Build to Scale funding opportunities

The U.S. Economic Development Administration is accepting applications for its FY24 $50 million Build to Scale (B2S) program to support 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. B2S grants fund programs that support innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups transforming ideas into the critical, emerging technologies of the future.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year 2023 Build to Scale (B2S) program Notice of Funding Opportunity, making $50 million available to eligible entities to increase regional capacity to strengthen ecosystems that equitably and inclusively support diverse technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. These regions are growing technology-driven businesses; creating high-skill, high-wage jobs; and building the industries of the future. The program aims to build regional economies through scalable startups via two competitions – the Venture Challenge and the Capital Challenge.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year 2023 STEM Talent Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity making $4.5 million available to eligible entities to create and implement STEM talent development strategies that complement their region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge provides funding for work-and-learn programs to increase America’s STEM-capable workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity, among others.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has published the FY22 Build to Scale (B2S) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity making $45 million in federal funds available to build regional economies through scalable startups. The program continues to further technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high quality job growth, create more economic opportunities, and support the next generation of industry leading companies. Under the FY22 B2S program, EDA is soliciting applications for two separate Challenges – the Venture Challenge and Capital Challenge. The Venture Challenge seeks to support entrepreneurship and accelerate scalable companies’ growth in communities that are challenging the status quo of markets, commercializing technology, and furthering job creation. The Capital Challenge seeks to increase access to capital in communities, sectors, or regions where risk capital is in short supply. This includes accelerators, educational institutions, angel networks, and investment funds (B2S does not directly fund individuals or individual startups). For full program details, please visit the Build to Scale website.

EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) leads the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program. Under the RIS Program, the centerpiece of the Regional Innovation Program authorized under Section 27 of Stevenson-Wydler (15 U.S.C. § 3722), EDA currently awards grants that build regional capacity to translate innovations into jobs (1) through proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators and entrepreneurs and (2) through operational support for organizations that provide essential early-stage risk capital to innovators and entrepreneurs.

The Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program is now known as the Build to Scale (B2S) Program with a relevant 2020 Funding Opportunity. Please keep an eye on EDA.gov and sign up for our newsletter for the latest information.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 STEM Talent Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity making $2 million available to eligible entities to create and implement innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) apprenticeship models that complement their respective region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge seeks to develop or expand regional workforce capacity to support high-growth, high-wage entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future (which usually includes industries that leverage emerging technologies), and other innovation driven businesses that have a high likelihood of accelerating economic competitiveness and job creation in their respective regions and in the United States.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 SPRINT Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity. This $25 million is available to eligible entities to enable regional innovation economies to rapidly address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic through entrepreneurship and innovation. The SPRINT Challenge will fund organizations that support the development, creation, or expansion of programs that accelerate technology-based economic development in pursuit of vibrant, innovative economies and economic growth, and respond to the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The SPRINT Challenge is powered by the CARES Act.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 STEM Talent Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity making $2 million available to eligible entities to create and implement STEM talent development strategies that complement their region’s innovation economy. The STEM Talent Challenge provides funding for work-and-learn programs to increase America’s STEM-capable workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as space commerce, aeronautics, digital manufacturing, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has published the FY21 Build to Scale (B2S) Program Notice of Funding Opportunity making $38 million in federal funds available to build regional economies through scalable startups.