Investment thesis
FIPSE, part of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education, funds grant programs aimed at improving postsecondary education outcomes. Its programs support institutions of higher education—including HBCUs, TCCUs, and Minority Serving Institutions—in areas such as student basic needs, veteran student success, IT and digital learning infrastructure modernization, research and development infrastructure, open textbooks, spatial computing, modeling and simulation, cybersecurity education, and rural postsecondary economic development. Awards are non-dilutive grants directed at educational institutions to spur innovation, expand access, increase completion, and build workforce capacity across the United States.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 6, 2026.
SBIR/STTR awards · non-dilutive funding
Federal grants and contracts to small businesses — no equity taken. Awards on record 1983–2023.
1,043 Phase I · 364 Phase II · most-funded states: CA, NY, CO, VA, MD
| Recent awardees | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKO LABS, INC.New York, NY | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| GAIAXUS LLCGermantown, MD | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| MNDTRST Inc.New Haven, CT | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| SIRIUS THINKING, LTDNew York, NY | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| QUERIUM CORPORATIONAustin, TX | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| INDELIBLE LEARNING INCPalos Verdes Estates, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| CHARMTECH LABS LLCBuffalo, NY | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| SCRIBLE, INC.San Mateo, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| SMART GIRLS HQ LLCCharlotte, NC | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| 2SIGMA SCHOOL INCSanta Clara, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| LIMINAL ESPORTS LLCGates Mills, OH | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| LITERABLY, INCBerkeley, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| SCIQUIRY, INC.McLean, VA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| VIZMOO LLCWynnewood, PA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| PLAYSPACES INC.Bloomfield, NJ | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| INFINID LEARNING INCProvo, UT | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| ALTEREA, INC.Palo Alto, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| APPRENDIS LLCBerlin, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| CHIBITRONICS INCNew Port Richey, FL | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| CHROMOSPHEREGlendale, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| DFUSION INC.Scouts Valley, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| Inletech LLCSan Diego, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| Innocent Technologies, LLC.Minneapolis, MN | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| KINOO, INC.Oakland, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $250K |
| SOWN TO GROW, INC.Oakland, CA | Phase II | 2022 | $1M |
| EDIFY TECHNOLOGIES, INCDenver, CO | Phase II | 2022 | $1M |
| XSEL LABS INCEvanston, IL | Phase II | 2022 | $1M |
| FUTURE ENGINEERS LLCBurbank, CA | Phase II | 2022 | $1M |
| ALCHEMIE SOLUTIONS, INC.Troy, MI | Phase II | 2022 | $1M |
| SOTERIX MEDICAL, INC.New York, NY | Phase II | 2022 | $1M |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are non-dilutive — the agency takes no equity.
What they invest in
from 103 of 146 portfolio companiesEdTech ×64AI & Machine Learning ×31Healthtech ×23SaaS ×21Hardware ×18Deep Tech ×17Digital Health ×15Defense Tech ×14
HQs:United States×60
Investments · 146 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 112022 · 72021 · 132020 · 72019 · 102018 · 82017 · 82016 · 72015 · 52014 · 112013 · 42012 · 11106 dated
AbleLink Smart Living Technologies develops research-based assistive and cognitive technologies, including GPS-guided travel apps, step-by-step daily living supports, simplified desktop software, and accessible cloud-based survey systems.
Digital HealthHealthtechImpact & Social Good
Dan Davies(Founder & President)
Co-investorsID VenturesInvest Michigan
Caimber develops AI-powered literacy assessment and personalized learning tools for students in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
AI & Machine LearningEdTech
AnthroTronix is an R&D firm specializing in advanced interface technology, wearable computing systems, and robotic control systems for commercial and governmental customers.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechMedical DevicesRoboticsSilver Spring, US
Corinna E. Lathan(Founder and Scientific Advisor)Jack Maxwell Vice
Cognitopia offers web-based self-management and executive functioning software used to set goals, track assignments and progress, and maintain communication for individuals in special education, independent living, and employment settings.
Digital HealthEdTechSaaS
Tom Keating(CEO & Founder)
Attainment Company develops research-based digital curricula and educational resources for students with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Digital HealthEdTechImpact & Social GoodVerona, US
Don Bastian(Founder, Chairman of the Board & Managing Director)Autumn Garza(President & CEO)
Barron Associates develops human interface technologies using motion tracking, gesture recognition, and haptics to serve people with disabilities and specialized users such as astronauts.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsHardwareHealthtechRobotics
Behavioral Technologies Consulting Organization (BTCO) provides organizational and behavior management consultation, supervision, and training in applied behavior analysis (ABA) for ABA therapy providers, school districts, and supervisees pursuing Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentials.
Digital HealthHealthtechMental HealthBasehor, US
Dr. Linda Heitzman-Powell(Founder)Kimberly Becker(COO (Chief Operating Officer))Christopher Powell(Financial Officer)
Caprock Creative is a creative agency that develops marketing and storytelling campaigns for travel and hospitality destinations, helping bring place narratives to life for potential visitors.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentTravel & HospitalityDallas, US
Chad(Founder & Exec. Creative Director)
Carnegie Learning develops artificial intelligence-powered K-12 education technology, curriculum, and professional learning solutions for teachers and students.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS
Barry Malkinin
Co-investorsDraper Triangle
Capti ReadBasix is a diagnostic reading assessment for secondary students (grades 3-12) that identifies the root causes of reading difficulties through six individual subtests, benchmark reporting, Lexile measures, and dyslexia risk screening.
EdTechSaaS
Chibitronics creates peel-and-stick electronics components and paper-friendly microcontrollers designed to introduce craft makers, students, and educators to circuits and coding.
ConsumerCreator EconomyEdTechHardware
Jie Qi
Core-LX provides curriculum solutions for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs serving grades 6-14, aggregating over 450 modular courses from multiple content providers aligned to state standards and industry certifications.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS
Creare is an engineering and research company with advanced laboratory and fabrication facilities for experimental work across scales and temperatures.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareHardwareNew MaterialsSpace TechHanover, US
Dr. Jay Rozzi(Vice President, Principal Engineer)Jeff Breedlove(Senior Staff)Dr. Odile Clavier(Senior Staff)Dr. Patrick Magari(President, Principal Engineer)
Edify develops learning software programs focused on music education and AI-personalized reading.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechBoulder, US
Jacob Zax(Director, President and Chief Executive Officer)inRhys Lindmark(Director and Treasurer)inZachary Sulsky(Director and Secretary)
Co-investorsMatchstick VenturesTechstars
EdSurge is an editorially independent digital news site covering education topics including edtech innovation, teaching practices, student engagement, and AI in education.
EdTechMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsNewSchools Venture FundOmidyar NetworkReach Capital
EdMod provides a collaboration platform for co-teaching teams to share lesson plans, strategies, and accommodations for students with learning challenges.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS
Co-investorsBrass Ring Ventures
Engineering Acoustics, Inc. develops vibrotactile and haptic systems for defense, entertainment, simulation, aviation, and healthcare applications, and manufactures underwater and down-hole acoustic transducers for geophysical and oceanography industries.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareHealthtech
Gary A. Zets(CEO / President)Bruce J.P. Mortimer, PhD(Director of Research & Development)
Flint Rehab offers a remote neuro recovery program for stroke and other neurological injury survivors, combining therapist-designed home exercises with monthly coaching check-ins to support continued progress when in-person therapy ends or is unavailable.
Digital HealthHardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesWellness & FitnessIrvine, US
Nizan Friedman(CEO)Dan Zondervan(Vice President)David Reinkensmeyer(Clinical Advisor)Mark Bachman(Technical Advisor)
Coralville, US
Jerry Zimmerman(Executive Officer, Director)Chuck Peters(Director)Allison Zimmerman(Executive Officer)Carolyn Brown(Executive Officer, Director)Hass Machlab(Director)
Future Engineers administers educational STEM competitions, including the NASA TechRise Student Challenge, which lets sixth to 12th-grade student teams design, build, and launch experiments on commercial suborbital flights.
EdTechSpace Tech
Gigantic Mechanic is a game and experience design studio that creates interactive experiences for museums, cities, and brands through social and physical play.
ConsumerEdTechGamingMedia & EntertainmentNew York, US
Mattia Romeo(Founder)Gregory Trefry(Partner & Game Designer)in
Hats & Ladders provides a digital career exploration curriculum and platform for K-12 students to discover career pathways, develop workplace skills, and plan their educational and professional futures.
Creator EconomyEdTechFuture of WorkSaaS
Leah Potter(President & Co-Founder)David Langendoen(CFO & Co-Founder)Scott Brewster(Director of Partnerships & Co-Founder)
Immersed Games is a research-driven studio that develops game-based learning tools and platforms backed by scientific evidence.
EdTechGamingGainesville, US
Lindsey Tropf(Executive Officer, Director)
Mission.io builds immersive learning experiences that position students as protagonists in narrative-driven educational programs, delivered through field trips, camps, after-school programs, and simulations.
EdTechSaaS
Innovative Design Labs is an R&D company that designs and prototypes products for consumer, medical, and education markets, offering services in software development, embedded sensors, mechanical design, and wearable technology to researchers, manufacturers, and commercialization partners.
Deep TechEdTechHardwareHealthtechIoTMedical DevicesMinneapolis, US
Co-investorsImagine K12
KIKO LABS INC. builds adaptive mobile games grounded in cognitive neuroscience research for young children.
EdTech
Grace Wardhana
Co-investors500 Global
BioDive is an immersive educational VR experience that teaches marine biology and ecosystem science through interactive investigations of venomous marine snails.
EdTechGaming
ChristopherCorinneJohnNoelleOscarAlyssa
Kibeam makes a screen-free, AI-powered handheld wand that works with real paper books to teach early literacy skills such as phonological awareness, vocabulary, and decoding.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechHardwareOakland, US
David Stiehr(Founder)
Kooapps is a mobile gaming studio and publisher with over 1 billion downloads across titles such as Snake.io, Stacky Bird and Pictoword.
ConsumerGamingMedia & EntertainmentSeattle, US
Releasing Writers provides professional development and training for educators on evidence-based writing instruction practices such as Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) and Structured Written Expression.
EdTech
Dr. Leslie Laud(Founder and Director)
LearnPlatform is a for-benefit research organization that provides an integrated platform and evidence evaluation engine for K-12 school districts, states, and education technology providers to assess, implement, and optimize education solutions.
CybersecurityEdTechGovTechSaaSRaleigh, US
Co-investorsNew Markets Venture PartnersTechstars
Lightup develops Halo AR, an AI-powered augmented reality creator studio that lets users build and share 3D and holographic experiences from a phone or tablet without coding.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEdTechSan Mateo, US
Tarun Pondicherry(Founder)in
Co-investorsDorm Room
Co-investorsImagine K12TIMIA Capital
LiveSchool provides a house points system that enables schools to organize students into teams and award points for positive behaviors, creating friendly competition to boost engagement and school culture.
EdTechSaaSNashville, US
Matthew Rubinstein(Executive Officer, Director)Eric Rubinstein(Executive Officer, Director)Matt
BoardPerry Chase(Director)Richard Theobald(Director)Stephen Butler(Director)
MindTrust provides contract software development teams, offering businesses flexible access to experienced developers for building web applications, mobile apps, and digital products.
Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkMarketplacesSaaSSector Agnostic
Muzology develops music-based learning solutions designed to improve math education and reduce performance gaps for students of all abilities, including neurodiverse and special needs learners.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerEdTech
Dr. Lana Israel(CEO)Bob Doyle
Nimble is a platform that connects teachers with K-12 schools and districts to improve hiring and workforce management.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSMiami, US
Lauren Dachille(Founder/CEO)in
Co-investorsDorm RoomImagine K12Target GlobalY CombinatorAccelBreyer Capital+5 more
OKO provides an AI-powered platform offering games and puzzles designed for small group instruction in upper elementary classrooms, combining academic learning with social-emotional development.
AI & Machine LearningEdTech
Laurence Holt(Co-founder)Matt Miller(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsBrass Ring Ventures
Orthocare Innovations designs and manufactures prosthetic and orthotic devices that automatically adapt to users' movements and integrate mobile technology to deliver real-time activity data to clinicians.
HealthtechMedical DevicesRoboticsSaaS
David Boone
Peerceptiv develops learning platforms based on peer collaboration research to help organizations and schools improve learning outcomes and assess skills.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechHR TechSaaSPittsburgh, US
Mark Limbach(CEO)Jonathan Olshock(COO)Jake Halloran(CTO)
Parametric Studio develops STEM software and maker kits designed to teach science, technology, engineering and math to students through hands-on, technology-enabled learning experiences.
ConsumerEdTechHardwareSaaS
PhotoZig offers mobile apps and educational programs for family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, helping them develop caregiving skills and reduce stress.
AdTechCreator EconomyDigital HealthHealthtechMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentMental HealthSaaSWellness & FitnessMoffett Field, US
Planet3 develops STEAM learning programs and digital educational tools for K-12 students, combining learning science research with technology to improve education outcomes.
EdTechGamingWashington, US
Kelly McGrath(Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer)inAlbert Yu-Min Lin(Co-Founder)Vijay Lakshman(Founder)Tim Kelly(Co-Founder)
BoardSean Gerrity(Director)Rob Roy(Director)
Co-investorsCentral Texas Angel Network
Revibe offers a wearable platform that delivers personalized vibration and text reminders to help users improve focus, attention, and self-regulation.
AI & Machine LearningDigital Health
Co-investorsTamiami AngelThe Launch PlaceWolfpack Investor Network
SEACORP delivers engineering services and technology solutions for submarine electronic systems, combat systems, electronic warfare systems, and sensors to the U.S.
Advanced ManufacturingCybersecurityDefense TechMiddletown, US
Roy Kapani(Owner/Leader)Dave Cadorette(Senior Vice President)Mike Molino(Executive (Strategy/M&A))Anthony Schulien(Chief Financial Officer)Neel Gopalani(Executive (Quality/Business Development))Greg Widmer(Executive (Contracts/Procurement))
Sendero Group provides accessible GPS technology and related multimedia content including videos and podcasts focused on navigation solutions.
ConsumerDigital HealthHealthtechIoTMobility & Transportation
Mike May(Founder)
Boulder, US
Krista Marks(President and Chief Executive Officer)Sean Kelly(Secretary and Vice President of Engineering)Tom Fischaber(Treasurer and Vice President of Operations)Brent Milne(Vice President of Research)Jeff Ward(Vice President of Product)
BoardJason Mendelson(Director)
Co-investorsFoundry
Sirius Thinking creates animated and puppet characters along with educational content for media platforms, drawing on talent from major children's entertainment companies.
Creator EconomyEdTechMedia & EntertainmentNew York City, US
John SculleyChristopher CerfNorman StilesMichael Frith
Ingenia Learning (formerly Smart Girls HQ) designs career-connected STEM learning experiences—digital tools, curriculum kits, experiential spaces, and custom workforce programs—for K–12 students, educators, and families.
EdTech
Sown To Grow provides a K-12 social-emotional learning platform with CASEL- and ASCA-aligned curriculum, student pre/post surveys, and professional development for educators.
EdTechSaaSOakland, US
Rupa Chandra Gupta(Executive Officer, Director)inDennis Li(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsImagine K12Top Corner CapitalScout Fund
Speak Agent develops AI-powered instructional technology designed to support academic language development across K-12 content areas.
AI & Machine LearningEdTech
Ben Grimley(CEO)Andrea E. Blair(Secondary Mathematics Lead)Brian Camus(Secondary Science Lead)
STAR Autism Support provides training and implementation support for educators and school districts using evidence-based autism intervention programs including STAR, Links, and SOLER curricula.
EdTechHealthtechMental HealthPortland, US
Dr. Joel Arick(Founder)Sheila Magee(Founder)Dr. Arick(Lead Author, STAR Program)
StoryWorld is a multilingual K-2 literacy program that combines interactive stories, phonics, and printable worksheets with a teacher dashboard to track reading, listening, speaking, and writing progress.
EdTechSaaS
Dr. Rebecca SilvermanMichael Watkins(Fmr. Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools)Dr. Ron Marx(Dean University of Arizona, College of Education (Emeritus))John Brown(Board Member)Ross Uchimura(Board Member)
Stottler Henke develops AI-based software solutions for complex problem-solving, scheduling, training simulations, intrusion detection, and data visualization, serving defense, aerospace, and government agencies.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareGovTechSan Mateo, US
Andrea Stottler(Co-Founder and Director)Dick Stottler(Co-Founder and Director)
Teachley develops math learning and intervention programs for students in grades K-5, using interactive lessons and games to build fact fluency, math strategies, problem-solving, and fraction skills.
EdTech
Rachael Labrecque, PhD(Founder)inDana Pagar, PhD(Founder)in
Co-investorsDorm Room
Tech-X Corporation develops software products for designing and predicting systems involving electromagnetics and plasmas, serving research scientists, industry, and government customers in scientific computing and fusion energy research.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsEnergyEnterprise SoftwareSaaSBoulder, US
Dr. John R. Cary(Chief Technology Officer)in
Mercury provides security technologies and system security engineering services for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, including cryptography, secure boot, and physical protection solutions designed to prevent reverse engineering and protect against cyber threats.
CybersecurityDefense TechHardware
Touch Graphics develops tactile graphics printing methods and interactive devices that enable blind and visually impaired people to access visual information through raised line diagrams and haptic feedback.
EdTechHardwareHealthtech
Steve Landau(Design and Fabrication)
Triad Interactive Media provides federal R&D and immersive learning engineering, and offers H-OS, a framework for helping organizations adopt novel technologies like AI, automation, and robotics by addressing workforce friction and driving operational adoption.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechFuture of Work
Vantage Point Consulting is a veteran-owned small business (VOSB/WOSB) that delivers technology programs for U.S. federal agencies and higher education institutions, including data tools like Indiana's Return on College calculator.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareGovTechWashington, US
Cristine Carpenter(President, Vantage Point Consulting; Founder, Solari Technologies)
Vcom3D develops medical simulation and immersive training solutions including mixed reality systems, virtual equipment, and integration platforms for healthcare organizations, military programs, and academic institutions to enhance clinical training and team readiness.
Defense TechEdTechHealthtechMedical Devices
Carol Wideman(Co-founder and CEO)Ed Sims(Co-founder and CTO)in
An online coding platform offering self-paced lessons and project-based courses for middle and high school students to learn web development and programming through hands-on creative applications like video filters and augmented reality.
EdTechSan Francisco, US
Alexandra Diracles(Founder/CEO)Melissa Halfon(Founder/CTO)inLeandra T.(Founder)in
Co-investorsNYU Innovation Venture FundY CombinatorCherry VenturesRethink Capital PartnersRethink EducationZhenFund
ViewPlus manufactures braille embossers and tactile graphics hardware and software to make educational and technical information accessible to blind and visually impaired students and professionals.
EdTechHardwareHealthtechCorvallis, US
John Gardner(Founder)Carolyn Gardner(Co-founder)Dan GardnerSusannah Gardner
Vizmoo builds Groove Catcher, a virtual reality-based platform for adjunctive therapy interventions serving neurodiverse individuals such as those with Autism, ADHD, and sensory integration disorders.
Digital HealthEdTechMental HealthPhiladelphia, US
Michael Stauffer(Founder & CEO)John Weathers(Research & Development)Karen Dehaven(Co-Creator & Clinical Advisor)Allison Tuso(Occupational Therapist (OTD OTR/L))
Vortant Technologies is a design, technology, and software development firm that develops products and solutions through research and collaboration.
HardwareHealthtech
WesTest provides test and diagnostic solutions for the aerospace and defense industry, including a proprietary Software Development Environment that integrates with existing test platforms and automates documentation generation.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechDeveloper ToolsHardwareHill Air Force Base area, US
XSB provides AI-powered data intelligence solutions that convert unstructured data into actionable knowledge for engineering, procurement, and supply chain teams.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
Rupert Hopkins(Founder & CEO)David Warren(Co-Founder & Vice President of Sciences)
ZUNI provides a curated platform of free and open educational resources for PreK-8th grade students, teachers, parents, and homeschools.
EdTechConway, US
Tina McCord(President & CEO)in
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Nimble · techcrunch.com · Jul 5, 2026
Revibe · bridgemena.com · Nov 25, 2025
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- What sectors does Department of Education focus on?
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