Most entrepreneurs are probably familiar with the Small Business Administration (SBA), a federal agency that supports small business growth by increasing access to capital.

And those who are a little more in the know may realize that the Small Business Development Centers of Northern California (SBDC) provide free consulting and training for small businesses and are jointly sponsored by the city, state, and the SBA.

Less familiar names include Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) grants.

To educate the public on these types of grants, the SBDC offered a local workshop by Chuck Eason, a SBIR/STTR grant advisor for the Tech Futures Group (TFG). TFG is part of the SBDC network that focuses on specialized advisory services for technology companies.

The SBIR/SBTT program brands itself as “America’s Seed Fund.” Managed by the SBA, its goal is to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship. Every year, 11 federal agencies participate in the program, and approximately $3 billion dollars are awarded in government grants and contracts. While an individual can apply for a SBIR/SBTT grant, it is advisable to work with the TFG to take advantage of their experience applying for and receiving grant awards. Click below for a PowerPoint presentation of the SBIR/SBTT program.

Presentation on SBIRSBTT

Join us for the next SBDC workshop in Fremont on November 17. “Makers Night” will feature a mixer and a panel of local entrepreneurs, and will celebrate local artisan producers and small manufacturers. Sign up here.