The START Program is a $6 million fund run by MassVentures that provides funding and support to commercialize technologies developed through Phase II SBIR contracts. It aims to help companies generate patents, build prototypes, conduct market research, and develop business plans to prime them for commercialization and growth. Eligible companies that receive Stage I grants can qualify for additional Stage II funding, and the top two companies each year will receive $500,000 investments to support their growth potential. The program emphasizes activities essential for successful commercialization and leveraging federal SBIR dollars to create high-growth Massachusetts companies.

1. MassVentures SBIR
Targeted Technologies
“START” Program
February 25, 2013
Revision 2

2. START Program Overview
Overview:
A $6 million fund to support the commercialization of technologies
developed under Phase II SBIR contracts
Goals:
v Taking technologies developed under SBIR and priming them for
commercialization
§ Generate patents
§ Build prototypes
§ Perform market research
§ Write fundable business plans
v Create fast growing MA companies by providing funding as well as
coaching, business planning and introductions to potential investors
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3. Supporting the Innovation Economy
v START
is
focused
on
ac,vi,es
essen,al
to
successful
commercializa,on,
to
help
support
promising
MA
companies
looking
to
grow
and
stay
here
in
the
Commonwealth
v State
support
of
the
innova,on
ecosystem
v Leveraging
federal
dollars
into
high
growth
companies
moving
towards
the
private
sector
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4. The Importance of SBIRs to the State
Massachusetts has long been a national leader
in SBIR grants and dollars received
• 2nd in the nation in dollars received
• 1st in dollars received per capita
• $3.8 billion in commercial sales of SBIR technologies
generated to date
• MA has consistently been awarded nearly 13% of all
SBIRs
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5. SBIR Success Stories
Company
Technology
A123
Battery manufacturer
Agiltron
Optical components manufacturer
Foster-Miller
Military robot manufacturer
Giner
Electrolyzer manufacturer
Inflexxion
Healthcare software developer
iRobot
Consumer and defense robotics manufacturer
Physical Sciences
Medical and environmental sensors
Radiation Monitoring
Radiation detection equipment
Symantec
Security software manufacturer
Triton
Advanced materials developer
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6. START Program Details
3 Stages over 3 years
v $100,000 each to 10 Massachusetts applicants that
have won Phase II SBIR contracts
v Based on progress demonstrated over the first year,
an additional Stage II grant of up to $200,000 will be
awarded to the five most promising companies
v At the end of the second year, two companies will be
chosen for a $500,000 investment based on their
potential for growth and profitability
v This process is renewed yearly!
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7. Eligibility
v Massachusetts based companies that have received
Phase II funding within the last 3 years
v The company must demonstrate a significant,
addressable market for its technology
v Well planned use of proceeds that will take company
to commercialization
v Life sciences and energy/clean-tech will not be
considered under START as other Massachusetts
programs support them.
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8. Key Dates for 2012
Event
Date
RFP Release
March 27, 2012
Application deadline
Friday, April 27, 2012, 12:00pm est
Presentations by selected Thursday, May 24, 2012
applicants to START review board
Stage 1 agreements signed
Friday, June 15, 2012
Stage 1 winners announced
Thursday, June 28, 2012
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9. Summary
v The State and MassVentures are committed to
fueling the innovation economy in the
Commonwealth
v MassVentures has a strong track record of helping
companies grow and achieve profitability
v A unique program to address Massachusetts’
unique situation
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