Oregon Entrepreneurs Network secures ~$172K grant. Well, that was FAST.

Chasing federal research dollars is a slog. Worth it. I mean, SBIR and STTR money is nondilutive. So you get capital without giving up ownership in your company. But a slog nonetheless. And most Oregon founders need somebody to walk them through it. Back in the day, we used to rely on Oregon BEST and VertueLab. But since that organization no longer has a significant local footprint, that’s been a gap in the community. So I’m happy to report that the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network has been awarded nearly $172,000 through the SBA’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. Plus nearly $130,000 in matching funds from Business Oregon on top of that. For a total project budget of more than $301,000.

Through FAST, OEN will provide outreach, training, technical assistance, mentorship, and other resources to help Oregon entrepreneurs pursue Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. The program aims to increase the number of Oregon companies applying for and receiving federal research and development funding while preparing participants for commercialization success. OEN will work with partners across the state, including research universities, Oregon’s Centers of Innovation Excellence, and regional economic development organizations, to reach innovators in both urban and rural communities.

Business Oregon selected OEN as the state’s designated FAST applicant through its SBIR Support Program, FAST Match, and is providing the required match. Governor Tina Kotek endorsed the federal application.

“SBIR and STTR funding can be a critical source of nondilutive capital for entrepreneurs developing innovative technologies, but navigating the federal funding process can be challenging,” said Cara Turano, President and Executive Director of OEN. “This grant gives OEN an opportunity to help more Oregon entrepreneurs understand the process, strengthen their proposals, connect with the right resources, and move their technologies closer to market.”

OEN starts delivering FAST supported programming this fall.

For more information, read the announcement from OEN.