HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES GROW
Awardees are eligible for matches of $25,000 to $100,000
Three Albuquerque companies awarded innovation research grants.
Three Albuquerque companies have been awarded New Mexico Small Business Innovation Research Grants to help their businesses grow.
The program provides additional resources to commercialize technology developed using federal SBIR funding, Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said in a news release.
“This money comes at an important time for these companies as they finish research and development, and prepare for commercialization,” she said in a statement. “The program is now more accountable, and we think the companies receiving grants are better able to succeed and create jobs.”
It was revamped in 2019 with a more technical and expert review of business proposals. The initial 15 applications were narrowed to five and those applicants were interviewed by the new Technology Research Collaborative Board. The board is a revised panel of 11 university, science and business experts who promote technology commercialization in New Mexico.
These competitive grants match Phase I SBIR awards up to $25,000 and Phase II awardees are eligible for a match up to $100,000, according to the news release.
The following Albuquerque based companies were awarded NMSBIR Phase II grants for fall FY20:
■ LoadPath LLC, which delivers
mechanical, structural and thermal technologies for satellite and space launch applications. The award will allow them to move toward commercialization of the thermal control subsystem technologies that enable future high-power small spacecraft.
VisionQuest Biomedical LLC, which develops and deploys imaging technologies to give access to health care to the millions of individuals in the U.S. and worldwide with limited or no such access. Funds will go toward commercialization of new retinal image technology that will allow for better ID of malarial biomarkers.
X-Bow Launch Systems, which recently moved primary operations from Auburn, California, to Albuquerque. An additive manufacturer of rocket propellant, X-Bow will use the award to aid in its development of solid propellant technology with applications across many industries.
Companies interested in applying for the NMSBIR Grant Program can find more information at gonm.biz or by contacting Myrriah Tomar, Office of Science & Technology Director at Myrriah. Tomar@state.nm.us or (505) 827-0222.