The Federal and State Technology Partnership Program in Missouri (MoFAST)

A program of the Missouri Small Business Development Centers

MoFAST is the state's Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) technical assistance program.

About Us

The Missouri Federal and State Technology Partnership (MoFAST) is a unique partnership among the U.S. Small Business Administration, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension and its partners to bring government research and development awards to your small business!

MoFAST staff can help you seek out, apply for and win government Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) awards that will provide you money to develop and potentially commercialize your innovations.

The SBIR program was initiated in 1982. Under this legislation, any federal agency with an extramural research and development budget of more than $100 million must set aside 2.5% of that budget for SBIR awards. In 2002, the SBIR program made $1.4 billion available for small businesses.

The SBIR program is designed to

1. stimulate technological innovation;
2. partner with small businesses to meet federal research and development needs;
3. encourage the participation of disadvantaged businesses and minority-owned firms in technological innovation; and
4. increase private sector commercialization derived from federal research and development funding.

The program offers small technology-based companies the opportunity to obtain seed capital for research and development early in the innovation process.

Benefit to Missouri

• The federal government has more than $2 billion available each year in awards from federal agencies.
• Awards to Missouri keep the technology and the proceeds from its commercialization in our state.

Services

• Technical assistance (monitoring agencies for potential funding opportunities and facilitating agency relationships)
• Business and marketing support
• Assistance with proposal preparation

Goals

• Stimulate technological innovation and transfer
• Help Missouri businesses and researchers win more SBIR and STTR awards
• Bring Missouri up in the rankings of award winners (increase applications and awards 20 percent each year)

Outcomes to Date

• More than 427 clients since January 2002
• More than 2,500 counseling hours in 869 client sessions since January 2002
• Since the program began in 2002, MoFAST staff have played a role in the submission of 130 proposals and 38 awards.
• In 2002 Missourians received 40 awards, compared with a pre-MoFAST total of 16 awards and a state ranking of 46th in 2001.
• The 2002 totals resulted in the infusion of $8,073,463 federal dollars into Missouri entrepreneurial high-technology start-up companies.
• Up to the third quarter of 2003, Missourians have already received another 45 awards, bringing an additional $6,999,437 dollars to the state through SBIR/STTR grants. Only 30 percent of the states receive more than 50 awards per year, and Missouri is now poised to enter that select group.

Success Story

• KC-Area Neurobiologist Works to Develop and Commercialize Osteoporosis Drug

Here's how we'll help!

The goal of MoFAST is help Missouri companies become aware of the SBIR/STTR program, assist in preparing successful proposals, implement Phase II technical/business proposal assistance program, and assist in Phase II management and commercialization. Seasoned business specialists provide these services with specific expertise in SBIR programs, business assistance and development, corporate management and federal procurement procedures.

How can I get started?
Register to the Gateway to Success to access search services, assistance providers, information, sample proposals, and other networks.