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5 minute read
December 23, 2024

2025 SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition: $9M to Boost Innovation

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the upcoming launch of the 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). This initiative aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems by supporting entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) that help startups and entrepreneurs thrive in underserved regions, industries, and communities. With up to $9 million in funding available, the competition is designed to address key challenges, foster collaboration, and expand access to the innovation economy across the United States.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition offers up to $9 million to support innovation ecosystems.
  • Open to organizations like universities, non-profits, and economic development groups.
  • Two stages:
    • Stage One: $75,000 awards for innovative solutions (Jan 8–31, 2025).
    • Stage Two: $150,000 awards to scale solutions (winners announced by Sept 2025).

Why This Competition Matters

SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman highlights the significance of the program, stating:

“This year’s competition will emphasize advancing America’s global leadership in critical industries and ensuring creative ideas make it to market.”

The GAFC supports organizations that empower innovators by enhancing resources, building partnerships, and driving entrepreneurial activity.

Competition Details

The 2025 GAFC will be conducted in two stages, with funding opportunities ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 for eligible organizations.

Stage One: Identifying Challenges and Proposing Solutions

  • Application Period: January 8, 2025 – January 31, 2025
  • Funding: $75,000 per winning organization
  • Objective: Encourage organizations to identify challenges in their innovation ecosystems and propose creative solutions.

Applicants must align their proposals with one of the competition’s two themes:

  • Lab-to-Market
    • Bridging the gap between research and commercialization in areas such as:
      • National and economic security
      • Domestic manufacturing
      • Biotechnology
      • Other emerging technologies
  • Capital Formation
    • Enhancing investment access for entrepreneurs and small businesses through:
      • New funding mechanisms
      • Financial stakeholder development
      • Improved investment literacy

Awards Announcement: Winners will be announced by April 2025.

Stage Two: Scaling Solutions

  • Eligibility: Open only to Stage One winners
  • Funding: $150,000 per winning organization
  • Objective: Scale the proposed solutions to create a larger impact on the innovation ecosystem.

Awards Announcement: Winners will be announced by September 2025.

Who Should Apply?

The SBA encourages applications from a diverse range of organizations, including:

  • Universities and research institutions
  • Non-profits and community organizations
  • Economic development groups
  • Other ESOs with a collaborative vision for equitable entrepreneurship

Key Dates to Remember

  • Stage One Applications Open: January 8, 2025
  • Stage One Applications Close: January 31, 2025
  • Stage Two Winners Announced: September 2025

For More Information

SBA press release: https://www.sba.gov/article/2024/12/19/sba-growth-accelerator-fund-competition-accelerate-innovation-driven-ecosystem-building-9-million
Frequently Asked Questions

The SBA’s Office of Investment and Innovation provides high-growth small businesses with access to financial capital and research funding to develop innovative, commercially viable ideas. It works through public-private partnerships to support small businesses from concept to growth.

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