Small Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program

Small Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program is sponsored by Florida High Tech Corridor. This program provides assistance to small businesses in Florida, including workshops, one-on-one support, and resources to enhance innovation and growth. It supports collaborative research projects between startups and universities, particularly in high-tech fields like AI.

SBIR/STTR Support | Florida High Tech Corridor The Corridor helps Florida’s small businesses tap into Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) awards, the nation’s largest source of early-stage startup funding for research and development. Each year, 11 participating federal agencies distribute SBIR/STTR awards totaling $4 billion to finance cutting-edge, high-risk technologies.

SBIR/STTR awards are helpful for: Developing a proof of concept or prototype Hiring technical staff or subject-matter experts Purchasing essential materials and equipment Validating potential as a government vendor Funding university research partnerships Unlike traditional venture capital, SBIR/STTR funds are non-dilutive, so participants retain full company ownership, including the rights to intellectual property.

Additionally, companies that are successful in securing SBIR/STTR awards and are engaged in research partnerships with UCF or USF may be eligible for matching funds from The Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program .

FL FAST: Florida’s First Centralized SBIR/STTR Support System for Entrepreneurs Powered by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program , The Corridor’s “FL FAST” initiative is Florida’s first centralized support system for companies pursuing SBIR/STTR awards.

FL FAST serves small businesses statewide with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged small businesses pursuing research and innovation activities in The Corridor’s 23-county region and beyond. Services include in-person and virtual workshops and one-on-one assistance to meet business needs in key areas, such as topical award identification, budget preparation, proposal review, support letters, and research partnerships.

FL FAST also serves as an important resource for entrepreneurial support organizations, sharing resources, events, solicitations, legislative actions, and other information relevant to driving SBIR/STTR outcomes. FL FAST SBIR/STTR Training Events Register for upcoming SBIR/STTR training aimed at improving the knowledge and capabilities of Florida entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders alike.

All sessions are recorded and made available on demand. To access these recordings, you can complete the “SBIR/STTR Support” interest form embedded below. These sessions focus on educational content and best practices to better prepare you for navigating and successfully applying for SBIR/STTR funding.

All sessions run from 1pm-2:30pm EST. CLICK HERE to Register for any of our upcoming webinars. 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. Department of Defense/Department of War SBIR/STTR Overivew 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.

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 winning Phase I and Phase II contract awards.

SBIR/STTR Open Office Hours When: Every 3rd Thursday starting on April 23, 2026 from 11am – 12pm EST Join the FL FAST team for open office hours where you can ask questions about the overall SBIR/STTR process, a specific agency or about your specific proposal. These sessions are open to any Florida entrepreneur and will be an unstructured Q&A format. Bring any questions you have about the SBIR/STTR program.

Request SBIR/STTR Support Please complete the form below to stay up to date with SBIR/STTR support resources available through FL FAST. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. This checklist will help you determine if the SBIR/STTR program is a potential source of funding for your company.

These tips from our Cenfluence team about navigating the SBIR/STTR award process. Hear from entrepreneurs who have successfully leveraged SBIR/STTR to grow their company in Florida.