Florida High Tech Corridor's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Awards (FL FAST)

Florida High Tech Corridor's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Awards (FL FAST) is sponsored by Florida High Tech Corridor Council (administering federal funds through U.S. Small Business Administration's FAST Partnership Program). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

SBIR/STTR | Florida High Tech Corridor FL FAST — Florida’s Only SBA-Designated SBIR/STTR Support Program The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs distribute $4. 3 billion annually to small businesses doing high-risk, high-reward R&D. The Corridor’s FL FAST initiative provides free coaching, proposal support, and agency matching to help Florida companies secure their share.

Request Free Support How FL FAST Works across 11 federal agencies to Florida small businesses America’s Largest Source of Early-Stage R&D Funding The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are federal programs that award non-dilutive grants and contracts to small businesses doing applied R&D. You keep your equity. You keep your IP.

The government funds the research. 11 participating federal agencies award over 6,000 grants and contracts to small businesses each year — DOD alone accounts for more than $2. 3B of that total.

Unlike venture capital, SBIR/STTR awards do not require equity. Participants retain full company ownership and rights to any intellectual property developed under the award.

Proof of concept or prototype Fund feasibility work before you need investor money Technical staff and experts Hire the specialized talent your project requires University research partnerships Fund collaborative work with UCF, USF, or UF researchers Commercialization runway Bridge the gap between R&D and your first commercial customer Up to $400k · 6–12 months Prove your concept is technically feasible.

The starting point for most first-time applicants — a focused proposal to demonstrate the potential of your technology. $750K – $1. 8M · 24 months Full-scale R&D to develop and commercialize the technology proven in Phase I.

Typically requires a successful Phase I award first. Phase III — Commercialization Bring the product to market through federal contracts, private investment, or licensing.

CORRIDOR MATCHING GRANTS RESEARCH PROGRAM (MGRP) Stack your SBIR/STTR award with up to $150,000 in co-investment If your company is located in the Corridor’s 23-county region and you have an active SBIR/STTR award paired with a UCF or USF research partnership, you may be eligible for the Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP).

The Corridor co-invests directly alongside your company — matching your direct research investment dollar-for-dollar up to $150,000, with funds awarded to the university research team. No funding goes directly to the company.

Rolling applications · No deadline 23-county Corridor region FL FAST — SUPPORT FOR FLORIDA COMPANIES Florida’s Only SBA-Designated SBIR/STTR Support Program FL FAST is the Corridor’s statewide centralized support system for companies pursuing SBIR/STTR awards — the only program of its kind designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration in the state of Florida.

Powered by a FAST Partnership Program grant from the SBA, all services are free to eligible Florida small businesses. We help you identify the right agency solicitations and topics that match your technology — so you’re not applying blind. Our team provides structured proposal strategy feedback before you submit — significantly improving your odds.

We walk you through building a compliant, competitive budget — one of the most common areas where first-time applicants lose points. We help you obtain and structure letters of support from universities, customers, and partners that strengthen your application. We facilitate introductions to UCF, USF, and UF researchers whose expertise aligns with your project’s technical needs.

We keep you informed on solicitations, legislative changes, agency news, and SBIR/STTR opportunities relevant to your sector. SBIR/STTR Webinars for Florida Entrepreneurs All FL FAST training webinars are free, open to any Florida entrepreneur or ecosystem builder, and recorded for on-demand access. Register once using the link below to stay notified of all upcoming sessions.

Register for All Webinar Sessions One registration covers all upcoming sessions · 1:00–2:30pm EST Department of Defense/Department of War SBIR/STTR Overview Join this webinar for an overview of the DoW SBIR components. Gain insight on how to identify the right solicitation for your technology, connect with Technical Points of Contact (TPOC), and influence future topics.

Find out how the government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide $4 billion annually as a source of non-dilutive R&D funding for initial development of your high-risk, innovative idea and proof that it has potential in the marketplace. We will update attendees on the status of SBIR/STTR reauthorization and what it means for your company.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Deep Dive This NSF-specific proposal development workshop is a 3-session intensive that reviews the NSF’s SBIR/STTR proposal process in detail. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, this session will cover how and when to contact program officers, the technical section, team section, commercial section, budgeting and the agency submission website.

Developing Your SBIR/STTR Budget Developing a proper budget for a grant or contract proposal should not be overlooked. A proper budget can be an effective tool in driving the project from start to finish. Be sure not to leave money on the table.

This session will walk through the development of a project budget and justification that the company can afford to pursue this project. National Institute of Health (NIH) SBIR/STTR Overview This webinar will provide a review of NASA’s mission and proposal requirements. Learn what technologies they are looking for, how to plan your project and meet the reviewer’s expectations.

Working with the DOD/DOW and speaking their language The DoW SBIR and STTR programs offer a wide range of opportunities for small firms to address military needs in just about every technology area, from software to training systems, from medical products to air, land and sea platforms.

This webinar will provide a brief look at how SBIR/STTR projects fit into the DoW’s procurement process, and how you can “speak their language” to improve your chances of getting Phase I and Phase II contract awards. Open Every 3rd Thursday · 11:00am–12:00pm EST Drop in with any question about SBIR/STTR: a specific agency, your proposal, eligibility. Open to any Florida entrepreneur, no agenda required.

Upcoming: June 4 · June 25 · July 16 · August 6 · August 27 · September 17, 2026. Register for Office Hours → Florida Companies That Have Won Six Florida companies. Six different industries.

All united by SBIR/STTR funding — and FL FAST support that helped them compete and win. How SBIR funding powered growth for her Central Florida defense tech company — and why she mentors other women entrepreneurs pursuing federal R&D grants. From lab to market with SBIR — and why she joined Cenfluence to help other Florida founders navigate the same path.

Entropy Technology Design Her company builds AI-powered sensors for detecting natural and man-made threats. SBIR funding gave her the runway to get there. Using SBIR to build EdTech tools that make high-tech skills accessible — because the internet should be an equalizer, not a barrier.

Advanced skin and wound care products that help people heal better — brought to market with support from federal SBIR funding. Weaver Gaines & Christine Aytug Developing an earbud that uses vagus nerve stimulation to treat PTSD — a direct nervous system approach funded through SBIR. Request Free SBIR/STTR Support Complete the form below to connect with the FL FAST team.

A program specialist will follow up to understand your company and advise on the best path forward. HOW FL FAST HELPS YOU — STEP BY STEP Complete the interest form. A team member follows up to understand your company and project.

Identify the Right Agency We match your technology to the agency solicitation most likely to result in an award. We support budget development, proposal drafts, and support letters throughout the process. We help with agency follow-up, Phase II planning, and MGRP co-investment eligibility.

SBIR/STTR Support Interest Form Tell us about your company and where you are in the SBIR/STTR process. ✓ One-on-one coaching ✓ Proposal review ✓ Agency matching ✓ Training invitations Open Interest Form → A team member typically follows up within 2–3 business days. Connect with our Program Manager Florida High Tech Corridor · Cenfluence jack.

henkel@floridahightech. com Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. All opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.