This Week’s Tech Highlights:
- SBA Expands Innovation Clusters: 14 new awards to boost small business growth in biotech, cybersecurity, and clean tech.
- $9M in SBA Grants for Underserved Communities: Funding to help startups in underserved areas access resources and mentorship.
- U.S. and India Strengthen Tech Ties: Progress in clean energy, semiconductors, and innovation ecosystems.
Tech Sector News:
- 🤖 AI: Major U.S. cancer centers form an AI alliance to revolutionize cancer treatment.
- 💻 Cybersecurity: DOE invests $23M to safeguard clean energy infrastructure.
- 🛠 Manufacturing: New legislation fast-tracks microchip plant construction.
- 🔬 Biotech: NSF and NIH support advancements in healthcare through digital twin technology.
- ⚡ Clean Energy: DOE invests $1.5B to upgrade the nation’s electric grid.
And more!
GENERAL EMERGING TECH NEWS
SBA Announces 14 New Awards for Regional Innovation Cluster Network to Drive Nationwide Small Business Growth, Job Creation, and Innovation
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the expansion of its Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) network with 14 new awards to support innovative small businesses. These clusters, focusing on industries like biotechnology, cybersecurity, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing, will help entrepreneurs access resources, navigate funding, and scale their businesses. The new clusters are located across the U.S. supporting small businesses through tailored support in emerging and mature industries.
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SBA Awards $9M in Grants to 49 Organizations Across America to Help Underserved Communities Access Development Funding and Innovative Research
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded 49 grants, up to $200,000 each, under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program to support startups through training, mentoring, and technical assistance. The program focuses on increasing participation from underserved communities, including women-owned and rural-based businesses. FAST organizations will provide support across 48 states and Puerto Rico, helping entrepreneurs succeed in securing SBIR/STTR funding.
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U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces Awardees Under Innovative $75 Million Small Business Grant Program
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced funding awards for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program. The $75 million grant program supports underserved and very small businesses in sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and clean energy. Fourteen awardees, including states, tribal nations, and organizations, will use the funding to provide technical assistance, financing, and support to small businesses, enhancing their access to capital and supply chains.
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U.S Secretary of Commerce and Indian Minister of Commerce Convene 6th U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue Meeting
The U.S. and India held their 6th U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue, highlighting progress in semiconductor supply chains, innovation ecosystems, and clean energy. Key achievements include new MOUs on critical minerals and innovation, efforts to support startups and SMEs, and collaboration in travel, tourism, and healthcare. Both sides emphasized enhancing supply chain resilience, economic prosperity, and joint efforts in emerging technologies, with plans to continue discussions and private sector engagement in 2025.
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DHS & Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs Sign Memorandum of Understanding, Promoting Emerging Technology Partnership
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MDA) have signed an MOU to deepen collaboration in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, emphasizing areas like cyber policy, incident response, and AI security. This agreement strengthens the transatlantic security alliance, especially amid global cyber threats. The signing coincides with the Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit, highlighting joint efforts against ransomware and ahead of Poland’s EU presidency in 2025.
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JPEO Armaments & Ammunition cuts Ribbon on New 155mm Metal Parts Facility
The U.S. Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition inaugurated the IMT Precision Production Facility in Ingersoll, Canada. The facility, operated by IMT Group, will produce 15,000 155mm shell bodies per month and supports the U.S. Army’s goal of producing 100,000 artillery rounds per month by 2026. Equipped with advanced automation and testing, it strengthens defense production capacity and highlights U.S.-Canada cooperation in global security efforts.
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PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS
PSF’s Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Innovation Ecosystem
We at Public Spend Forum, are working on different market intelligence reports and briefs for Emerging tech market assessment. Our recent analyses identifies the opportunities we can explore for government to potentially drive more funding towards robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Here is the summary of the charts:
- The top left chart shows the entire Robotics/Adv Mfg ecosystem based on # of orgs (companies, Research institutions, non-profits).
- The other charts are government funding for the past 5 years.
Based on our insights here are the some areas for improving funding flows and leveraging innovation across the country.
- Central and southern regions, including states like Kansas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, experience limited government funding despite having some ecosystem presence, indicating potential for growth with increased investment.
- Areas outside major hubs like Atlanta have fewer organizations receiving funding, despite a notable presence of robotics and advanced manufacturing companies. Government grants and programs could stimulate further development.
- The Mountain West and parts of the Midwest have growing clusters of robotics innovation. Targeted funding, including grants and OTAs, could accelerate the development of these emerging hubs.
- While major innovation hubs are important, a more balanced funding distribution could diversify talent and production across the country, enhancing the resilience of the U.S. robotics sector.
There’s a lot more to uncover. You can access the Public Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard to see more information.
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TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS
AI: Cancer centers launch Cancer AI Alliance to unlock Discoveries, Transform Care Using Cancer Data and Applied AI
Four major U.S. cancer centers have formed the Cancer AI Alliance (CAIA) with support from AI leaders AWS, Microsoft, Deloitte, and NVIDIA. The alliance will apply responsible AI to analyze large cancer data sets while ensuring data security. Fred Hutch Cancer Center leads this effort, aiming to accelerate cancer research and treatment through AI-driven insights. CAIA is expected to start producing insights by late 2025, with further expansion planned.
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Microelectronics: New Bill Seeks to Prevent Delays in Microchip Plant Construction
The Building Chips in America Act of 2023 has been signed into law, streamlining permitting procedures for microchip manufacturing projects. The legislation aims to expedite construction of semiconductor facilities under the CHIPS and Science Act through accelerated permitting and streamlined approval processes.
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Cybersecurity: DOE Funds New Cyber Research to Protect Clean Energy Infrastructure
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced nearly $23 million in funding for eight projects aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in clean energy infrastructure. These initiatives, selected by the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, focus on developing new tools and technologies to detect and mitigate cyber threats across distributed energy resources, inverter-based resources, and virtual power plants, ensuring secure energy delivery.
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Biotechnology: NIST Awards Up to $1.5 Million to Support Development of Regenerative Medicine Standards Curricula
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded two organizations up to $1.5 million to develop training programs for the regenerative medicine workforce. These initiatives will focus on implementing standards for cell therapy, gene therapy, and tissue engineering, enhancing quality and consistency in advanced therapies through various educational methods.
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Biotechnology: NSF, NIH and FDA Support Research in Digital Twin Technology for Biomedical Applications
The National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with the NIH and FDA, has awarded over $6 million for seven projects focused on developing digital twins for healthcare and biomedical research. These projects aim to enhance patient monitoring, streamline clinical trials, and improve decision-making through advanced mathematical models and AI integration, covering topics like cardiovascular devices and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Clean Energy: DOE Invests $1.5 Billion to Bolster the Nation’s Electricity Grid and Deliver Affordable Electricity to Meet New Demands
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $1.5 billion investment in four transmission projects aimed at enhancing grid reliability and expanding clean energy access. These projects will develop nearly 1,000 miles of new transmission lines, creating around 9,000 jobs. Additionally, a National Transmission Planning Study highlights the need for significant expansion to ensure future grid reliability and cost savings.
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Advanced Energy: Department of Energy Announces $49 Million for Research on Foundational Laboratory Fusion
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $49 million in funding for 19 projects focused on advancing fusion energy technology through its Fusion Nuclear Science and Materials programs. The projects aim to address key scientific challenges by developing advanced materials, fuel cycle systems, and magnet designs to control fusion plasma. Fusion energy, which mimics the sun’s process of combining atomic nuclei, holds the promise of a clean, limitless energy source without radioactive waste or carbon emissions.
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BioManufacturing: Taking a Groundbreaking Technology from Basic Research to Commercialization
A new real-time monitoring technique using Molecular Rotational Resonance (MRR) spectroscopy has the potential to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing and other industries. Developed over 20 years with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), MRR enables rapid chemical analysis. University of Virginia Professor Brooks Pate and his team, with NSF support, founded BrightSpec to commercialize the technology, which secured $18 million in funding to advance its applications in pharmaceutical chemistry.
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