The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced StartingBlock as a Stage One winner for the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. StartingBlock will receive a $50,000 cash prize to build strategic partnerships that will support the launch, growth, and scale of STEM/R&D-focused small businesses.
StartingBlock’s award-winning model will amplify the impact and success of Growth Accelerator Partnerships and will work to foster and facilitate a thriving national ecosystem that advances equitable investment in innovative high growth small businesses.
This award recognizes the Madison region’s strengths in innovation and entrepreneurship. StartingBlock will use the award to expand programmatic activity to align with the Madison region’s economic strengths including information technology, advanced manufacturing and the production of food, beverage, and agriculture.
"This award from SB
A clearly indicates that Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has reached a level of maturity that allows us to compete with anyone in the US.”
- Scott Mosley, StartingBlock’s Executive Director
Winners of Stage One were selected through a multi-tier review panel process with experts in entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and strategic planning both inside and out of the federal government. Applications and pitch videos were reviewed by expert judges submitted by the finalists.
About StartingBlock
Since StartingBlock Madison opened its doors in 2018, 945 entrepreneurs and small business employees have been resident in our 50,000 sqft entrepreneurial hub. StartingBlock offers multiple programs to support entrepreneurs in the Madison region including, Madworks, Level Set and the Innovate 608 podcast.
For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, please visit www.sbir.gov/accelerators.