September 2021 – Raleigh, NC – The RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) has been selected by the Small Business Administration as one of 84 winners nationwide in their Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.
The SBA’s grant program is designed to fund “innovation-focused entrepreneur support organizations with programs to speed the launch, growth, and scale of deep-tech small businesses across the country.”
RIoT will leverage the $50,000 prize to bring STEM/R&D startups, particularly from rural communities surrounding the Triangle, into the RIoT Accelerator Program, and expand small-format convening and educational programs on SBIR/STTR opportunities.
RIoT has a track record of supporting startups in successfully winning and executing on SBIR/STTR proposals. RAP alumni startups have submitted 14 SBIR/STTR proposals, 11 of which were awarded. Adding to that list is an alumni of the Summer 2021 RAP cohort, Geometric Data Analytics, who brought an SBIR-funded project through the program and Clearsens, an incoming startup to the Fall 2021 RAP cohort and STTR awardee.
RIoT aims to increase awareness and success rates of SBIR/STTR opportunities, especially in underserved areas and for underrepresented minority founders. The target outcome is to surround rural entrepreneurs with mentorship on the SBIR/STTR programs – both the submission and post-award execution process.
RIoT is one of three awardees from North Carolina, alongside First Flight Venture Center and KickStart Venture Services. SBA’s announcement and list of winners may be found here.