Research Triangle Park, NC - May 18, 2022 - On April 20-21 2022, First Flight Venture Center, a science/technology incubator for science-focused companies, hosted its third annual U.S Small Business Administration Federal and State Technology (FAST) “SBIR grant-readiness” Boot Camp. A cohort of 35 companies seeking to submit Phase I SBIR grants to a range of federal agencies received comprehensive grant writing training from expert Eva Garland Consulting (EGC), scientific consultants. The cohort also received business mentoring and advice from investors, serial entrepreneurs, and innovation stakeholders. Additionally, SBIR Program Managers from the Army and other Department of Defense (DoD) departments, revealed insights into obtaining funding from the DoD and a panel of angel to venture capital investors shed light on keys to funding success in their arenas.

At the conclusion of the 2-day Boot Camp, First Flight President, Krista Covey, announced the companies that will receive additional grant writing assistance from EGC coaches. FAST PLUS winners were awarded from 5-10 extra hours of help and 6 companies will receive a fully written Phase I SBIR grant through First Flight’s “LiftOff” program. LiftOff participants receive a strategic funding plan and significantly subsidized Phase I grant support.

“We are so proud of our 2022 FAST Cohort, in particular our FAST LiftOff and FAST PLUS Awardees,’ said First Flight President, Krista Covey. ‘These companies embody the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that the FAST Program seeks to reward, and we are delighted that they are now part of the First Flight community. We are cheering them on to submit a competitive Phase I SBIR/STTR grant and receive an SBIR Phase I award 2022!”

The science and technology associated with the FAST LiftOff and FAST PLUS companies include solving problems that; optimize microbial genes simultaneously with faster turnaround times than current methods, preserve heart tissue following heart attacks, track real-time climate and environmental data to allow farmers to best manage labor, pesticides and water, use a medical device to remove gelatinous and other materials from the body, providing a less invasive surgery for patients, and provide a novel approach to use AI to score the safety and capabilities of other intelligent systems.

Boot Camp cohort companies receiving a strategic funding plan and Phase I grant support through 2022 FAST LiftOff are;

BioEphx
Teen Health Research
Armada IQ
MyoMech
TBD (associated with Duke University)
NewCo

Boot Camp cohort companies receiving Phase I grant writing support through 2022 FAST PLUS are:

For more information about First Flight’s FAST Program, including upcoming events and programs, visit https://www.ffvcnc.org/202122-fast-program or email Bridget McMinn at bmcminn@ffvcnc.org.

About First Flight Venture Center

First Flight Venture Center is a high-science, high-impact science-focused business incubator located in the heart of Research Triangle Park, NC. Established in 1991, First Flight has hosted more than 400 plus science-focused companies, providing strategic education, tailored resources, guidance, business connections and office/lab space in a 25,000 sq.ft. facility. First Flight has launched businesses that have commercialized important new science breakthroughs and disruptive technologies, while creating thousands of jobs in North Carolina. For more information, visit http://ffvcnc.org or view First Flight video.

Science-focused Startups Awarded Grant-writing Support