economic growth of our nation. These partnerships span public, private, nonprofit, and academic institutions, fostering collaboration across industries and geographies.

“We are excited to continue to build the Growth Accelerator Partnership we’ve established with Carnegie Mellon University, Marshall University, West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory. These funds will enable us to further expand our efforts within Appalachia, creating more opportunities for underrepresented innovators and accelerating the commercialization of groundbreaking technologies across the region.” says Katie Pettinger, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Growth at USRIA.

Learn more about the Stage One and Stage Two organizations in the 2024 GAFC Public Directory.