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microAward Company Highlights
The Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation (KSEF) is pleased to announce the success of its inaugural microAward program. The microAward program is intended to assist Kentucky-based small-businesses that anticipate expenses related to the support of a successful SBIR/STTR application. Each company approved for the 2022 cohort was provided the opportunity to submit $5,000 worth of eligible expenses for reimbursement.
microAwards funds were used by the 2022 cohort to strengthen SBIR/STTR proposals to agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture. The most common use of funds included consultant expenses related to SBIR/STTR proposal writing and review, materials for R&D studies, costs related to trainings and conferences, and consultant expenses for market and customer research.
Due to the overwhelming success of the 2022 cohort, KSEF is thrilled to announce a second round of assistance beginning July 1st, 2022 to Kentucky small businesses interested in improving their SBIR/STTR proposals. This 2023 cohort would have the opportunity to expend up to $5,000 over the course of the year on eligible expenses related to the strengthening of their SBIR/STTR proposals. 2022 cohort companies are eligible to apply for the 2023 cohort. Interested companies should pre-apply and secure their funding as soon as possible at: https://www.ksef.kstc.org/micro-awards.
KSEF proudly supported the following companies in their SBIR/STTR proposal journeys through the 2022 microAward program:
One World Clean Energy is writing a Phase I SBIR proposal for the Department of Energy and is using the Microaward funds to hire two consultants to coach them through the writing process and review their proposal draft, as well as attend an environmental conference hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Wicked Sheets is using the Microaward funds to strengthen future SBIR proposals by supporting the execution of R&D studies for the design and improvement of their technology. To move forward with R&D activities, Wicked Sheets used the funds to purchase materials needed to support laboratory testing for the continued development of a minimum viable product before beta testing with human subjects.
RalphVR is using the Microaward funds to strengthen future SBIR proposals by designing and executing a customer discovery and pilot study in collaboration with the University of Kentucky. This will allow RalphVR to identify at least ten potential customers and partner with one potential customer to execute a four-week pilot of their technology.
Lagrange Scientific, LLC
Lagrange Scientific is writing a Phase II SBIR proposal for the National Institute of Health and is using the Microaward funds to hire two consultants to strengthen their proposal by addressing NIH SBIR reviewer’s comments on their previously submitted proposals.
AmDx PrognostX is writing a Phase II SBIR proposal for the National Institute of Health and is using the Microaward funds to hire three consultants to strengthen their proposal by addressing NIH SBIR reviewer’s comments on their previously submitted proposals.
Wild Dog Physics is writing a Phase II SBIR proposal for the National Cancer Institute and is using the Microaward funds to hire three consultants to strengthen their proposal by conducting a competitive market analysis and production cost analysis that will be included in their proposal.
TruDiagnostic is writing a SBIR proposal for the National Institute of Health and is using Microaward funds to strengthen their proposal by hiring a consultant to assist in designing an R&D study that will be used in the proposal.
Inquiry Technologies is writing a Phase I SBIR proposal for the National Institutes of Drug Abuse and is using Microaward funds to purchase materials needed to execute a pilot trial of their technology. Funds will also be used to attend the Kentucky Annual Workforce Summit Conference.
HeXalayer is writing a Phase II SBIR proposal and is using the Microaward funds to support the costs of materials and travel to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico to complete preliminary data studies of their technology.
Hitron Technologies, Inc.
Hitron Technologies is writing a Phase I SBIR proposal for the Department of Defense and is using the Microaward to strengthen their proposal by hiring two consultants for proposal writing assistance and review of proposal drafts.
Miller Diversified Health Partnerships, LLC
Miller Diversified is writing an SBIR proposal for the National Institute of Health and is using Microaward funds to hire a consultant to assist with proposal writing, market research, project planning, and developing commercialization plans. Remaining funds will be used to secure prototype device materials to develop a preliminary data study, which will be included in their proposal.
Orb Technologies is strengthening future SBIR proposals by using the Microaward funds to support the cost of their patent attorney and accelerate the securing of a patent for their technology.
Channel Portal is writing a Phase I SBIR proposal for the National Science Foundation and is using the Microaward funds to hire two consultants to review and assist in writing the technical innovation section of their proposal.
VerraGlo is writing a Phase II SBIR proposal for the United States Department of Agriculture and is using the Microaward funds to purchase materials and supplies needed for the continued prototype development of their technology, which will be the subject of their SBIR proposal.
PreventScripts is writing a Phase I SBIR proposal for the National Institutes of Health and is using the Microaward funds to fund software prototyping, which will then be used to conduct a pilot study that will be used as preliminary data in support of their SBIR proposal.
B.A. Maze Inc.
B.A. Maze is writing a SBIR proposal for the NIH National Institute of Aging and is using the Microaward funds to hire two consultants for proposal writing and review, attend the University of Louisville’s Optimal Aging Conference, and hire a developer to further develop the software required for their technology.
Spinning Wheel Innovations, LLC
Spinning Wheel Innovations is using Microaward funds to strengthen future SBIR proposals with the National Institutes of Health or Department of Defense by hiring a consultant to conduct materials research and engineering model designs and manufacturing instructions for their technology. Funds will also be used to purchase materials and to manufacture a prototype of their technology.
Super Soul is using Microaward funds to strengthen future SBIR proposals by attending two conferences in which federal funding agencies will be in attendance and providing workshops, which will allow Super Soul to create connections with these agencies. Funds will be used for conference fees, travel, and conference materials.
3P Biotechnologies is writing a direct to Phase II SBIR proposal for the NIH National Cancer Institute and is using the Microaward funds is hire two consults to review the technical and commercialization strategies of their proposal, as well as purchase materials required to perform the studies required for the preliminary data component of the proposal.
Active Therapy Systems is writing a Phase II SBIR proposal for the National Science Foundation and is using the Microaward funds to purchase prototyping materials for their technology and a consultant to assist with the experimental design and data collection of their technology.
NoveraTech is writing a SBIR proposal for the Department of Defense and is using the Microaward funds to hire a consultant to provide comprehensive proposal writing, review, and technical assistance.