SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) is now Open

Now in its 10th year, the competition aims to advance small business research and development (R&D) efforts and to expand and strengthen its national innovation ecosystem while encouraging large entities like universities and research organizations to forge partnerships with small businesses.

“The SBA's 10-year strong Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) strengthens the nation's innovation ecosystem and builds local partnerships critical to ensuring all of America's great ideas can thrive through the vast resources available through the federal government," said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman.

The competition offers $50,000 to $200,000 in prize awards in two stages.

Prizes Awarded in Two Stages

Stage One offers $50,000 in cash prizes awarded to organizations for ecosystem-building activities, including recruitment of new partners, and strengthening existing alliances among stakeholders (including public, private, non-profit, and academic partners). Stage One application portal opens on Jan. 8 for five weeks, and the SBA will award up to $3 million in Stage One prize money by April.

Stage Two of the competition offers an additional $50,000 to $150,000 in cash prizes to eligible Stage One winners to provide direct assistance to entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups that are looking to commercialize their innovation, from R&D to the commercial market. Winners for Stage 2 announced by September.

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