U.S. Small Business Administration awards 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage Two prize to Greater Seattle Partners

Greater Seattle Partners awarded $150,000 in prize money to implement Growth Accelerator Partnerships to support innovation

WASHINGTON– Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) as a Stage Two winner for the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. GSP will receive a $150,000 cash prize to build strategic partnerships that will support the launch, growth, and scale of STEM/R&D-focused small businesses.

This year’s Competition has brought together organizations, entities, groups, and individuals beyond geographic boundaries to support innovators and innovation needed to confront the challenges of today. After winning a $50,000 Stage One cash prize earlier this year, Greater Seattle Partners continues its efforts to foster and facilitate a thriving national ecosystem that advances equitable investment in innovative high-growth small businesses.

“The Greater Seattle Export Accelerator was designed to engage with the broader community to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the international trade ecosystem. Our goal is to create opportunities that are accessible and inclusive to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, communities and industries who can benefit from exporting. We are absolutely thrilled by an outstanding lineup of innovative companies in this inaugural class, and we look forward to supporting the growth and scale of these small businesses,” said Brian Surratt, chief executive officer of GSP.

Winners of Stage Two were selected through a multi-tier review panel process by experts in entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and strategic planning. Applications were reviewed by expert judges and then the Catalyst partnerships participated in an interview process with members of the Office of Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development team.

The SBA intends the Growth Accelerator Partnerships to help entrepreneurs commercialize their R&D efforts by using Stage Two awards for activities including training and mentorship, introducing entrepreneurs to customers and suppliers, and providing opportunities to pitch investors. The Competition also targets accelerators that support businesses and/or geographies that traditionally face barriers in obtaining R&D funds and investment capital.

For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, please visit www.sbir.gov/accelerators  

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