Sierra Accelerator for Growth & Entrepreneurship (SAGE) South

Sierra Accelerator for Growth & Entrepreneurship (SAGE) South is sponsored by University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Assists technology entrepreneurs in determining eligibility for SBIR-STTR programs, finding appropriate research grant opportunities, and navigating the government grant process.

SAGE South | Office of Economic Development | UNLV close Economic Development menu Office of Economic Development Home Companies and Communities Harry Reid Research and Technology Park Nevada Small Business Development Center at UNLV Entrepreneurs in Residence Program Major IT service outages April 7-10 Colleges, Schools, and Departments Research Centers and Institutes Helping technology entrepreneurs win competitive grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs The Sierra Accelerator for Growth & Entrepreneurship (SAGE) South works with inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs to: determine if an idea or business qualifies for the SBIR-STTR programs, find appropriate and available SBIR-STTR research grant opportunities, navigate the complex world of the government grant process, and help write the best possible proposal.

SAGE is a statewide partnership offered through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno, and APIO Innovation Transfer (APIOiX). SAGE is funded by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). If you are located in Northern Nevada, please visit our partner institution’s SAGE portal to submit your business idea.

How does SAGE South work? SAGE South is open to all Nevada for-profit technology-based small businesses (fewer than 500 employees). Faculty or community entrepreneurs bring their business concepts to the SAGE team.

Initial discussions determine to which agency to apply, map a strategy and even determine whether the business concept is ready for an SBIR or STTR proposal. If the decision is made to go forward with an application, SAGE can assist with proposal writing and navigating the federal grant registration system.

SBIR/STTR program overview Known as America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) program is the nation’s largest source of early-stage/high-risk funding for startups and small businesses. The awards are available to qualified U.S. for-profit small businesses .

The programs provide funding for some of the best early-stage innovation ideas that are still too high-risk for private investors and venture capitalists. SBIR/STTR awards support high-tech research and development that can strengthen the economy and help the United States stay at the forefront of innovation.

A requirement of the STTR program is the partnership between the qualified small business and a nonprofit research institution or university such as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno. STTR’s most important role is to bridge the gap between the basic sciences and commercialization.

Join us each semester for a week of workshops designed to help inventors, innovators, entrepreneurs – students, faculty, and community members – learn how to launch and fund technology-based startups. Workshops may be held virtually during campus alternative operations. SAGE South offers a variety of workshops and webinars, as well as individual consulting and mentoring.

There is a difference between traditional awards such as R01s and SBIR/STTR programs – the expected outcomes under SBIR/STTR awards have to lead to commercial application. Depending on the agency, SBIR/STTR programs can award from $100,000 to $300,000 for a Phase I project, with Phase II awards being typically $750,000 or more.

A successful SBIR/STTR application requires an understanding of how to do market research, assess the market need for your idea, and the development of a commercialization plan. SBIR/STTR awards provide non-dilutive funding thereby increasing the value of your company. SBIR/STTR online tutorials No upcoming events listed at this time.

No upcoming events at this time. Check back soon! Submit your business idea Tell us about your business or innovation and a little about yourself to get started with our program Learn about options for grant funding Get an overview of phased and fast-track grant funding and amounts awarded by different agencies.

Phased and fast-track funding Phase I programs generally provide six months of funding for proof of concept research or research & development (depending on agency). Typical funding range is $100,000 to $300,000 depending on agency and topic. For a complete list of all currently open solicitations, including special calls for research topics, visit the SBIR open solicitations list .

Phase II programs generally provide 24 months of funding to bring the concept to the brink of commercialization. Typical funding range is $400,000 to $1,000,000 depending on agency and topic. Phase II applications can generally only be made after successful completion of Phase I.

In some cases, Phase II funding is only available by invitation from the Phase I funding agency. Fast-track is a combined Phase I and Phase II award. NIH is the primary agency offering a fast-track option.

NSF does not offer fast-track. For other agencies, please check their annual program announcement and/or solicitations. Fast-tracks require more effort upfront but can result in guaranteed, milestone-based funding of $1 million or more over a multi-year period.

TABA-DTA is Technical and Business Assistance, also referred to as Discretionary Technical Assistance depending on agency. For more on this, see the following About TABA-DTA section.

Phase I, II and TABA-DTA funding by agency (updated 1/19/2020) Department of Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) Department of Education (IES) Dept of Homeland Security *Depending on solicitation Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding was introduced 2019, as part of the McCain National Defense Authorization Act.

Previously called “Discretionary Technical Assistance” or “Direct Technical Assistance” (DTA), the success of these programs led to legislation funding broader adoption, as well as a renaming. Some agencies have a dedicated TABA provider, but an increasing number of agencies allow SBIR-STTR recipients to select their own TABA provider. SAGE is a qualified TABA provider.

In some cases, TABA provides funds above and beyond funding limits. In other cases, TABA must be budgeted into the funding limits. There is currently no uniformity across agencies.

Read the program solicitations carefully to determine if TABA is available and the conditions for it. Yes. But SAGE can help.

We know the system and can work with you to maximize available funding. Our partners provide many great services for entrepreneurs such as education, consulting and market research. U.S. Small Business Administration Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream.

The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. Nevada Small Business Development Center Nevada SBDC guides and assists Nevadans looking to start and grow businesses, with objectives to increase business starts, create and retain jobs, and increase access to capital.

One-on-one counseling services are free and confidential. Nevada SBDC also offers and coordinates a wide range of workshops and courses in collaboration with public and private entities. Nevada Procurement Assistance & Outreach Many businesses consider the idea of selling their services and/or products to the government much too complicated and overwhelming.

In today’s marketplace, the government could become your best customer. The Nevada PTAC, POP helps simplify the process and cut through the red tape, connecting Nevada businesses with lucrative opportunities.

Learn more about Nevada PTAC, POP Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) was created in 2011to promote a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable economy with high-paying jobs for Nevadans.

GOED’s objectives are to establish a cohesive economic development operating system, increase opportunity through education and workforce development, catalyze innovation in core and emerging industries, advance targeted sectors and opportunities in the region, and expand global engagement.

University of Nevada, Reno Enterprise & Innovation Enterprise & Innovation, through its Innovation Center, Nevada Center for Applied Research, Nevada Industry Excellence, and Enterprise and Commercialization teams, promotes research, discovery, innovation and entrepreneurial activities at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Our teams expedite the movement of the University’s innovations to the private sector to benefit society and maximize the impact of university research. Enterprise & Innovation supports and facilitates economic growth and development in northern Nevada.

Visit University of Nevada, Reno Enterprise & Innovation The Sierra Accelerator for Growth & Entrepreneurship (SAGE) South creates opportunity for tech entrepreneurs in Southern Nevada, providing expertise to help companies secure funding from the U.S. small business innovation research grant programs.

SAGE South is a public-private partnership offered through the University of Las Vegas, Nevada Office of Economic Development and the University of Nevada, Reno Enterprise & Innovation . SAGE South provides training, webinars, and one-on-one assistance for SBIR/STTR proposals. Email : innovation@unlv.

edu UNLV Office of Economic Development Phone : 702-895-5200 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Senior Associate Vice President for Economic Development University of Nevada, Reno