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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!

Prep for the 2025 NASA SBIR Ignite Phase I Solicitation about SBIR Ignite

Phase I NASA Investment

Up to $150,000

Available to

Small Businesses

Phase II NASA Investment

Up to $850,000

Focus

Commercialization

2025 NASA SBIR Ignite Phase I Solicitation

To help firms prepare for the upcoming Solicitation, NASA is pre-releasing the subtopics. Find the 2025 NASA SBIR Phase I pre-released subtopics here.  

SBIR Ignite quotes from previous awardees
Quotes from previous SBIR Ignite awardees
NASA SBIR-STTR/ Valentina Valderrama Perez

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

Register Here

Four Ask Me Anythings (AMAs) are being planned for June. The registration link for each AMA is included in the information below. The first AMA will provide an opportunity to ask Ignite insiders what makes a proposal stand out. The other three AMAs will focus on the specific technology subtopics. 

  • Tuesday, June 3 – General AMA – “Keys to a successful SBIR Ignite Proposal” with Canopy Aerospace, Cecilia Energy, and Space Tango Register Here
  • Thursday June 5 – AI-Powered Design for Multidisciplinary Space Hardware AMA Register Here
  • Tuesday, June 10 – Advanced Manufacturing (AM) & Robotics for Space Applications AMA Register Here
  • Thursday, June 12 – Low-Cost Radar for Planetary Navigation and Autonomy AMA Register Here

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.

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.