Applications Due June 3 for Small Business Funding Competition
The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) announce a third round of the Growth Accelerator Fund competition. These
competitions are held to ensure that a diverse set of entrepreneurs from all
walks of life have the opportunity to participate in our innovation economy.
Winners of the contest will receive $50,000 prizes to support their
accelerator. Funding will be available to support new and existing life science
and health focused small business incubators, including those supporting
businesses developing new alternatives to animal testing. Special consideration
will be given to accelerators that support women-owned and/or minority-owned
small businesses.
The competition is managed by SBA. Judges will give particular attention to
applicants that fill geographic, industry, and economic gaps in the accelerator
and entrepreneurial ecosystem space (ie: fewer conventional sources of capital
like venture capital and other investors). The winners of this year's contest
must demonstrate the ability to raise (or have plans to raise) a 4 to 1 match
(1 to 1 for Native American accelerators) of prizes awarded. This match can be
in the form of cash, in-kind donations, or sponsorships.
Applications are due June
3<https://gaf2014.wufoo.com/forms/2016-sba-growth-accelerator-fund-application/>.
More information about the Growth Accelerator Fund competitions is on the SBA
website<https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ooi/spotlight>.
