Like many Americans, I love taking road trips this time of year. They’re a great way to see the country and meet folks from all walks of life. That’s why I’m excited to announce the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is participating in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Midwest Road Tour.

 

The SBIR program is one of the ways DHS partners with private sector innovators to develop solutions for pressing homeland security challenges. There are some truly innovative technologies out there that can help DHS accomplish its mission of safeguarding the American public, and SBIR has a proven track record of helping S&T invest in promising technology opportunities.

The Road Tours are an effort to reach out to small businesses in states that haven’t historically participated in the SBIR program and highlight opportunities for us to work together. For S&T, it’s a chance to broaden our technology base and find some exciting new research and development partners.

Road Tour participants will learn about the non-dilutive technology funding opportunity provided through the SBIR program. This program provides small advanced technology firms with funding to spur new technological discoveries and facilitate the commercialization process. It represents America's Largest Seed Fund ($2.2 billion in annual funding), and is an essential tool for ensuring we’re on the cutting-edge of technology research and development.

From July 17-21, 2017, S&T will join other federal SBIR programs to meet with innovators across the Midwest and engage with the small advanced technology community, including women and minority-owned research and development businesses. Every SBIR Road Tour stop represents an important opportunity to meet directly with federal SBIR program managers and understand how your innovative small business can get access to federal acquisition through SBIR.

I hope you’ll come see DHS’s SBIR team at one of the Road Tour stops:

• Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 17
• Madison, Wisconsin on July 18
• Ypsilanti, Michigan on July 19
• Cleveland, Ohio on July 20
• Lexington, Kentucky on July 21

Remember to follow #SBIRRoadTour on S&T’s Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages to follow the conversation, and look for Road Tour stops in other regions of the country coming soon!