Welcome to Render’s TABA resource!

Whether you're just discovering the valuable opportunities available through your favorite funding agency’s Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) program, or you're a seasoned innovator seeking to maximize your support, this newsletter is here to guide you. Each quarter, we’ll bring you insights, key deadlines, success stories, and resources to support you in your commercialization efforts–let’s build the next big thing together.

What is TABA?

The TABA (Technical and Business Assistance) program provides supplemental funding to small businesses that have been awarded SBIR/STTR grants. This funding is intended to help companies commercialize the technology they developed with their SBIR/STTR grant by covering the costs of business services like market research, regulatory strategy consulting, and other services that are critical for early-stage startups. Each participating government agency operates their TABA programs a little differently, which is why finding the information you need to access these funds can be a challenge. You can find more information about whether you’re eligible for TABA funds and what kinds of services are covered under the program here. 

Innovator Highlight

From Night Sweats to Smart Care: Wicked Sheets 

Wicked Technologies, led by founder Alli Truttmann, turned a personal challenge into a life-changing innovation for seniors with incontinence. With support from an NIA Phase I SBIR grant, the Louisville-based company developed the Wicked Smart Pad, a smart incontinence pad that notifies caregivers in real-time. Learn how TABA funding could have accelerated their journey and why founder Alli encourages small businesses to maximize this valuable resource. 

Upcoming Deadlines

For most agencies, the easiest way to ensure you can access TABA funds is to include it in your SBIR/STTR proposal. Here are some large upcoming agency deadlines, but double-check your particular solicitation for the most accurate information:

• NIH SBIR/STTR Omnibus: Apr. 6, 2025

• NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I & II Proposal Deadline: March 5, 2025

• DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I:

  • Letter of Intent Due Date: Jan. 7, 2025

  • Full applications due Feb. 26, 2025

• DOE SBIR/STTR Phase II:

  • (Release 1) Full applications due: Dec. 3, 2024

  • (Release 2) Letter of Intent Due Date: Jan. 7, 2025

About Render

Render is a venture capital firm. We’re also consultants, and we provide commercialization support services for small businesses through the TABA mechanism and outside of it. To learn more about whether Render can help your business, drop us a line at [email protected].