SBIR Ignite
SBIR Ignite is an initiative that encourages small businesses to develop more commercialization-focused technologies. This initiative is ideal for high-growth, product-oriented entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses that have not worked with NASA before. It provides an opportunity to use NASA as a stepping stone on the path toward commercial success. SBIR Ignite reduces the gap between startups and investors, funding U.S. small businesses in their early stage, high-risk technology development to help make the company and their technologies more attractive to private sector investors, customers, and partners. Ultimately, Ignite drives the nation’s economy, increases capabilities delivered to commercial markets, and adds growth in jobs, revenue, and valuation.
The 2025 NASA SBIR Ignite Phase I Solicitation is scheduled to open in Summer 2025. We will continue to update this page throughout the spring as Catalyst events, Ask Me Anything webinars, and additional items to help you prepare become available!
Phase I NASA Investment
Up to $150,000
Available to
Small Businesses
Phase II NASA Investment
Up to $850,000
Focus
Commercialization
Your Journey through SBIR Ignite
Receive the same support while focusing on your commercial goals
SBIR Ignite offers the same three phases, non-dilutive funding levels and other opportunities available to all Phase I and Phase II participants, such as I-Corps and TABA.
What makes SBIR Ignite unique from the rest of the program?
- Commercialization: Through SBIR Ignite, NASA seeks to collaborate with entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses who will attract strong private sector investment after their Phase I and II contracts for commercially viable products in NASA-relevant fields. While the NASA SBIR and STTR Phase I solicitations also evaluate commercial potential and feasibility, many technologies address a specific NASA challenge or need, and many companies we work with have a primary goal of contributing to a NASA mission or being sustained with NASA as a key customer.
- Engagement: NASA SBIR Ignite offers engagement opportunities throughout the year, including Catalyst events, Ask Me Anything sessions, individual and group coaching, and access to a digital community.
- Topics: The NASA SBIR Ignite solicitation includes a select few topics relevant to emerging commercial markets in aerospace.
- Less Prescriptive Solicitation: The NASA SBIR Ignite solicitation encourages companies to maintain their go-to-market strategies.
- Accelerated Award Schedule: The NASA SBIR Ignite Phase II proposal is due earlier in the Phase I period, allowing Phase II awards to be made faster. Companies are also encouraged to accelerate their Phase II period of performance.
Catalyst Events
SBIR Ignite’s Catalyst events are designed to help founders at any stage learn more about and prepare to apply for SBIR Ignite. Founders new to NASA and those in later startup stages can apply to join key events that will prepare them to participate in SBIR Ignite while building their NASA networks and knowledge.
2025 Catalyst Events
April 8, 2025 | AI Catalyst Event
Showcase your expertise in AI-driven solutions for space at the AI Catalyst Event! This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate your thought leadership directly to NASA subject matter experts, investors, and government stakeholders. Applications were due here by March 19th at 5pm PT. Due to restrictions on government travel, this event was pivoted to virtual-only.
Ask Me Anything Events
Four Ask Me Anythings (AMAs) are being planned for the month of June. The first AMA is already open for registration. It will provide an opportunity to ask Ignite insiders what makes a proposal stand out. The other three AMAs will focus on specific technology topics, and those topics will be announced along with the topic pre-release on May 19.
- Tuesday, June 3 – Keys to a Winning Ignite Proposal
- Thursday June 5 – Topic TBA
- Tuesday, June 10 – Topic TBA
- Thursday, June 12 – Topic TBA
Be sure to take advantage of these AMAs. By attending, you can ask questions about the topic areas and receive insights about writing an Ignite proposal.
2024 SBIR Ignite Phase I Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions
Aviation Batteries & Point-of-use Recycling for Optimized Space-Age Logistics
Watch a recording of the 4/18/24 virtual AMA where we discussed the SBIR Ignite opportunity, how to prepare for it, and how to get engaged and involved. This session focused on Aviation Batteries and Point-of-use Recycling for Optimized Space-Age Logistics.
Microgravity Simulators, Leak Free Cryogenic Valves, Radio-isotope Power Systems, & Lunar Surface Payloads
Watch a recording of the 5/1/24 virtual AMA where we discussed the SBIR Ignite opportunity, how to prepare for it, and how to get engaged and involved. This session focused on Microgravity Simulators, Leak Free Cryogenic Valves, Radio-isotope Power Systems, and Lunar Surface Payloads.
Recent SBIR Ignite Selections
2024 SBIR Ignite Phase I
On October 31, 2024, NASA selected 9 small businesses to receive 2024 SBIR Ignite Phase I awards, providing up to $150,000 to each company to support them through their early-stage, high-risk technology development. The selected technologies fall under three different technology areas: Aviation-Ready Electrical Energy Storage for All-Electric or Hybrid Electric Aircraft, Leak-Free Cryogenic Valves and Quick Disconnects, and Decision Support Tools Leveraging NASA Earth Science Data. Read more about the awardees and their technology proposals in the 2024 NASA SBIR Ignite Phase I Awardees (December 12, 2024) PDF under Solicitations & Awardees below.
