KSTC launches accelerator to prepare small business for DOD contract

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation/Maria Labreveux, PhD) – A new accelerator program, now taking applications, will prepare
Kentucky entrepreneurs to submit ideas to the U.S. Department of Defense for funding.
The Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) recently partnered with OKCatalyst, a national
leader in assisting small businesses with securing Department of Defense innovation awards, to create
the accelerator. Its goals include building Kentucky’s innovation and high-tech business ecosystem and
creating well-paying research and technology jobs that sustain families and communities.
The first-for-Kentucky accelerator program will equip participants to apply for and win contracts through
the Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. Through the SBIR/STTR program, known as America’s Seed Fund, participating federal agencies allocate 3.2% of their external research budgets to companies with fewer than 500 employees in order to meet federal R&D needs and stimulate innovation and commercialization.
The Department of Defense, which typically awards contracts instead of grants, is the nation’s largest
SBIR funding source and currently allocates $1.8 billion to the program. The department’s SBIR programs
not only have the largest budget, but also invest in the most diverse technology portfolio, ranging from
materials to biomedical technologies. The department’s SBIR/STTR programs are also fastest-paced, typically allowing only 10 weeks to prepare a competitive proposal.
“Despite impressive strides in securing non-dilutive federal funding, leveraging that funding and most
importantly helping to launch innovative companies, we do not compete for or capture Department of
Defense funding at the level we believe is possible,” said KSTC’s Maria Labreveux, who runs the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation. “Defense spends more than any other agency on SBIR/STTR
activities, but also contracts with companies to solve a vast array of problems that go far beyond war
making technologies. Kentucky has the talent and resources to be a prime location for meeting these
needs. This accelerator gives Kentucky’s many innovators access to a collaboration between experienced professionals with an award-winning Department of Defense SBIR/STTR strategy.”
The accelerator is now accepting idea submissions at https://www.ksef.kstc.org/dod-accelerator for the
eight-week program. The deadline to submit ideas for consideration is Friday, 23 April, 2021. The accelerator will match participants with one or more topics within their capabilities and interests, provide virtual instruction, templates and resources to help participants write proposals. Participants will also re-
ceive one-on-one counseling, and – when possible – be matched with experts in their area. The accelerator goal is to submit at least ten highly competitive proposals to the June 2021 DOD SBIR/STTR BAA release. The accelerator is free and no prior SBIR experience is required. Anyone interested can schedule a
consultation to learn more about SBIR and what to expect from the accelerator.
In partnering KSTC and OKCatalyst, the accelerator brings together organizations with successful track records of helping companies win federal innovation funding. OKCatalyst, a program of the Tom Love Innovation Hub in Norman, OK, is nationally renowned for preparing companiesto win DOD SBIR awards that
help launch products and grow businesses. OKCatalyst won a 2020 Tibbetts award, the top honor for
companies, organizations and individuals that promote the mission and goals of SBIR/STTR programs.
“We are very excited to launch this transformative Accelerator, with KSTC, to scale Kentucky’s high-tech
startups through DoD’s $1.8B SBIR/STTR program.” – Tom Wavering, Executive Director Tom Love Innovation Hub at the University of Oklahoma.
Founded in 1987 to support the advancement of science, technology and innovative economic development, KSTC is a fast-paced leader with a reputation for developing and managing creative initiatives in
education, economic competitiveness and scientific research. KSTC, a 2006 Tibbetts award winner,
helped Kentucky SBIR/STTR advocacy programs rise from 47th to 27th in the number of awards between
2002 and 2012, a ranking it continues to sustain.
This initiative is supported through a collaboration with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, KY Innovation and KYPTAC.
For more information or to apply https://www.ksef.kstc.org/dod-accelerator.