Part III: Proven Case Studies from FAST and SBIR/STTR Success

Tom Kenny
Jul 17, 2025
3 min read

The FAST Partnership Program and the SBIR/STTR ecosystem are designed to empower early-stage companies tackling complex, high-impact challenges—especially those with scalable solutions and limited access to traditional venture capital. When these companies pair the outreach and resources of a FAST partner with the deep expertise of a strategic firm like Grant Management Associates (GMA), the path to commercialization can accelerate dramatically.

Who Are the Ideal Candidates for FAST + GMA Support?

The companies that benefit most from this combined support typically include:

Deep tech startups in fields such as AI, robotics, aerospace, and quantum computing, where technical barriers and capital needs are high.
Biotech and medtech innovators developing novel therapeutics, diagnostics, or devices, often requiring rigorous validation and regulatory navigation.
Clean energy ventures advancing solutions in grid resilience, hydrogen, or battery storage, where federal priorities and funding are strong.
Rural and minority-owned businesses in manufacturing, agtech, or water technologies, often underserved by private capital markets.
University spinouts transitioning lab research into funded prototypes, needing guidance on both commercialization and compliance.

Case Examples: FAST and GMA in Action

Microporous LLC (Energy Storage & Advanced Materials)

From technical barriers to a $100M DOE award—GMA’s guidance made the difference.

Microporous, a leader in advanced membrane technology for energy storage, partnered with GMA to develop high-performing SBIR proposals for the Department of Energy. GMA’s support spanned proposal development, partner matchmaking, and post-award compliance.

Result: A $100 million DOE award fueling both innovation and commercial growth in a capital-intensive sector.

Barrio Eléctrico (Community-Based Solar Infrastructure)

Bringing solar power to underserved communities—powered by GMA’s strategic support.

This mission-driven company focused on energy equity used GMA’s ecosystem mapping and application expertise to secure SBIR funding aligned with the DOE’s Energy Justice priorities.

Outcome: A successful grant to expand community-based solar infrastructure in vulnerable regions.

ASHRAE-Linked Research Teams (Built Environment and Health Tech)

Advancing healthy buildings with GMA’s compliance and grant expertise.

GMA guided multidisciplinary teams working on HVAC and indoor air quality research for health-focused SBIRs. By aligning objectives with federal health and sustainability goals—and ensuring full document readiness—these teams secured grant funding and met rigorous compliance standards.

Why This Approach Works

The FAST program expands access, but execution is what turns opportunity into success. GMA’s experience, infrastructure, and technical depth are especially valuable for:

First-time applicants who need to navigate complex requirements.
Small companies in highly regulated or technical sectors, where compliance and strategy are as important as innovation itself.
Organizations seeking to integrate federal non-dilutive funding into their growth strategy, often in partnership with local FAST awardees.

Helping You Win

For innovation-driven companies and hubs ready to scale, the combination of FAST outreach and GMA’s strategic advisory is a proven formula for SBIR/STTR success.

Explore how your company or innovation hub can benefit from SBIR/STTR funding through the FAST Partnership Program and GMA’s support:

If you’d like to see more case studies or learn how similar partnerships have driven growth for other organizations, you might find these resources insightful:

PartnerStack: Revenue-Driving Partnerships in Action
Startup Case Studies from Founder Institute
Case Studies: Successful Partnerships That Have Helped Startups Raise Capital

The FAST Partnership Program is a vital gateway to equitable innovation funding. With strategic execution from partners like GMA, early-stage companies can transform opportunity into lasting impact—fueling breakthroughs in technology, health, energy, and beyond.