National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF), established in 1950 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing fundamental research and education across all scientific and engineering disciplines. With an annual budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF operates America's Seed Fund, which allocates nearly $200 million each year to support startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This initiative provides non-dilutive funding of up to $1.5 million to assist in research and development efforts, thereby facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and services. By helping to de-risk technology, the NSF plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.

James Donlon

Program Director

Sean L. Jones

Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Ben Schrag Ph.D

Program Director and Policy Liaison, SBIR / STTR

Past deals in Collaborative Consumption

Nth Cycle

Grant in 2022
Nth Cycle is a start-up focused on transforming the electronics manufacturing supply chain through innovative low-cost recycling methods. The company aims to shift the industry from a linear material model to a more efficient circular model, thereby reducing dependence on overseas mining and refining of rare earth and specialty metals. By developing an electrochemical recycling device, Nth Cycle enables the reclamation of valuable metals from end-of-life electronic devices, creating a secure domestic source for these materials. This approach not only supports the manufacturing sector but also contributes to advancements in clean energy, addressing the growing demand for sustainable practices in the recycling and electronics industries.

Green Light Labs

Grant in 2021
Green Light Labs helps organizations save money, improve employee retention, and reduce CO2 emissions by measuring the cost of mobility, providing recommendations for improvement, and facilitating the exchange of communication and incentives between management and employees. It offers a marketing platform meant to convince users to switch to electric vehicles.

Full Circle Microbes

Grant in 2020
Full Circle Microbes provides a waste disposal service that converts organic waste into fertilizer. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Hinesburg, Vermont.

CircleIn

Grant in 2020
CircleIn is an online educational platform dedicated to enhancing the student study experience by fostering collaboration and accessibility. The platform enables students to connect with peers and high achievers nationwide for personalized coaching and support. By providing an easy-to-use app and website, CircleIn encourages students to work together to tackle challenging problems and share valuable study resources. The company's mission focuses on making learning more attainable and inclusive, ultimately aiming to unlock the full potential of every student.

Conox

Grant in 2020
Conox is a research and development company based in Spring, Texas, specializing in the production of alkaline glass made from waste resources. The company's innovative approach utilizes waste concrete to create glass products, which significantly lowers carbon dioxide emissions during the manufacturing process. By requiring less acid sulfate, Conox's glass can be used in a variety of applications, including beverage containers and building materials like fiberglass insulation and mineral wool. This focus on sustainability enables the glass industry to minimize its carbon footprint across the entire value chain.

Spotery

Grant in 2019
Spotery is a platform that energizes relationships with communities through a marketplace for everyday facilities where non-traditional landlords can market their under-used spaces with membership certification, revenue management and social network personalization.

Green Light Labs

Grant in 2019
Green Light Labs helps organizations save money, improve employee retention, and reduce CO2 emissions by measuring the cost of mobility, providing recommendations for improvement, and facilitating the exchange of communication and incentives between management and employees. It offers a marketing platform meant to convince users to switch to electric vehicles.

Nth Cycle

Grant in 2019
Nth Cycle is a start-up focused on transforming the electronics manufacturing supply chain through innovative low-cost recycling methods. The company aims to shift the industry from a linear material model to a more efficient circular model, thereby reducing dependence on overseas mining and refining of rare earth and specialty metals. By developing an electrochemical recycling device, Nth Cycle enables the reclamation of valuable metals from end-of-life electronic devices, creating a secure domestic source for these materials. This approach not only supports the manufacturing sector but also contributes to advancements in clean energy, addressing the growing demand for sustainable practices in the recycling and electronics industries.

Tradepal

Grant in 2019
Tradepal is a collaborative learning platform that allows users to create educational courses and connect instructors with learners.

Litterati

Grant in 2019
Litterati is an app that encourages users to pick up and track litter.The app plans to let users join groups, so that schools, clubs, and other communities can track their collective efforts rather than having to go solo. It will also introduce maps, so litter-pickers can see what else is being picked up in their neighborhoods.

Conservation X Labs

Grant in 2019
Conservation X Labs focuses on harnessing technology and entrepreneurship to address the key drivers of human-induced extinction. By utilizing open innovation, the organization runs global innovation competitions that invite diverse participants to propose solutions aimed at conservation challenges. With a blend of in-house expertise and a commitment to scaling early-stage companies, Conservation X Labs aims to create impactful, market-driven solutions that tackle the root causes of extinction rather than merely addressing its symptoms. This approach, termed Conservation 3.0, emphasizes a transformative and interdisciplinary perspective on conservation efforts, positioning the organization at the forefront of environmental innovation.

Cleancult

Grant in 2019
Cleancult is a company focused on creating sustainable cleaning products that reduce reliance on single-use plastics. It manufactures refillable items in aluminum bottles and offers all-natural laundry detergents in the form of cleaning pods. These pods contain powerful stain-fighting ingredients and a non-toxic formula, making them suitable for customers with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. By promoting eco-friendly practices and providing effective cleaning solutions, Cleancult aims to support a sustainable lifestyle for its consumers.

Comake

Grant in 2018
Comake is a software platform that addresses the challenges faced by modern knowledge workers who navigate multiple communication channels and fragmented information systems. By consolidating and contextualizing digital information from various sources, Comake provides users with a single interface to view, search, communicate, share, and collaborate on content. The platform automatically maps emails, messages, files, and tasks to relevant employees, clients, and projects, enhancing internal communication and fostering valuable connections across organizations. As more collaborators join, the platform's utility increases, making it an effective tool for improving workflow and collaboration within teams.

CircleIn

Grant in 2018
CircleIn is an online educational platform dedicated to enhancing the student study experience by fostering collaboration and accessibility. The platform enables students to connect with peers and high achievers nationwide for personalized coaching and support. By providing an easy-to-use app and website, CircleIn encourages students to work together to tackle challenging problems and share valuable study resources. The company's mission focuses on making learning more attainable and inclusive, ultimately aiming to unlock the full potential of every student.

The Local Crowd

Grant in 2018
The Local Crowd

NovolBio

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Totally vertically integrated B2C eyewear, no plastic waste. Better, faster, cheaper, greener.

Ambercycle

Grant in 2018
Ambercycle is a chemical technology company focused on creating a closed-loop ecosystem for apparel by converting end-of-life textiles into new yarns. The company's innovative recycling technology transforms complex textile waste into a polymer powder, facilitating the recycling process and making it more cost-effective. This approach allows apparel businesses to produce and market clothing using renewable feedstocks, thereby reducing waste and contributing to environmental sustainability. By addressing the challenges associated with textile waste, Ambercycle aims to promote a more sustainable fashion industry.

Litterati

Grant in 2018
Litterati is an app that encourages users to pick up and track litter.The app plans to let users join groups, so that schools, clubs, and other communities can track their collective efforts rather than having to go solo. It will also introduce maps, so litter-pickers can see what else is being picked up in their neighborhoods.

Ascend Elements

Grant in 2017
Ascend Elements specializes in the sustainable manufacturing of battery materials by utilizing elements extracted from discarded lithium-ion batteries. The company employs advanced hydro process recycling and direct recycling techniques to deconstruct old cathode materials at the atomic level, facilitating the creation of new cathode materials. This innovative approach allows clients to achieve a favorable return on assets while promoting economically viable recycling and affordable battery materials. Ascend Elements' patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology enhances the efficiency of producing new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells compared to traditional methods, leading to reduced costs, improved performance, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2015, Ascend Elements is positioned as a leader in transforming battery resource processing and sustainability in the industry.

Ambercycle

Grant in 2017
Ambercycle is a chemical technology company focused on creating a closed-loop ecosystem for apparel by converting end-of-life textiles into new yarns. The company's innovative recycling technology transforms complex textile waste into a polymer powder, facilitating the recycling process and making it more cost-effective. This approach allows apparel businesses to produce and market clothing using renewable feedstocks, thereby reducing waste and contributing to environmental sustainability. By addressing the challenges associated with textile waste, Ambercycle aims to promote a more sustainable fashion industry.

NovolBio

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Totally vertically integrated B2C eyewear, no plastic waste. Better, faster, cheaper, greener.

Connora Technologies

Grant in 2016
Connora Technologies, Inc. is a chemistry company based in Hayward, California, specializing in the design and manufacturing of recyclable thermoset resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites. Founded in 2011, the company offers innovative products, including Recyclamine® hardeners, which enable the creation of recyclable composites, removable coatings, and adhesives. Connora's solutions promote a circular economy by facilitating the easy removal of components from composite structures, thereby reducing waste and landfill costs. The company serves major manufacturers across various industries, including transportation, sports and recreation, wind energy, and civil infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and direct collaboration with clients, Connora aims to meet stringent manufacturing and design requirements while supporting a sustainable future in the fiber-reinforced plastics sector.

Ascend Elements

Grant in 2015
Ascend Elements specializes in the sustainable manufacturing of battery materials by utilizing elements extracted from discarded lithium-ion batteries. The company employs advanced hydro process recycling and direct recycling techniques to deconstruct old cathode materials at the atomic level, facilitating the creation of new cathode materials. This innovative approach allows clients to achieve a favorable return on assets while promoting economically viable recycling and affordable battery materials. Ascend Elements' patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology enhances the efficiency of producing new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells compared to traditional methods, leading to reduced costs, improved performance, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2015, Ascend Elements is positioned as a leader in transforming battery resource processing and sustainability in the industry.
The Cryptocurrency Research Group is the first formal cross-disciplinary research network focused on studying cryptocurrencies and other decentralized consensus technologies. CCRG affiliates span a wide range of disciplines including mathematics, cryptography, economics, and law. The goal of the CCRG is to understand decentralized consensus technology, its application and potential impact on the world, and to promulgate that understanding to the research community and to the public.

Blue Planet Ink

Grant in 2015
Operator of a self-erasing inkjet ink brand intended to make paper reusable without disposing and recycling. The company's ink absorbs and reacts with carbon dioxide present in the air which makes the ink colorless, enabling consumers to recycle and reuse the same paper multiple times.

Connora Technologies

Grant in 2015
Connora Technologies, Inc. is a chemistry company based in Hayward, California, specializing in the design and manufacturing of recyclable thermoset resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites. Founded in 2011, the company offers innovative products, including Recyclamine® hardeners, which enable the creation of recyclable composites, removable coatings, and adhesives. Connora's solutions promote a circular economy by facilitating the easy removal of components from composite structures, thereby reducing waste and landfill costs. The company serves major manufacturers across various industries, including transportation, sports and recreation, wind energy, and civil infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and direct collaboration with clients, Connora aims to meet stringent manufacturing and design requirements while supporting a sustainable future in the fiber-reinforced plastics sector.

CohortFS

Grant in 2012
CohortFS is an Open Source distributed software-defined storage platform that combines - unified file, block and object storage based on Ceph storage protocols re-architected for workload performance, isolation, and multi-tenancy - novel pNFS (parallel NFS) technology for metadata scalability and flexible data placement CohortFS extends the Ceph cluster model with explicit data sets (volumes) supporting discrete customer data paths and workloads in a single cluster. CohortFS client-side striping and erasure coding and streamlined CohortFS OSD open new workload possibilities for Ceph-style storage deployments. CohortFS extends traditional pNFS layout technology to fully expose the data placement flexibility of leading-edge storage architectures such as Ceph. The CohortFS Placement layout delivers new algorithmic placement strategies (e.g., CRUSH, client-side striping and erasure coding) directly to clients. Metastripe layouts (originally proposed by Mike Eisler) continue the evolution of pNFS to metadata, to support scale out filesystem namespaces, scaling for huge numbers of clients, and scalable directory operations through directory striping. The CohortFS team are proud collaborators with CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives), IBM, Panasas, Open-pNFS, and others around the world on the open source Ganesha NFSv4 project, and committed to playing an engaged and creative role in Ceph development community as our project matures. CohortFS, LLC has been funded by NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I and Phase II (Project Abstract) NSF TECP and and Phase IIB grants, as well as Michigan Emerging Technology Fund.

Scrible

Grant in 2011
Scrible, Inc. is a technology company based in San Mateo, California, that offers a cloud-based platform for online reading and research. Founded in 2009, Scrible allows users to bookmark, highlight, and annotate web pages directly in their browsers, facilitating the organization, sharing, and collaboration of Internet-based research. This service addresses the outdated methods traditionally used for research, such as printing and handwritten notes, by providing efficient tools that streamline the research process. Scrible's platform is particularly beneficial for individuals in environments where the effective management and analysis of information are crucial, helping users catalog, search, and filter web content seamlessly. The company aims to transform how people conduct research online, making it easier and more efficient to gather and manage information in the digital age.
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