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 Navigation and Mapping

Xona Space Systems

Grant in 2022
Xona Space Systems, Inc. is a developer of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) satellite solutions, focusing on delivering accurate and secure real-time services. The company offers the Xona Pulsar, which provides a high-power signal from a constellation of low-cost Low Earth Orbiting satellites. This approach aims to enhance availability and location precision for its customers. Established in 2019 and based in San Mateo, California, Xona Space Systems is committed to advancing satellite technology to meet the growing demand for reliable PNT services.

Boston Geospatial

Grant in 2021
Boston Geospatial, founded in 2019 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, focuses on developing a geospatial data platform that facilitates access to various satellite data providers. The platform allows users to search and compare a vast array of geospatial data, which can be analyzed in multiple ways. This capability is particularly beneficial for operators and risk managers in critical infrastructure sectors, as it enables them to obtain valuable geospatial insights essential for informed decision-making.

Map Collective

Grant in 2021
Map Collective specializes in developing an interactive mapping platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze and visualize environmental data. This Software-as-a-Service solution integrates seamlessly with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide users, including companies and governments, with essential tools for monitoring various environmental factors such as air quality, carbon footprints, and supply chain emissions. The platform facilitates traceability and emissions mapping, supports biodiversity assessments, aids in energy hub planning, and assists in transitioning to a circular economy. By offering a comprehensive view of the carbon impact on the environment, Map Collective empowers users to make informed decisions regarding sustainability and environmental management.
Armada Marine Robotics develops asymmetric propulsion technology for enhancing marine maneuverability. The company's headquarters are in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Mapless AI

Grant in 2020
Mapless AI is a research company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, focused on developing safe alternatives for transportation systems. The company has created a remote vehicle operations platform tailored for autonomous driving applications. This platform features a proprietary fail-operational safety system and optimized low-latency connectivity, allowing for safe and scalable solutions. Additionally, it offers a fleet-friendly retrofit that can be easily installed on existing vehicles, enabling customers to deploy and operate autonomous vehicles efficiently and cost-effectively. Through its innovations, Mapless AI aims to accelerate the adoption of autonomous vehicles without the necessity of human drivers.

Box Robotics

Grant in 2020
Box Robotics is a mobile robotics startup bringing high-definition maps, three-dimensional LiDAR, and deep learning to the warehouse and manufacturing automation space.

Xona Space Systems

Grant in 2020
Xona Space Systems, Inc. is a developer of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) satellite solutions, focusing on delivering accurate and secure real-time services. The company offers the Xona Pulsar, which provides a high-power signal from a constellation of low-cost Low Earth Orbiting satellites. This approach aims to enhance availability and location precision for its customers. Established in 2019 and based in San Mateo, California, Xona Space Systems is committed to advancing satellite technology to meet the growing demand for reliable PNT services.
Non-Inertial Navigation Technology develops and deploys Non-Inertial Navigation systems and devices. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Yodel Labs

Grant in 2019
Yodel Labs' mission is to provide the most accurate location services in the mobile device industry.

Manifold Robotics

Grant in 2019
Manufacturer of drone technology intended to enable safe, robust autonomous navigation in complex environments. The company makes technical payloads that open a gateway to new capabilities for drone flight along electric utility rights-of-way through the detection of power line electromagnetic fields (EMF) as a navigational source allowing drones to automate power line inspections, enabling various industries to create a safer method for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight, boost efficiency, and cut the cost of power line inspections in half.

Vianair

Grant in 2018
Vianair develops an airspace information model to aid in the design and planning of airspace. The company is found in The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in New York.

AutoModality

Grant in 2017
AutoModality Inc. specializes in developing flight control software for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allows these systems to operate autonomously in GPS-denied environments. Founded in 2014 and based in Syracuse, New York, the company focuses on providing technology for automated close-up inspections, particularly in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors. AutoModality's software enables drones to navigate challenging locations, such as bridges, culverts, and cell towers, while delivering live streaming data to users, facilitating detailed inspections comparable to those conducted by human operators. The company also manufactures drone platforms that utilize off-the-shelf components, enhancing their inspection capabilities.

WEARWORKS

Grant in 2017
WearWorks is a haptics design company based in New York, specializing in developing innovative products that convey information through touch. Their flagship product, the WAYBAND™, is a wearable haptic navigation device designed specifically for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This device guides users to their destinations using vibrations, allowing them to receive navigational information without relying on visual or auditory cues. By offloading sensory demands from the eyes and ears, the WAYBAND™ offers a more intuitive way to navigate the environment, enhancing independence and mobility for its users.

Yodel Labs

Grant in 2017
Yodel Labs' mission is to provide the most accurate location services in the mobile device industry.

Navipoint Genomics

Grant in 2016
Navipoint Genomics is a bioinformatics analysis software developer that specializes in analyzing entire human genomes. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

GuidaBot

Grant in 2016
GuidaBot, LLC was formed in 2014 as a joint venture between Fannin Innovation Studio and the University of Houston to develop an MRI-compatible robotic manipulator for automated and precise control of minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures.

Arogi, Inc.

Angel Round in 2016
Arogi builds open source software for developers to optimize site location, routing, and logistics. Integrating geospatial analyses and artificial intelligence, Arogi tools enable organizations to save time, reduce costs, and increase market share.

TRX Systems

Grant in 2014
TRX Systems, Inc. is the developer of NEON, an indoor location system that delivers precise, infrastructure free tracking of personnel inside buildings where GPS is not available and in outdoor urban centers where GPS is unreliable. NEON greatly improves situational awareness and command effectiveness through the use of advanced sensor fusion, time of flight ranging, and mapping algorithms that deliver precise, real time location of personnel in GPS-denied locations.

MobiLaps

Grant in 2012
MobiLaps LLC is a software technology and professional services firm that focuses on providing tailored technology solutions and consulting services to both government and commercial clients. The company specializes in addressing mission-critical IT challenges by developing information technology and systems engineering applications. With a strong emphasis on networks and geospatial domains, MobiLaps leverages deep domain knowledge to deliver advanced technology services that help clients navigate complex technical and strategic issues. Through its commitment to integrity and innovation, MobiLaps aims to enhance operational efficiency and support clients in achieving their objectives.

Anchovi Labs

Grant in 2012
Anchovi Labs is developing a new way to organize, browse and share your personal photos.

TRX Systems

Grant in 2012
TRX Systems, Inc. is the developer of NEON, an indoor location system that delivers precise, infrastructure free tracking of personnel inside buildings where GPS is not available and in outdoor urban centers where GPS is unreliable. NEON greatly improves situational awareness and command effectiveness through the use of advanced sensor fusion, time of flight ranging, and mapping algorithms that deliver precise, real time location of personnel in GPS-denied locations.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.