Unlocking Funding Opportunities for Innovation Ecosystem Projects


"To stay ahead, you must have your next idea waiting in the wings."
- Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Welcome to another edition of Ecosystem Builder's Edge. This newsletter is where I share ideas and insights from my journey in implementing ecosystem building practices, helping you access hard-earned wisdom to accelerate your own path.

Dear Ecosystem Builders,

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, securing funding for your ecosystem projects is not just beneficial—it's essential. As we navigate the intricate world of grants and financial support, this newsletter aims to be your compass, highlighting key funding opportunities and providing insights to help you turn your visionary projects into reality. Whether you're fostering a tech hub in an urban center or cultivating rural entrepreneurship, the right funding can be the catalyst that gets momentum going in the right direction.

Top 7 National Funding Sources to Watch:

1) Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants - Regional economic development and innovation initiatives

  • Build to Scale Program
  • Good Jobs Challenge
  • Tech Hubs

2) National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants - Research and education in science and engineering

  • NSF Accelerating Research Translation
  • NSF Regional Innovation Engines
  • NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps)

3) Small Business Administration (SBA) Grants - Support for technical assistance to small businesses and STEM entrepreneurs

  • Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
  • Federal and State Technology Partnership Program
  • Regional Innovation Clusters

4) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs - Proof of concept and prototype funding for small businesses with commercial potential and public/private sector partnerships in R&D

  • National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR
  • Department of Defense SBIR/STTR
  • Department of Energy SBIR/STTR

5) Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunities - Clean energy and technology innovation

  • Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC)
  • Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
  • DOE Hero-X Challenges

6) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants - Biomedical research and health innovation

  • Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)
  • Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
  • Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program

7) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Grants - Rural economic development and innovation

  • Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program
  • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants
  • Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program

Emerging Trends in Ecosystem Funding:

Rise of public-private partnerships:
We're seeing an increasing number of funding opportunities that require matching funds from private sources. This trend encourages ecosystem builders to forge stronger ties with local industries and investors.
Focus on sustainable and inclusive innovation:

Funders are prioritizing projects that demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive engagement principles. Ensure your strategy address these aspects explicitly.
Increased support for rural ecosystem development:

There's growing recognition of the need to foster innovation beyond urban centers. Rural-focused grants are on the rise, offering unique opportunities for ecosystem builders in less densely populated areas.

As we've explored in this newsletter, the landscape of funding for innovation ecosystems is dynamic and full of opportunity. By staying informed about these sources, understanding emerging trends, and honing your funding strategy, you're positioning your ecosystem for success.

We want to hear from you! Have you recently secured funding for your ecosystem project? Share your success story with us, and you might be featured in our next issue. Together, we can build a network of thriving, well-funded innovation ecosystems across the nation.

Highlighted Events

Stay connected with upcoming events where ecosystem builders gather:

Funding Opportunities

Track important open funding programs for ecosystem efforts:

Timely Reads

Engage in insightful conversations on ecosystem building from around the web this week:

Until next time, keep shining 🌟!


P.S. A quick note of thanks to our affiliates Airtable and Amazon who help keep this newsletter free!

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