SBAʼs Americaʼs Seed Fund Road Tour is coming to Columbia

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The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) America’s Seed Fund 2024 Road Tour is coming to Columbia on May 13 as part of a four-stop tour that will connect entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding. Also known as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, America’s Seed Fund focuses on next generation research and development (R&D) through 11 participating federal agencies.

The Columbia stop will be hosted by the University of South Carolina Office of Economic Engagement, a local Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partner. Representatives from the participating federal agencies will conduct one-on-one meetings with small businesses and startups, take part in panel discussions, present on SBIR/STTR technology areas, and share insights into how agencies make funding decisions. To register, search “America’s Seed Fund” in Columbia, S.C. on Eventbrite or visit americasseedfund.us/2024-road-tour-southeast.

“In hosting the SBA’s America’s Seed Fund 2024 Road Tour, the University of South Carolina Office of Economic Engagement is proud to foster connections between visionary entrepreneurs and the vital early-stage funding resources available through the SBIR/STTR programs,” said Dr. Stephen Cutler, USC’s Vice President of Economic Development. “This event underscores our commitment to cultivating innovation and driving economic growth within the Midlands region and throughout South Carolina.”

Americaʼs Seed Fund Road Tour plays an important role in increasing engagement with entrepreneurial ecosystems across the country and building out greater networks to support the small businesses focusing on high-impact research.

Americaʼs Seed Fund is coordinated by SBA and provides over $4 billion in early-stage funding to small businesses each year in a wide variety of technology areas such as unmanned systems, advanced materials, health, cybersecurity and defense. The program executes over 6,000 new funding awards annually, which allow innovators to advance new technologies and have contributed to the creation of thousands of jobs.

Small technology firms, innovators, scientists or researchers seeking more information on Americaʼs Seed Fund Road Tour, including a schedule of the 2024 Road Tour: Southeast stops and participating agencies should visit: https://www.americasseedfund.us/road-tour

For more information about Americaʼs Seed Fund, please visit www.sbir.gov.