Build to Scale (B2S) Program

Overview

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The Build to Scale Program builds regional economies through scalable startups and is comprised of three separate competitions. Click here to view the announcement of the 2020 Build to Scale awardees.

EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) leads the Build to Scale (B2S) Program which is authorized under Section 27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. § 3722). Under the Build to Scale Program, EDA manages a portfolio of grant competitions that further technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high quality job growth, create more economic opportunities, and support the future of the next generation of industry leading companies.

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Funding Opportunities/Competitions

Venture Challenge

The FY20 Venture Challenge (formerly known as the “i6 Challenge”) seeks to support entrepreneurship and accelerate company growth in communities, regions or combinations of regions. View the FY20 Venture Challenge grantees here.

The Venture Challenge awards grants to intermediary organizations like accelerators, universities, and non-profits supporting new business ventures that are…

scalable by nature,
challenging the status quo of markets,
commercializing technologies, and;
furthering job creation

Capital Challenge

The FY20 Capital Challenge (formerly known as “Seed Fund Support”) seeks to increase access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply. View the FY20 Capital Challenge grantees here.

The Capital Challenge provides operational support for…

the formation, launch, or scale of investment funds that seek to invest their capital in scalable startups
organizations with a goal to expand capital deployment within a community, region, or regional industry (i.e. angel networks or investor training programs)

Industry Challenge

The Department of Energy has partnered with EDA to provide $4 million in funding to pilot this year’s exciting new Industry Challenge, which seeks to support entrepreneurship and accelerate company growth within the Blue Economy for the FY20 cycle. View the FY20 Industry Challenge grantees here.

For the purposes of this Industry Challenge, the blue economy includes freshwater as well as marine activities, and can include lines of business directly connected to oceans, rivers, or other freshwater and marine waterways. Sectors may include, but are not limited to, aquaculture, irrigation, filtration, water-technology, offshore wind, or marine conservation. Eligible entities from across the country are encouraged to apply.

The FY20 Industry Challenge will award grants to organizations who are…

Supporting commercialization of these technologies
Improving competitiveness of these startups
Increasing connectivity and collaboration between these stakeholders
Leveraging the blue economy to support innovation and job creation

Organizations that may not fit the technology interests of this year’s Industry Challenge are encouraged to consider the Venture Challenge, which supports entrepreneurship and commercialization in all high-tech industries.

Resources

Updates

To stay up-to-date on the latest innovation and entrepreneurship program news, including announcements of any future funding opportunities, please check OIE's Highlights page regularly and sign up for EDA’s newsletter.