FL FAST — Florida’s Only SBA-Designated SBIR/STTR Support Program

Federal R&D Funding.
Free Support to Get It.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs distribute $4.3 billion annually to small businesses doing high-risk, high-reward R&D. The Corridor’s FL FAST initiative provides free coaching, proposal support, and agency matching to help Florida companies secure their share.

Join our NewsletterHow FL FAST Works
$4.3B
Available annually
across 11 federal agencies
$70M+
Secured BY FL companies
through FL FAST support
725+
Clients served
statewide
FREE
All FL FAST services
to Florida small businesses
WHAT IS SBIR/STTR?

America’s Largest Source of Early-Stage R&D Funding

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are federal programs that award non-dilutive grants and contracts to small businesses doing applied R&D. You keep your equity. You keep your IP. The government funds the research.
$4.3B

Distributed Annually

11 participating federal agencies award over 6,000 grants and contracts to small businesses each year — DOD alone accounts for more than $2.3B of that total.

Non-Dilutive

You Keep Everything

Unlike venture capital, SBIR/STTR awards do not require equity. Participants retain full company ownership and rights to any intellectual property developed under the award.

WHAT SBIR/STTR FUNDS

Proof of concept or prototypeFund feasibility work before you need investor money
Technical staff and expertsHire the specialized talent your project requires                                                        
University research partnershipsFund collaborative work with UCF, USF, or UF researchers
Commercialization runwayBridge the gap between R&D and your first commercial customer

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

I
Phase I — Feasibility
Up to $400k · 6–12 months

Prove your concept is technically feasible. The starting point for most first-time applicants — a focused proposal to demonstrate the potential of your technology.

II
Phase II — Development
$750K – $1.8M · 24 months

Full-scale R&D to develop and commercialize the technology proven in Phase I. Typically requires a successful Phase I award first.

III
Phase III — Commercialization
No federal funds

Bring the product to market through federal contracts, private investment, or licensing.                                                                                                                                      

CORRIDOR MATCHING GRANTS RESEARCH PROGRAM (MGRP)

Stack your SBIR/STTR award with up to $150,000 in co-investment

If your company is located in the Corridor’s 23-county region and you have an active SBIR/STTR award paired with a UCF or USF research partnership, you may be eligible for the Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP).

The Corridor co-invests directly alongside your company — matching your direct research investment dollar-for-dollar up to $150,000, with funds awarded to the university research team. No funding goes directly to the company.

Learn about MGRP →

Rolling applications · No deadline
23-county Corridor region

FL FAST — SUPPORT FOR FLORIDA COMPANIES

Florida’s Only SBA-Designated SBIR/STTR Support Program

FL FAST is the Corridor’s statewide centralized support system for companies pursuing SBIR/STTR awards — the only program of its kind designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration in the state of Florida. Powered by a FAST Partnership Program grant from the SBA, all services are free to eligible Florida small businesses.

WHAT FL FAST PROVIDES

Topic Identification

We help you understand the differences between agency solicitations and topics that match your technology — so you’re not applying blind.

Training Webinars

Our team provides training webinars featuring SBIR/STTR experts.

Proposal Resources

We share a range of proposal resources so you can be better prepared for your proposal to any agency.

Support Letters

We help you obtain and structure letters of support from universities, customers, and partners that strengthen your application.

University Connections

We facilitate introductions to UCF, USF, and UF researchers whose expertise aligns with your project’s technical needs.

Ecosystem Resources

We keep you informed on solicitations, legislative changes, agency news, and SBIR/STTR opportunities relevant to your sector.

WEBINARS

SBIR/STTR Webinars for Florida Entrepreneurs

All FL FAST training webinars are free, open to any Florida entrepreneur or ecosystem builder, and recorded for on-demand access.

Stay tuned!  We will be announcing our FY27 webinars shortly.

OFFICE HOURS

Drop in with any question about SBIR/STTR: a specific agency, your proposal, eligibility. Open to any Florida entrepreneur, no agenda required.

Choose from the sessions that match your interest:

  • General Topic: Covers any SBIR/STTR related topic and any agency
  • Agency Specific: Join a Dept. of War, National Science Foundation or National Institute of Health session if you are working on a proposal or have agency specific questions.

Register for Office Hour Sessions

Click to register for sessions in the list below

Register for Office Hours →

SUCCESS STORIES

Florida Companies That Have Won

Six Florida companies. Six different industries. All united by SBIR/STTR funding — and FL FAST support that helped them compete and win.
SIMETRI
Angela Alban
How SBIR funding powered growth for her Central Florida defense tech company — and why she mentors other women entrepreneurs pursuing federal R&D grants.
Kismet Technologies
Christina Drake, Ph.D.
From lab to market with SBIR — and why she joined Cenfluence to help other Florida founders navigate the same path.
Entropy Technology Design
Tami Fitzpatrick
Her company builds AI-powered sensors for detecting natural and man-made threats. SBIR funding gave her the runway to get there.
Codecraft® Works
Shannon Landon
Using SBIR to build EdTech tools that make high-tech skills accessible — because the internet should be an equalizer, not a barrier.
Kericure Medical
Dr. Kerriann Greenhalgh
Advanced skin and wound care products that help people heal better — brought to market with support from federal SBIR funding.
Evren Technologies
Weaver Gaines & Christine Aytug
Developing an earbud that uses vagus nerve stimulation to treat PTSD — a direct nervous system approach funded through SBIR.

GET STARTED

Connect to stay up to date on SBIR/STTR Resources from FL FAST

Complete the form below to join our list and be notified when new events are resources are available. 

FL FAST Contact Form

Tell us about your company and where you are in the SBIR/STTR process.

✓ Proposal Resources ✓ Office Hours ✓ Understanding Agency Differences ✓ Expert Speakers
Open Contact Form →

Connect with our Program Manager

JH
Jack Henkel
FL FAST Program Manager
Florida High Tech Corridor · Cenfluence
jack.henkel@floridahightech.com

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. All opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.