UNHInnovation, part of the University of New Hampshire (UNH), is proud to announce its success in securing a fourth round of funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This funding, awarded under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, strengthens UNHInnovation's commitment to developing an innovation ecosystem to support small businesses and startups in New Hampshire, particularly those focused on research and development.
Continued Support for Small Businesses
With this fourth year of funding from the SBA, UNHInnovation’s FOSTER (Focused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Equity and Results) program will continue to support small businesses engaged in research and innovation. UNHInnovation will leverage this opportunity to enhance our efforts in providing specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance to small businesses. The FAST Partnership Program aims to fortify the competitiveness of these enterprises, allowing them to leverage the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, competitive grants provided by the Federal Government.
Previous Success and Future Endeavors
As one of the 44 grant awardees nationwide, UNHInnovation is dedicated to fostering innovation and economic growth in the state. This renewed funding allows us to build on the FOSTER program, established and enhanced with prior awards in 2020 - 2022. This program, initiated with the support of the first round of FAST funding, provides crucial education, training, and grant proposal assistance to small businesses in New Hampshire.
Impactful Collaboration and Ambassador Network
A key factor in the success of the FOSTER program has been its collaborative approach. UNHInnovation's Ambassador Network, comprised of partner organizations across New Hampshire, has played a vital role in state-wide engagement. This network has been instrumental in identifying and supporting potential participants, with a focus on women-owned, rural-based, and socially-economically disadvantaged businesses.
As we launch our fourth year of training, UNHInnovation will expand our support of small businesses by partnering with the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Business Analytics.
“As we continue to build on our efforts from the past three years, we are thrilled to partner with the UNH Center for Business Analytics to provide additional support to businesses in the FOSTER Program,” said Marc Eichenberger, Associate Vice President and Chief Business Development and Innovation Officer. “We look forward to expanding our impact throughout the state.”
About FAST and SBIR/STTR
The FAST Partnership Program supports entities across all 50 states to elevate and expand the ecosystem supporting technology entrepreneurs. Its primary goal is to empower entrepreneurs who have traditionally been left out of federal R&D programs.
The SBIR/STTR programs, coordinated by the SBA, play a vital role in providing early-stage seed capital to small businesses.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration, serving as the go-to resource for small businesses, empowers entrepreneurs and business owners with the resources needed to start, grow, and recover. With an extensive network of field offices and partnerships, the SBA plays a pivotal role in supporting America’s small business ownership.
UNHInnovation's continued success in securing FAST funding exemplifies its commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth in New Hampshire. This renewed funding will ensure that we can continue to grow an innovation ecosystem in New Hampshire through increased support, training, and opportunities for small businesses in the state.
Learn more about the FOSTER program and view our upcoming workshops
