About MoFAST services:
Technology development and commercialization...

    ...moving Missouri's innovations to market

About Missouri's Small Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) technical assistance program

MoFAST is a partnership among the U.S. Small Business Administration, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Department of Economic Development and its partners to bring government research and development awards to your small business.

Our staff can help you seek out, apply for and win Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) 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 fiscal year 2007, the SBIR program made approximately $2.5 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 $800 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)

Sample our client success stories

• OsteoGeneX: Kansas City
  drug research and biotech commercialization
• Renewable Alternatives: Columbia
  specializing in the engineering of phase change materials to ensure consistent temperatures
• Nanova Inc.: Columbia
  research on biomaterials, nanonstructured materials, composites and medical devices
• NEMS/MEMS Works LLC: Columbia
  engineering researchers developing early-stage prototypes of nanotechnology

Here's how we'll help!

Our goal is to 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?

1. Read the business requirements.
2. Learn about completing the Missouri SBIR/STTR instructions for project profile forms.
3. Contact a technology business specialist in our network.
4. Become familiar with the MoFAST section of MissouriBusiness.net to access search services, assistance providers, sample proposals and other networks.