Nine small businesses in Wisconsin will receive up to $800,000 to commercialize their innovations including a business based in Wittenberg.
The state matching grant program provides assistance to companies in the process of completing a project in the federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer programs. This is the 24th round of SBIR Advance funding since the collaboration by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Center for Technology Commercialization began in 2014.
Over the past decade 183 awards totaling over $15.5 million have been awarded. Those businesses reported obtaining $80 million in follow on funding since receiving the SBIR Advance matching grants.
Sativa Building Systems, Inc of Wittenberg manufactures proprietary hempcrete block panels for safe and sustainable building construction. Benefits of Sativa’s sustainable, patented Z Panel structures include passive air filtration, resistance to mold, pests, rot, and fire. The company is a Phase 2 recipient eligible for up to $100,000.
The U.S. government created SBIR/STTR programs to stimulate domestic high-tech innovation, budgeting over $4 billion in federal research funding annually. Because those funds cannot be used for commercialization activities, the SBIR Advance program fills the gap. Funds can be used to pursue market research, customer validation, intellectual property work or other areas that speed commercialization.
SBIR Advance grant recipients receive CTC staff support available throughout the commercialization process, including Lean Startup training, business plan review and other consulting.
“We funded four Phase I teams and five Phase II teams for the most recent round of SBIR Advance grants,” said Rob Baranowski, SBIR Advance Program Manager. “We have a diverse group of companies that have received funding from the NIH, the NSF, the Army, and the Department of Energy. We have made a concerted effort to increase the number of contracts awarded to our state, and we are always pleased to see our efforts pay off with more of these contracts being awarded to Wisconsin small businesses.”
The Phase 1 recipients, each receiving up to $75,000 match, are:
- Atrility Medical of Madison enhances post-operative cardiac care by providing clinicians with more accurate, real-time monitoring of cardiac signals through our innovative AtriAmp device and accompanying software solutions.
- Cadens, LLC of Sullivan is a startup positioned to revolutionize the renewable energy industry through its unique combination of automated maintenance and renewable energy generation, which appeals to utilities and industries reliant on water for operations.
- Morel Energy LLC of Delafield created their PowerLink microgrid solution which plugs into a standard electric vehicle DC fast charging port and converts the excess energy available in battery all-electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fuel cell electric (FCEV) work trucks to provide emissions-free AC power to off grid jobsites without disrupting driving needs; and
- Stem Pharm of Madison is a drug discovery company that focuses on diseases related to inflammation in the brain. They are working on creating small molecule drugs to treat Alzheimer’s Disease and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy utilizing its 3D human neural organoid platform.
The Phase 2 recipients (in addition to Sative Building Systems)each receiving up to $100,000 match, are:
- GoDX, Inc of Madison is developing rapid tests that detect gut bugs and which antibiotics they are resistant to. These tests will help guide treatment with more effective drugs so the patient will get better faster.
- ImgGyd LLC of Middleton is a startup company focusing on hardware and software for image-guided neurosurgery. Their central product, AccuGyd, is an innovative guidance device for accurate placement of a device or a drug to a specific location within the brain.
- Immuto Scientific of Madison is a platform biotech company developing industry-leading technologies that enable the discovery and development of novel, highly specific biotherapeutics against challenging targets.
- Medical Cyberworlds, Inc of Verona developed theMPathic platform which enhances emotional intelligence by engaging learners with simulated humans who recognize and respond to users’ emotions. This innovative approach integrates instructional design, computer vision, and AI.
For more details on the SBIR Advance program, visit wisconsinctc.org/sbiradvance or e-mail ctc@lists.wisconsin.edu. The next solicitation is expected to open in late summer.
