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The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) America’s Seed Fund 2024 Road Tour is coming to Huntington May 17 as part of a southeastern tour to connect entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding. Also known as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund focuses on next generation research and development (R&D) through 11 participating federal agencies.

The Huntington stop will be hosted by TechConnect West Virginia, a local Federal and State Technology (FAST)partner; the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center; and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. Representatives from participating federal agencies will conduct one-on-one meetings with small businesses and startups, take part in panel discussions, present on SBIR/STTR technology areas and share insights into how agencies make funding decisions.

“TechConnect West Virginia, along with the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, is excited to host such a unique event for entrepreneurs and researchers,” said John Golden, TechConnect West Virginia’s Program Director. “This will be a great way to learn about early-stage funding opportunities available through the federal government for technology-based small businesses.”

Americaʼs Seed Fund Road Tour plays an important role in increasing engagement with entrepreneurial ecosystems across the country and building out greater networks to support small businesses focusing on high-impact research.

Attendees will hear from West Virginia innovators who have received SBIR/STTR funding, including successful first-time awardees and a West Virginia business owner who has secured more than $40 million in federal funding. State partners will highlight resources available to assist with the application process and review proposals.

The May 17 Huntington event will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business & Innovation on the campus of Marshall University. Register for the free event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sbir-road-tour-west-virginia-tickets-828394098047.

America’s Seed Fund is coordinated by SBA and provides more than $4 billion in early-stage funding to small businesses each year across a wide variety of technology areas such as unmanned systems, advanced materials, health, cybersecurity and defense. The program executes more than 6,000 new funding awards annually, which allow innovators to advance new technologies and create thousands of jobs. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund, please visit www.sbir.gov.

For additional information, contact John Golden at (304) 377-8173.