Earlier this year, High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) awarded six grants totaling $95,000 to four local technology companies –through our Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant Program.

SBIR is a three-phase federal program that provides small businesses the opportunity to win federal research and development awards. Hawaii-based companies that receive Phase I feasibility study SBIR awards can apply for up to $25,000 in HSBIR matching grants. These grants enhance a company’s Phase I project development, while helping it to better compete for the more lucrative Phase II awards (normally to build a prototype), and ultimately to commercialize their innovations successfully and profitably.

Late last year, HTDC received an additional $200,000 from the legislature to accommodate the increasing number of companies applying for SBIR matching grants, and to provide consulting assistance to companies wishing to participate in SBIR for the first time. These funds are also used as matching grants for the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) for R&D conducted in partnership with non-profit research institutions, such as the University of Hawaii.

Since 1989, 66 local companies have won 280 federal SBIR Phase I and II awards worth over $63.5 million, received over $4 million in state matching grants and created hundreds of high-quality, high-paying jobs. More than $58 million in SBIR Phase III commercialization dollars in the form of contracts, private investment, and sales have been attracted to Hawaii companies.

The awardees: