The following message was sent via email from UW–Madison VCRGE Grants on Sept. 17.

EDA has released the FY24 NOFO for the Build to Scale (B2S) program with a very short timeline for submission and limits the number of applications to 1 per institution. Applications are due to EDA by October 28, 2024.  

INTERNAL DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 25

The Build to Scale (B2) program supports organizations that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems to support entrepreneurs as they build and scale technology-driven businesses—and the employees in the new, good jobs they create—to make and deliver new technology products and services.

Build to Scale (B2S) grants fund programs that support innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups transforming ideas into the critical, emerging technologies of the future.

The Build to Scale program aims to:

• build capacity for entrepreneurs and innovators to invent, improve, and bring to market new technology products and services;
• accelerate the growth of regional economies focused on industries of the future;
• empower communities to enable technology innovators and entrepreneurs to pilot and test their products and services; and
• equitably and inclusively increase access to capital for technology-enabled entrepreneurs.

Awards made under Build to Scale may only fund operational and programmatic costs related to developing and supporting regional innovation initiatives. Award funds may not be passed or transferred directly to beneficiaries (i.e., participant startup companies and individuals) served by the program being funded by award funds, but recipients may use award funds to facilitate access to equipment, facilities, expertise, or other resources critical to commercializing technologies via an objective, unbiased process.

We ask that interested PIs submit the following information for internal review:

1. Title
2. PI name and department
3. Names and affiliation of co-PIs, if applicable
4. 1-2 page summary of proposed effort

Please share this information among PIs in your unit who are working in relevant research areas.  Interested PIs should submit a single PDF with the requested information to grants@research.wisc.edu by Wednesday, September 25.

Questions? Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.