Small Business Innovation Research

Definition

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is a competitive government grant program that encourages small businesses to engage in research and development (R&D) with the potential for commercialization. The program aims to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal research and development needs, and increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D funding.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SBIR provides funding in three phases: Phase I to explore the feasibility of an idea, Phase II to further develop the idea, and Phase III to commercialize the resulting innovation.
2. The program is administered by 11 federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation, which set aside a portion of their extramural R&D budgets for SBIR grants.
3. SBIR grants are highly competitive, with only about 15-20% of proposals receiving funding, making it an important source of capital for small businesses with innovative ideas.
4. Successful SBIR projects have led to the development of numerous groundbreaking technologies, including cancer treatments, GPS systems, and renewable energy solutions.
5. The SBIR program has been credited with supporting the growth and success of many small businesses, contributing to job creation and economic development in local communities.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program supports entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
  • The SBIR program supports entrepreneurship and small business ownership by providing competitive grants to small businesses to engage in research and development (R&D) with the potential for commercialization. The program aims to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal research and development needs, and increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D funding. By offering funding in three phases, from feasibility exploration to commercialization, the SBIR program helps small businesses with innovative ideas to overcome the financial barriers to bringing new products and services to market, fostering entrepreneurship and the growth of small businesses.
• Describe the role of the SBIR program in shaping trends in small-business ownership and innovation.
  • The SBIR program has had a significant impact on trends in small-business ownership and innovation. By providing a competitive source of funding for small businesses to pursue R&D with commercial potential, the program has helped to encourage and support the growth of innovative startups and small businesses. The program's focus on commercializing new technologies and meeting federal research needs has also helped to shape the types of innovations and business opportunities that emerge in the small-business sector. Additionally, the success of SBIR-funded projects has demonstrated the value of investing in small businesses as drivers of technological progress and economic development, influencing broader trends in small-business ownership and entrepreneurship.
• Analyze how the SBIR program's emphasis on research, development, and commercialization aligns with broader trends in entrepreneurship and small-business ownership.
  • The SBIR program's emphasis on research, development, and commercialization aligns closely with broader trends in entrepreneurship and small-business ownership. Entrepreneurship is often driven by the pursuit of innovative ideas and the willingness to take risks in bringing new products and services to market. The SBIR program supports this entrepreneurial spirit by providing funding and resources to small businesses to engage in R&D and commercialize their innovations. This alignment with the entrepreneurial process, from idea generation to product launch, makes the SBIR program a valuable tool for fostering small-business growth and innovation. Furthermore, the program's focus on meeting federal research needs and increasing private-sector commercialization of innovations reflects the broader trend of small businesses playing a crucial role in driving technological progress and economic development. By supporting small businesses through the SBIR program, the government is actively shaping the landscape of entrepreneurship and small-business ownership in the United States.

Related terms

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): A similar program to SBIR that requires small businesses to partner with non-profit research institutions, such as universities, to receive funding for R&D with commercial potential.

Entrepreneurship:

The process of starting and running a new business, often with innovative ideas and a willingness to take risks.

Commercialization:

The process of bringing a new product or service to the marketplace for commercial sale and profit.