Department of Transportation
Grant agencyInvestment thesis
Funds transportation technology through SBIR — safety, infrastructure monitoring, and mobility systems.
SBIR/STTR awards · non-dilutive funding
Federal grants and contracts to small businesses — no equity taken. Awards on record 1983–2023.
845 Phase I · 394 Phase II · most-funded states: CA, MA, MD, VA, TX
| Recent awardees | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIWAYSION INCBellevue, WA | Phase II | 2023 | $497.4K |
| AIWAYSION INCBellevue, WA | Phase I | 2023 | $150K |
| X-BIOMEDICAL INCNewtown Square, PA | Phase I | 2023 | $146.9K |
| OCEANIT LABORATORIES INCHonolulu, HI | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| ENGINEERING & SOFTWARE CONSULTANTS, LLCChantilly, VA | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| INTELLISENSE SYSTEMS INCTorrance, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $1000K |
| Sciperio, Inc.Orlando, FL | Phase II | 2023 | $999.9K |
| ADELPHI TECHNOLOGY INCRedwood City, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $997.1K |
| FBS INCBellefonte, PA | Phase II | 2023 | $991.8K |
| Connected Wise LLCOrlando, FL | Phase II | 2023 | $498.6K |
| SPLUSM LLCOrlando, FL | Phase II | 2023 | $424.9K |
| Tranalytics, LLCBedford, MA | Phase II | 2023 | $423.6K |
| RIGHT CLICK SOLUTIONS INC.Santa Monica, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $422.5K |
| TDA RESEARCH, INC.Wheat Ridge, CO | Phase I | 2023 | $200K |
| NEWPORT SENSORS INCNew York, NY | Phase I | 2023 | $200K |
| ARIES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LLCWesterville, OH | Phase I | 2023 | $200K |
| TRITON SYSTEMS, INC.Chelmsford, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $200K |
| FAGAN CONSULTING LLCPrattville, AL | Phase I | 2023 | $150K |
| TDA RESEARCH, INC.Wheat Ridge, CO | Phase I | 2023 | $150K |
| CLR ANALYTICS INCIrvine, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $150K |
| NDT CORPORATIONSterling, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $150K |
| PROTECTION ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS LLCDripping Springs, TX | Phase I | 2023 | $149.9K |
| Innovation Research And Training, Inc.Durham, NC | Phase I | 2023 | $148.1K |
| HAAS, INCChicago, IL | Phase II | 2022 | $500K |
| AIWAYSION INCBellevue, WA | Phase I | 2022 | $143.1K |
| PULSAR INFORMATICS, INC.Seattle, WA | Phase II | 2022 | $999.9K |
| OPTOWARES INCWoburn, MA | Phase II | 2022 | $999.9K |
| CALLENTIS CONSULTING GROUP LLCAustin, TX | Phase II | 2022 | $999.8K |
| ENERGY STORAGE SAFETY PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL LLCDetroit, MI | Phase II | 2022 | $988.4K |
| CREARE LLCHanover, NH | Phase II | 2022 | $985.1K |
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 111 of 164 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×68Hardware ×44Defense Tech ×32AI & Machine Learning ×23Advanced Manufacturing ×20New Materials ×19Mobility & Transportation ×14Energy ×13
HQs:United States×41
Investments · 164 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 72022 · 82021 · 112020 · 132019 · 102018 · 92017 · 82016 · 22015 · 222014 · 22013 · 12012 · 5123 dated
AeroVironment (AV) develops integrated defense systems and autonomous robotic platforms across air, land, sea, and space domains, including unmanned aircraft, loitering munitions, counter-UAS systems, directed energy, electronic warfare, and AI/autonomy software.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechRobotics
Adelphi Technology manufactures neutron generator products, including deuterium-tritium, deuterium-deuterium, and thermal (moderated) neutron sources with yields ranging from 10^7 to over 10^10 neutrons per second.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Advance MNM designs, prototypes, and manufactures advanced materials aimed at reducing weight while improving safety and efficiency for demanding applications.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechNew Materials
Advanced Optical Technologies (AOT) provides material characterization services and sensor technologies, including crystallographic non-destructive testing, orientation imaging, grain-boundary and microtexture analysis, and quality control.
Deep TechHardwareNew Materials
ATGI develops turbomachinery and sensor technologies for defense and commercial aerospace markets, including high-power ram air turbines, non-contacting seals, airborne pod systems, and optical sensors for cryogenic propellants and fuel tanks.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
ATR Corp provides engineering services and specialized products including ship signatures technology, modeling and simulation, technical publications, and prototypes and production, largely supporting U.S.
Defense TechHardwareRoboticsBeltsville, US
Agnik develops vehicle data-mining and telematics products that analyze data from OBD devices and smartphone sensors to produce analytics on vehicle health, driver behavior, and location.
AI & Machine LearningIoTMobility & Transportation
Aptima engineers technologies that integrate humans and technology to improve how individuals and teams train, develop, and perform in mission-critical settings, using AI, machine learning, data analytics, and modeling and simulation.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechWoburn, US
Daniel Serfaty(Founder & Executive Chairman)
Aries Science & Technology develops customized biobased and sustainable microsphere encapsulation solutions, including its proprietary Levupol and SiRamic platforms, for clients in specialized manufacturing industries.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechNew MaterialsColumbus, US
Callentis is an applied R&D and services company that integrates emerging technologies—including AI/ML, computational modeling, systems engineering, and data management—into practice-ready software and hardware solutions.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnergyAustin, US
Jociunaite(Founder & CEO)Dr. Drach(Co-Founder & President)Dr. Kargah-Ostadi(Vice President)
Charles River Analytics develops advanced AI, autonomy, and robotics systems—spanning sensor fusion, perception, and human-robot interaction—for applications including defense, homeland security threat detection, healthcare, and worker safety.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechRobotics
Continuum Dynamics Inc is a research and development firm serving government and industry, providing analysis, software R&D, and testing across fields such as rotorcraft, flight simulation, nuclear engineering, and numerical methods.
Deep TechDefense TechEnergy
Creare is an engineering research and development firm that solves complex technical problems and develops new technologies for industry and government customers.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Dr. Jay Rozzi(Senior Staff)Jeff Breedlove(Senior Staff)Dr. Odile Clavier(Senior Staff)Dr. Patrick Magari(Senior Staff)
A contract manufacturing and engineering supplier offering custom solutions delivered to clients across multiple industries.
Advanced ManufacturingHardware
Design Interactive develops technology and research services focused on human performance optimization, including human systems integration, extended reality, digital twins, and automated performance assessment.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software
Diversified Technical Systems (DTS) manufactures miniature, rugged data acquisition systems and sensors for test and measurement in harsh environments.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSeal Beach, US
Dynaflow, Inc. provides research and development services and products in fluid dynamics and material sciences, specializing in bubble dynamics, cavitation, fluid-structure interactions, and erosion testing.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsAnnapolis Junction, US
DZYNE Technologies builds unmanned and counter-unmanned (Counter-UAS) systems, including integrated ISR and multi-layered aerial threat defense architectures for military and defense operations across ground, sea, and air.
Deep TechDefense TechRobotics
Earth Science Systems (ESS) builds sensor-based inspection and maintenance equipment for infrastructure work, covering concrete structures, asphalt paving, road construction, and subsurface utility location and HDD navigation.
Construction TechDeep TechHardware
ESSPI develops battery safety systems built around BLISS (Battery Logistics Integrated Safety System), including the Li-Ion Locker product line for monitoring and mitigating fire, explosion, and thermal runaway risks during storage and transport of lithium-ion batteries across land, air, and sea.
EnergyHardwareIoT
Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus (Emc2) provides materials, structural integrity, and reliability engineering solutions, including failure analysis services, for industries such as nuclear power plants, oil and gas, and aircraft.
Deep TechEnergyNew MaterialsColumbus, US
Guidedwave develops ultrasonic guided wave technology and products for non-destructive testing (NDT) and structural health monitoring (SHM), including scanners, probes, hardware, and software for inspecting pipes, plates, storage tanks, and shells.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareState College, US
HAAS Alert operates a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) platform that delivers real-time safety alerts to drivers about roadway hazards, emergency vehicles, and roadside workers.
AI & Machine LearningIoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSaaSChicago, US
Cory Hohs(Co-founder & CEO)Noah Levens(Co-founder)Jigar Patel(Co-founder)
Co-investorsDoon CapitalMichigan Capital NetworkStacked CapitalTechstarsThree Tree VenturesVolition Capital+2 more
Harmonia provides engineering and technology services to government agencies to support their missions.
Enterprise SoftwareGovTech
InfoBeyond develops cybersecurity, AI, computer vision, and communications technologies for national defense and civilian organizations.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense Tech
Innerspec Technologies develops non-destructive testing (NDT) instruments and systems using techniques such as Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMAT), Phased Array UT, Eddy Current, and laser measurement.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
iRT is a behavioral sciences research company that conducts translational scientific studies, evaluation and technical-assistance projects, and develops research-based products such as media-literacy education programs aimed at substance misuse prevention.
Digital HealthEdTechHealthtechDurham, US
iAI Tech develops AI and machine learning solutions in computer vision, pattern recognition, and edge/IoT systems, applied to areas such as public safety, transportation, healthcare, and infrastructure.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechIoT
Prof. Liu(Founder & AI Visionary; Founder of the Open AI Team (OAIT))
IS4S is an employee-owned engineering and management company that integrates emerging technology into government-owned systems, developing software-defined positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) equipment, radios, and satellite ground control systems.
Deep TechDefense TechSpace Tech
Intellisense Systems designs and manufactures defense electronics and environmental monitoring systems, including meteorological/weather stations, avionics displays, and modular power management and distribution solutions.
Defense TechHardwareIoT
Interphase Materials works on projects related to surface and biological interfaces, including HVAC performance prediction, biocontamination control, and applications for power plants and maritime infrastructure.
CleantechDeep TechNew Materials
Volanno provides software platforms, cloud computing, AI/ML, data analytics, and program management services to transportation agencies and government clients across the US.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureGovTech
JENTEK Sensors builds non-contact eddy current testing systems for nondestructive evaluation, detecting defects and measuring material properties and geometry.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Luna develops fiber optic sensing, measurement and non-destructive testing systems for physical, mechanical and temperature measurement, along with photonic testing solutions for designing and testing optical components and networks.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Lynntech is a research and development company whose scientists and engineers create technologies across areas including artificial intelligence, medical diagnostic devices, hybrid energy systems, biomedical therapies, defense safety and training, and additive manufacturing.
Deep TechDefense TechMedical Devices
Mainstream Engineering researches, engineers, and manufactures advanced technology products—including refrigeration and environmental control units, power converters, engines, thermal management systems, and bioenergy/sensing solutions—for government, military, commercial, and industrial customers.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechRockledge, US
Sanchez Engineering develops optical and sensor-based technologies, including PIQuE software for Windows that analyzes geotagged image collections to detect photogrammetry reconstruction issues and an Android app for calculating drone flight parameters such as height, field of view, and ground sample distance.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardware
Sanchez(Founder, Optical Engineer, Drone Pilot)
MTR (Membrane Technology and Research) designs modular membrane systems for industrial gas separation, including monomer and hydrogen recovery, LPG recovery, syngas upgrading, and CO2 removal from natural gas.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechNew MaterialsNewark, US
Richard Baker(Founder)
Co-investorsClimate Investment
MI is the for-profit commercialization arm of MTU/MTRI, formed to capitalize and monetize intellectual property and innovations arising from MTU/MTRI funded research.
Deep Tech
Gregory Leonard(President & Board Chairman)Jim Baker(Secretary)Suzanne Morin(Treasurer)Nikola Subotic(Board of Directors)Robert Shuchman(Board of Directors)
Navitas Systems designs and builds lithium battery systems for applications including warehouse equipment, defense platforms, and mission-critical backup power.
Defense TechEnergyHardware
Nelson\Nygaard is a transportation planning and engineering consultancy that provides multimodal planning, transit design, active transportation, parking, and mobility services for communities and public agencies.
Mobility & Transportation
NGSIM (New Global Systems for Intelligent Mobility) provides transportation and traffic engineering consulting and develops traffic simulation software, including its ETFOMM modeling platform, for federal, state, and local agencies, research partners, and private-sector clients.
GovTechLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & Transportation
Novateur Research Solutions provides research, incubation, funding, and commercialization support for government and commercial clients, taking novel technologies from concept to market.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechAshburn, US
Khurram Hassan Shafique(President)Zeeshan Rasheed(Chief Technology Officer)Joseph Bercovic(Director of Strategic Growth)
Oceanit is a multidisciplinary innovation lab and engineering firm that applies fundamental science to develop and deploy technology across aerospace and defense, energy, life sciences, and environmental/civil engineering.
Deep TechDefense TechEnergyHonolulu, US
Omitron provides space situational awareness, astrodynamics, and defensive counterspace services, including on-orbit asset protection and satellite risk assessment.
Defense TechGovTechSpace Tech
Optra Edge is an integrated hardware and software platform for deploying edge AI applications, letting businesses run AI outside the cloud with remote provisioning, fleet monitoring, and chainable software "skills." It offers industry-tailored offerings for manufacturing, retail, transportation, and healthcare.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareIoT
Paulsson provides subsurface exploration and monitoring services using proprietary Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) and fiber optic downhole sensor technologies for high-resolution 3D imaging of geological formations, faults, and fluids.
Deep TechEnergyHardware
PhosphorTech develops and manufactures photonic materials and optoelectronic products, including LED phosphors, nanocrystals, color conversion films, phosphor sheets, scintillators, and NIR-enhanced lighting and IR/red light therapy devices.
Deep TechHardwareNew Materials
Photon-X develops 3D shape-based AI applications built on its proprietary Spatial Phase Imaging (SPI) sensor technology, which captures pixel-level surface data such as surface angles, refraction index, and surface normals across the electromagnetic spectrum.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense Tech
Co-investorsInvestcorp
Protection Engineering Consultants is a consulting firm offering protective design, physical security, risk mitigation, research and testing, modeling and simulation, and data science services to protect people from explosions, terrorist threats, accidents, and natural hazards.
Deep TechDefense TechGovTech
QuakeWrap develops and applies patented fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems to repair and strengthen infrastructure such as seawalls, piles, pipelines, bridges, storage tanks, and industrial structures, including underwater and seismic retrofit work.
Advanced ManufacturingConstruction TechNew MaterialsTucson, US
Mo Ehsani(Founder)
Quantum Design builds automated materials characterization systems with a range of measurement capabilities for researchers in physics, chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsSan Diego, US
AI & Machine LearningGovTechMobility & Transportation
Co-investorsNeer Venture Partners
Resodyn Corporation is a research and development company that engineers and manufactures technology products and provides engineering and manufacturing services, developing solutions through public grants (such as SBIR) and private R&D contracts.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
RESPEC is an engineering, applied sciences, and technology consulting firm that provides services across energy, environment, facilities, mining, water, transportation, land development, and solid waste, along with data and technology solutions.
CleantechData & InfrastructureEnergy
Provides a software platform for cities and public transit agencies to plan and operate electric bus fleets, including battery sizing, fleet scheduling, greenhouse gas estimation, and a digital twin module for range prediction.
CleantechMobility & TransportationSaaS
RideAmigos offers CommuteHub, a cloud-based transportation demand management (TDM) platform for employers and public agencies to manage commuter and parking programs.
Climate TechMobility & TransportationSaaS
RS Solutions designs high-temperature IC test and reliability systems, including universal DIP ZIF test sockets rated up to 450C and thermal test systems.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
An architectural, engineering, planning, and construction services firm providing planning and design services to clients across sectors including food and beverage processing, federal, transportation, and water infrastructure.
Construction Tech
SC Solutions provides custom process control, physics-based modeling, and structural engineering services for the semiconductor, advanced materials, energy, aerospace, and defense industries.
Construction TechDeep TechSemiconductorsSunnyvale, US
Gregory Loy(Co-founder & former CEO/President, Chairman of the Board)Chris Larsen(Chief Executive Officer & President)
Solar Roadways develops structurally engineered solar panels designed to be installed on roads, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and similar surfaces to generate clean electricity.
CleantechEnergyHardwareSandpoint, US
STI Aerospace provides flight controls, modeling, simulation, pilot assessment, and training solutions for government and industry partners in the aerospace sector, with a focus on incorporating human factors into system design and engineering.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
TDA Research Inc. is a research and development company that develops commercial products and technologies across the defense/aerospace, medical, materials, and energy industries, bringing them to market through direct sales, distribution agreements, spin-off companies, and licensing.
Deep TechEnergyNew MaterialsGolden, US
TRI Austin performs research, development, and materials testing in advanced materials, including specialty polymer-based coatings, adhesives, sealants, and composite resins, and offers nondestructive evaluation and analytical lab services.
Deep TechDefense TechNew MaterialsAustin, US
J. Scott Thornton(Founder)
NAVSYS develops GPS/inertial navigation software and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions, including the InterNav GPS/inertial product for system integrators and network-assisted PNT systems that aid military GPS receivers in jammed environments.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
Tool, Incorporated is a multidisciplinary product design and engineering firm covering research, CAD engineering, and production sourcing.
ConsumerHardwareMedical Devices
TAPCO (Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc.) manufactures, distributes, and services roadway safety products such as RRFB pedestrian crosswalk systems for improving the safety of vulnerable road users.
Advanced ManufacturingHardwareMobility & TransportationBrown Deer, US
TransTek Innovation Group (TIG) develops sensing, imaging, and simulation technologies plus software for structural health monitoring and non-destructive evaluation of structures such as bridges, buildings, and industrial and energy systems.
Construction TechDeep TechIoT
Triton is a defense contractor that develops mission-critical solutions and integrates emerging technology for the U.S. government and defense partners.
Deep TechDefense Tech
UFA develops air traffic control simulation and speech recognition software used for training and safety in air traffic management.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechBurlington, US
Lawrence A. Pennett(President)David L. Wolff(Chief Executive Officer)Maria G. DeSousa(Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer)Rajiv J. Sood(Vice President)
BoardDaniel Raynor(Director)in
Co-investorsThe Argentum Group
ULC Technologies provides robotics-assisted field services and inspection products for gas distribution utilities, including live gas main repair, cross bore detection, underground mapping, and in-pipe inspection cameras.
CleantechEnergyRobotics
Ultramet develops and manufactures refractory metals, platinum group metals, and ceramics—including coatings, freestanding structures, open-cell foams, and ceramic matrix composites—for use in extreme, high-performance environments.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechNew Materials
VisioStack provides a cloud-based platform for managing railway condition, asset, and operational data, offering search across a rail network, an automated data pipeline, predictive analytics, and data visualizations.
Cloud ComputingData & InfrastructureSaaS
Vox Biomedical develops a breath analyzer that uses laser-based high resolution spectroscopy to detect and distinguish THC from CBD in exhaled breath, aimed at measuring marijuana intoxication for law enforcement and workplace safety.
Deep TechHardwareMedical DevicesBedford, US
Wi-Tronix provides an onboard event recorder (Violet Edge) and an IoT software platform that collects and analyzes locomotive data for fuel efficiency, operator events, and fleet monitoring for railroad operators.
IoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & Transportation
BiotechWayne, US
Godfrey Nazareth(President, CEO, Secretary & Treasurer)Matthew Maltese(Director)
Zeteo Tech develops mass spectrometry and detection technologies for biomedical, defense, and security applications, including bioaerosol detection and breath analysis.
BiotechDeep TechDefense TechMedical DevicesSykesville, US
Charles J. Call(Executive Officer, Director)Wayne A. Bryden(Executive Officer, Director)Wayne Bryden(President and CEO)Tom McCreery(VP, Innovation / Chief Innovation Officer)Mike McLoughlin(VP, Research / Chief Technology Officer)Susan Furney(Chief Operating Officer)
Co-investorsAnzu PartnersCottonwood Technology Fund
ZKxKZ develops transportation, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies from concept through commercialization, using a team spanning materials science, mechanical engineering, and systems integration to serve government and industry.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense Tech
Exits · 1
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioRapidflowtechacq. by Miovision