In 1999, the Vermont Technology Council and several partner organizations created our state’s first comprehensive SBIR outreach program. The program, now led by the Vermont Small Business Development Center, has provided workshops and forums, an outreach website, and mentoring.

Due in part to these efforts, Vermont firms have received over $66 million in federal SBIR grants. In 2007 alone, 16 small businesses received over $4.7 million from 8 federal agencies.

For nearly 25 years, federal Small Business Innovation Research programs have served as a vital source of research and development funding for high-tech companies.

Vermont’s Science and Technology Plan, first published in 1994, emphasized the crucial role that SBIR programs could play in the growth of technology-based business.

SBIR outreach has taken place in Vermont ever since, initially through Vermont EPSCoR.

Vermont SBIR

Sensing Opportunities

MicroStrain, a sensor design and development firm in Williston, has successfully competed for over $4 million in SBIR grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense.

MicroStrain develops sensors for a wide range of applications, including knee implants, civil structures, advanced manufacturing, unmanned military vehicles, and automobile engines.

145 Billings Farm Road
White River Junction, VT 05001
Mark Blanchard,
Technology Development Advisor
281-5236
mblancha@vtsbdc.org
www.vtsbdc.org/technology.cfm