SBA FAST Awardees to support technology-based businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted 16 organizations up to $125,000 each and five organizations up to $200,000 in FY 2017 as part of the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. FAST funds help organizations provide outreach and technical assistance to technology-based businesses, with a particular emphasis on broadening participation among underrepresented groups. The organizations – which include state and local economic development entities, small business development centers, and universities – will use the awards to support R&D commercialization and small business innovation through the SBIR and STTR programs. SSTI members receiving FAST Awards include: Oregon BEST, the Ben Franklin Technology Partnership, Launch Tennessee, the University of North Dakota Center for Innovation, the Iowa Innovation Corporation, and the University of Wyoming.