NSF SBIR/STTR teams connect with investors, founders and technologists in San Francisco

Alexandria, VA — The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs recently convened a networking event focused on deep tech innovation with select NSF-funded companies in San Francisco together with Pebblebed, a venture firm focused on emerging technologies.

The intimate event assembled founders from over a dozen NSF-funded companies, representing sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence to biotech and quantum technologies, to present about their companies and technical innovations to a curated group of active investors focused on deep tech. The session included short-format pitches and informal discussions, creating an opportunity for founders to connect with a range of capital providers that have already resulted in continued dialogue between investors and companies.

"This event was an opportunity for a selection of some of the most promising NSF-backed founders to showcase the technologies and breakthroughs they're driving that have the potential to shape our future," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP). "Together with our partners at Pebblebed, we felt a real enthusiasm for creating space for deep tech founders to meet and engage with a diverse range of investors — from pre-seed investors to institutional venture capital platforms — to both explore the opportunity to work together and also to preview the range of technology advances that are poised to redefine markets across multiple sectors of our economy."

“The most fruitful relationships are based on capabilities and aligned vision, not who you happen to know,” said Luke Byrne, co-founder & General Partner at Pebblebed. “We're excited to build more opportunities for these direct connections to form.”

The event reflects NSF TIP's broader commitment to expanding the commercialization pathways for technology- and science-based startups and ensuring that public investments translate into economic and societal impact. The showcase was part of initial efforts to expand the range of opportunities that NSF-funded companies have to engage private sector partners early and often in their startup journeys.

Building on the success of this pilot, TIP is developing a range of future events and engagement opportunities in collaboration with new partners, including those from across the national venture capital ecosystem. These events will continue to feature high-potential startups and are designed to highlight the strength of the NSF innovation pipeline, connecting early-stage companies that have de-risked important technologies through TIP investments.

Investors and capital networks interested in future opportunities to engage with NSF-funded companies can contact the Small Business Section at tip@nsf.gov or regularly check NSF’s website for coming events.

About SBIR/STTR programs

Through America's Seed Fund, powered by NSF (also known as the SBIR/STTR programs), NSF invests in startups transforming scientific and engineering discoveries into impactful products and services. Each year, the program awards over $240 million in research and development funding to approximately 400 startups nationwide. These companies are creating transformative solutions ranging from AI and quantum to advanced materials and biotechnology. In the last several years, NSF investments totaling $1.6 billion have catalyzed more than $32 billion in follow-on commitments from other investors.

Learn more on the Seed Fund webpage and the NSF TIP webpage.