2024 SBIR/STTR Innovation Competition
Six Rio Grande Valley startups closed out a 10-week accelerator by pitching for a share of $77,500 in funding. The SBIR/STTR track helps deep-tech companies build toward federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants, run through BCIC's partnership with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.
Results
The companies & their pitches
Each company pitched live at the eBridge Center. Watch the pitches below.
AccuCell Biotechnology
Builds in-vitro devices that mimic human tissue, using technology licensed from NASA. The customizable micro-organ devices give drug researchers more accurate results and cut the need for animal testing.
Heroica Technologies
Works in photonics, developing photonic integrated circuits, chemical sensors, infrared imaging, and optical communication systems.
The Partnership Institute
Builds bilingual distance-learning content, including movie-quality animation repurposed for the classroom.
MerLion Advisory Group
A maritime advisory firm focused on safety, asset security, and environmental responsibility at sea and ashore, centered on Maritime Domain Awareness and Response.
Career Bridge
Gives educators the tools to build and run programs focused on student growth and career preparation.
Sensapath
Develops AI assistive technology for people who are visually impaired.
Watch the full competition
The complete 2024 SBIR/STTR Innovation Competition, start to finish.
Judges
Industry and ecosystem leaders scored the pitches and picked the winners.