SEEDing Biomedical Innovation, NIH Path to Excellence & Innovation Webinar, TABA Needs Assessment Program and Report

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proud to announce that the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) application portal is now open! Learn more about the competition and apply by Friday, February 24, for an opportunity to receive up to $200,000 in cash prizes for strategic ecosystem partnerships with collaborative approaches to support STEM/R&D-focused entrepreneurs and small businesses.

To facilitate relationships between entrepreneur support organizations and potential partners working on similar themes, the SBA is holding a series of mini-convenings each day from February 6-9, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET.

Visit the website and download the full competition guidelines to learn more about the submission requirements and judging criteria.

Phase I grantees may be eligible for a free Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) Needs Assessment Report provided by RTI Innovation Advisors that gives a third-party, unbiased assessment of your project’s progress in four technical and business areas that are critical to success in the competitive healthcare marketplace:

- Market Needs/Competitive Advantage
- Intellectual Property/Barriers to Entry
- Business Model Profitability
- Manufacturing, Regulatory, and/or Clinical Plan

Learn more and submit a request to participate.

If you’re applying for NIH small business (SBIR/STTR) funding, please use FORMS H. Review these application instructions (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/forms-h/sbir-sttr-forms-h.pdf) or reach out to a program manager (https://seed.nih.gov/aboutseed/contact-us/hhs-small-business-program-managers) with questions.

The next application due date is Wednesday, April 5.

I-Corps at NIH is an entrepreneurship training program designed for companies that received Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer funding from NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During this 8-week, hands-on program, you’ll learn how to focus your business plan and get the tools to bring your treatment to the patients who need it most. And there's no cost to you – a $55,000 supplement covers program costs!

Benefits:
Receive training from biotech sector experts
Expand your professional network
Build the confidence and skills to create a comprehensive business model
Applications for the next cohort are due on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., your local time.

The program will run from Wednesday, May 8, through Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Learn more and apply.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the opportunity for a limited number of applicants to participate in a Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) Development and Readiness Pilot (CDRP) program, to facilitate the expedited CMC development of products under an investigational new drug (IND) application, where warranted, based upon the anticipated clinical benefit of earlier patient access to the products. FDA is implementing this pilot program to facilitate CMC readiness for selected Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)- and Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)-regulated products with accelerated clinical development timelines.

Starting April 1, 2023, FDA will accept requests to participate in the CDRP program. Learn more by clicking the link.

If you are an NIH-funded small business (SBIR/STTR) looking to partner or raise money, the SEED Company Showcase program may be for you.

This competitive, impactful program will cover the cost of registration for selected companies to attend various partnering and investing events throughout the year. This program is open to NIH-funded companies whose grants have been active in the past 3 calendar years.

Five new Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH) have the chance to join NIH’s nationwide proof of concept network and receive $1 million per year for four years. Hubs will provide academic innovators with the initial investment to support product validation work and access to local and NIH product development experts to help them accelerate the translation of their scientific discoveries into products that improve health and save lives.

Learn more in the funding opportunity announcement (RFA-OD-23-005). Applications are due on Thursday, February 9, 2023, with projects expected to launch in December 2023.

Phase I Commercialization Support Webinar, NIH-funded innovators in San Francisco this week, MedTech Color Pitch Competition

The MedTech Color Pitch Competition searches for the next generation of African- American and Hispanic founders, who are innovating and diversifying Medtech. African American founders are the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs.

The top winners will receive the following:
First Place - $75,000
Second Place - $50,000
Third Place - $25,000
Community Impact Audience Choice - $5,000

The top finalists will receive the following:
MTC Pitch Bootcamp - a 1-month pre-competition accelerator
Three 1:1 Venture Capital Speed Interview sessions
Eight Business and Innovation Development masterclasses and workshops
One 2-minute Spotlight Interview on the Device Talks Podcast
Qualified for sponsored Special Prize(s), which may include additional cash and in-kind services.
One MTC Professional Membership with access to a private membership portal.

Application closes: Friday, January 13, 2023