SBA holding webinar this week on it 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Applications for Stage One due at the end of January.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the upcoming launch of the 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) for entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) focused on innovation-driven start-ups and entrepreneurs in underserved regions, industries, and communities to launch, grow, and scale.
Scheduled to start accepting applications for Stage One on January 8, the competition is designed to strengthen ESO capacity, build connections, and foster collaboration – expanding access to the innovation economy and boosting entrepreneurial activity nationwide.
The 2025 competition offers $75,000 to $150,000 in awards to organizations to accelerate the growth and maturity of innovation ecosystems in two stages. The initial phase offers $75,000 in cash prizes to organizations that identify challenges within their innovation ecosystems and propose unique solutions. The SBA welcomes submissions from a broad range of organizations with a collaborative vision to nurture a national ecosystem for equitable access to entrepreneurship.
Applicants should align their application with one of two GAFC theme areas:
- Lab-to-market, bridging the gap between research and commercialization; or
- Capital formation, expanding investment access for entrepreneurs and small businesses during the stages of business formation and growth.
Stage One applications will close on January 31 with awards announced by April 2025.
SBA is holding an information webinar from 3 to 4 p.m. EST on January 9. To register, click here.
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