As Opportunities and Programs become available for companies, we will alert you and provide appropriate links on this regularly updated page.
Let us know if you have any questions.
M2D2
$200K
Challenge
M2D2 2024 $200K Challenge Pitch-Off & Awards Announcement:
The University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) hosts an Annual M2D2 $200K Challenge, which represents an opportunity for seed and early-stage medical device and biotech companies to showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. The 2024 Challenge will be held at UMass Lowell iHub 110 Canal St, 3rd Floor Lowell, MA 01852--likely sometime in March 2024.
The M2D2 $200K Challenge awards to selected finalist companies valuable in-kind mentoring and development services provided by the program sponsors, life sciences leaders, entrepreneurs and experts.
Mary Ann Picard, M2D2 Director of Operations, commented on this year's $200K Challenge: “I'm thrilled to start another year with the $200K Challenge. Every year we meet new, passionate entrepreneurs that continue to inspire us and remind us why the innovation of medical and therapeutic devices is so important.”
START Program
The Current Stage 1 Application deadline is Passed--But Prepare for 2025
The SBIR Targeted Technologies (START) Program helps Massachusetts-based start-ups convert research developed under SBIR and STTR contracts into businesses and jobs in Massachusetts. The State-funded program offers grants, and business guidance to help them commercialize their technologies.
START offers MA-based, SBIR Phase II companies, grants, and business guidance to help them commercialize their technologies. Each year, the program awards:
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10 “Stage I” grants of $100,000 each;
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5 “Stage II” grants of $200,000 each to the most promising “Stage I” winners from the previous year and;
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2 “Stage III” opportunities: up to $500,000 each of seed capital in a commercial spinout from the most successful Stage II companies.
Dr. Kachen is one of the volunteers who help to review START proposals.
SBIR's
The Solicitation for the Next Round of the DoD 2024 SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Program [DoD SBIR 24.2 / STTR 24.B] is PRE-RELEASED: April 17, 2024
OPEN: May 15, 2024 and proposals are due: June 12, 2024 at 12PM EST. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization.
Remember that when topics are Pre-Released, companies have roughly a month when they can call the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). After that, questions can only be submitted to the topic Q&A, and questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing.
This is a great opportunity for funding new concepts and new ideas--click the link for further information. GK ENTERPRISES LLC can provide consulting services to help with your proposal.
Middlesex 3
Coalition (M3)
The Middlesex 3 Coalition (M-3) is a coalition of eleven communities (the City of Woburn just joined) north of Boston comprised of leadership from businesses, municipalities and academia that is committed to fostering economic development, job growth and retention, diversifying the tax base and enhancing the quality of life for the entire region. Membership is valuable to all businesses. By working regionally, it provides quick assistance on issues such as infrastructure, transportation, workforce, sustainability, permiting and a direct line to legislatures.
Dr. Kachen, an Emeritus Board Member, provides some services for the Middlesex-3 Coalition through GK ENTERPRISES LLC.
SMI
Strategic Marketing Inc. (SMI) is a government relations consulting firm located in Washington DC just steps away from the institutions that create and implement federal policy. For nearly 30 years, SMI has been helping technology companies navigate the process to secure federal funding. Dr. Kachen through GK ENTERPRISES LLC is one of their Senior Advisors