National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Grant agencyInvestment thesis
Funds measurement science and standards-adjacent technology through SBIR — instrumentation, metrology, and manufacturing.
SBIR/STTR awards · non-dilutive funding
Federal grants and contracts to small businesses — no equity taken. Awards on record 2003–2023.
287 Phase I · 144 Phase II · most-funded states: CA, MA, MD, TX, NY
| Recent awardees | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRITICALITY SCIENCES INCAlexandria, VA | Phase II | 2023 | $400K |
| INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INCIrvine, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $398.6K |
| JULIA JEAN, LLCIrvine, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $400K |
| INFRATRAC INCSilver Spring, MD | Phase II | 2023 | $400K |
| TIAMI LLCElk Grove, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $400K |
| XMARK LABS, LLCBarrington, RI | Phase I | 2023 | $100K |
| FRAMERGY INCCollege Station, TX | Phase I | 2023 | $100K |
| SYGNAMAP INCSan Antonio, TX | Phase I | 2023 | $100K |
| ChemCubed, LLCStony Brook, NY | Phase I | 2023 | $100K |
| QUANTTERA LLCTempe, AZ | Phase I | 2023 | $100K |
| APPLIED RESEARCH TRANSFORMATION, PLLCDurham, NC | Phase I | 2023 | $100K |
| ACTOPROBE LLCAlbuquerque, NM | Phase I | 2023 | $99.9K |
| EXABYTE INC.Walnut Creek, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $99.9K |
| ITA INTERNATIONAL LLCNewport News, VA | Phase I | 2023 | $99.3K |
| ROWND INCRaleigh, NC | Phase I | 2023 | $96.6K |
| EXUM INSTRUMENTS, INC.Lakewood, CO | Phase II | 2022 | $399.8K |
| CRITICALITY SCIENCES INCAlexandria, VA | Phase I | 2022 | $100K |
| QUALTERRA, INC.Pullman, WA | Phase I | 2022 | $100K |
| IC3D, INC.Columbus, OH | Phase I | 2022 | $800K |
| 3D ARRAY TECHNOLOGY LLCStorrs, CT | Phase I | 2022 | $800K |
| VURONYX TECHNOLOGIES LLCWoburn, MA | Phase I | 2022 | $800K |
| RATIOCINATIVE ENGINEERING SERVICES LLCBoulder, CO | Phase I | 2022 | $769K |
| MULTISCALE SYSTEMS, INC.Worcester, MA | Phase II | 2022 | $400K |
| XALLENT INC.Ithaca, NY | Phase II | 2022 | $400K |
| ZYMOSENSE INC.Ames, IA | Phase II | 2022 | $400K |
| COLLOIDAL METRICS CORPORATIONMountain View, CA | Phase II | 2022 | $400K |
| ChemCubed, LLCStony Brook, NY | Phase II | 2022 | $400K |
| IRRADIANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.Cambridge, MA | Phase II | 2022 | $399.9K |
| REFINED IMAGING, LLCBaton Rouge, LA | Phase I | 2022 | $100K |
| SOLUTION SPRAY TECHNOLOGIES LLCStorrs, CT | Phase I | 2022 | $100K |
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 92 of 150 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×62Hardware ×51New Materials ×20Advanced Manufacturing ×18Semiconductors ×15Defense Tech ×14AI & Machine Learning ×13Biotech ×9
HQs:United States×35
Investments · 150 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 102022 · 142021 · 82020 · 92019 · 112018 · 102017 · 92016 · 112015 · 142013 · 72011 · 5108 dated
Infleqtion designs and manufactures neutral atom quantum computers, quantum sensors, and software for governments, corporations, and research institutions.
Deep TechDefense TechQuantum ComputingLouisville, US
Pranav Gokhale(Chief Technology Officer)Paul Lipman(Chief Revenue Officer)Jason D. Hall(Chief Legal Officer)Ilan Hart(Chief Financial Officer)Matthew J. Kinsella(Chief Executive Officer)
BoardDavid B. Singer(Director)
Irvine, US
Ryan Hoffman(Executive Officer)Joy Hou(Director)Steven Bronson(Executive Officer, Director)Declan Flannery(Executive Officer)Maria Fregosi(Director)Gene Chen(Executive Officer)
AAPlasma is an engineering company that researches and develops advanced oxidation processes using non-equilibrium "cold" plasma, UV, and high-voltage electronics, and partners with industry clients to integrate these systems for applications like air cleaning, water treatment, disinfection, and food safety.
CleantechDeep TechNew MaterialsPhiladelphia, US
Greg Fridman(Co-founder)Charles Bailey(Co-founder)
AdSem, Inc. develops and manufactures customized silicon and germanium thermistors, including medical NTC thermistors and high- and low-temperature thermistors, along with semiconductor materials.
HardwareMedical DevicesSemiconductors
AdValue Photonics designs and manufactures fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers, broadband fiber sources, and fiber-based components across the 515 nm, 1 µm, 1.55 µm, and 2 µm wavelength ranges.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Arc Nano provides technology and manufacturing solutions for high-tech industries, including semiconductor, aerospace, and scientific instruments.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechSemiconductors
Advanced Silicon Group works in nanotechnology, using the tagline "Nanotechnology for Life."
BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesNew MaterialsSemiconductorsLowell, US
Marcie Black(CEO & Co-founder)William Rever(Executive Officer, Director)Bill Rever(Chief Marketing and Sales Officer & Co-founder)
BoardAlan Watson(Director)Sarah Kelly(Director)
Advent Diamond designs and manufactures all-diamond semiconductor components, including discrete and integrated devices, using precision-doped diamond films and proprietary low-resistance ohmic contacts.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Aerodyne Research develops research-grade scientific instrumentation and provides measurement and R&D services focused on environmental and energy challenges.
Climate TechDeep TechHardware
AI Solutions is a consulting firm that advises businesses on machine learning projects, covering problem scoping, data analysis, and the design and implementation of custom AI systems.
AI & Machine LearningData & Infrastructure
AlphaCore designs analog, mixed-signal, and RF integrated circuits, including IP cores, data conversion technology, image sensors, and camera systems.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Amethyst Research develops infrared detector and emitter technologies, offering materials growth, device prototyping, and testing for government agencies, national labs, universities, and prime contractors.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
Applied NanoFluorescence (ANF) manufactures optical spectroscopy instruments, such as its NanoSpectralyzer, that detect, characterize, and quantify nanomaterials including single-walled carbon nanotubes and near-infrared quantum dots in bulk samples.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsHouston, US
R. Bruce Weisman(Founder & President)Sergei M. Bachilo(Chief Scientific Officer)
ARtx (Applied Research transformation) develops technology for the construction, inspection, monitoring, and sustainment of heavy civil infrastructure, drawing on engineering analysis, technology development, and asset management.
Construction TechDeep TechGovTech
Areté develops technology and engineering solutions with a focus on defense applications, including counter-drone systems and missile defense.
Deep TechDefense Tech
Artium develops and manufactures particle characterization instruments used to measure sprays, clouds, and aerosol droplets for energy, environmental, and industrial applications.
Climate TechDeep TechHardware
Architecture Technology Corporation develops modeling tools for optimizing air transport efficiency and assessing the impact of incidents such as air traffic control disruptions, and offers CYRIN, a browser-based cybersecurity training platform that uses real tools against real threats.
CybersecurityDefense TechEdTech
AxNano develops patented equipment platforms that capture and destroy PFAS ("forever chemicals") at the source as a treatment for complex wastes and contaminated water.
CleantechClimate TechNew Materials
BellBrook Labs develops and sells biochemical assay kits, active human enzymes, substrates, and complete assay systems, and provides assay development and compound-testing services for high-throughput screening.
BiotechDeep TechMadison, US
Don Kennedy(Director)Robert G. Lowery(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Bridger Photonics develops Gas Mapping LiDAR technology and analytics to detect and measure methane emissions from oil and gas operations, helping operators reduce emissions, cut costs, and meet regulatory requirements.
Climate TechDeep TechEnergyBozeman, US
Pete Roos(Co-founder, Chief Innovation Officer)
Brimrose designs and manufactures Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) components, NIR spectrometers, and hyperspectral imagers, offering custom optical solutions.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Cambridge Polymer Group (CPG) is a materials science consulting firm offering contract research, analytical testing, and R&D support to help clients with material selection, product design, manufacturing optimization, and regulatory compliance.
Deep TechMedical DevicesNew Materials
ChemCubed develops jettable materials and printer systems for printed electronics and 3D printing, targeting applications such as printed circuit boards, displays, flexible hybrid electronics, passive components, RFID/sensors, photovoltaics, and wearables.
Advanced ManufacturingHardwareNew Materials
Discovery Semiconductors manufactures ultrafast, high optical power InGaAs photodetectors, RF-over-fiber and balanced optical receivers, extended-wavelength photodiodes, and coherent receiver systems for 10 to 100 Gb applications.
HardwareSemiconductorsSpace Tech
Distant Focus develops optomechanics and camera systems for imaging applications, including head-mounted displays and enhanced vision systems.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
Electronic BioSciences (EBS) develops low-noise electronic instrumentation combined with biologically based platforms for nanopore and ion channel measurements.
BiotechDeep TechHardware
Emergent builds a mobile app for fire and rescue and EMS teams that consolidates crew locations, unit status, and vehicle telematics into a single view, and integrates trucks and compartment devices with first responders.
HealthtechIoTSaaS
Exum develops the Massbox, a laser ablation laser ionization (LALI) analytical instrument for scientific labs that improves ionization efficiency and ease of use.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsDenver, US
Jeffrey Williams(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Michael A Minyard(Executive Officer)James Thorson(Executive Officer, Director)Stephen Strickland(Director)
BoardPaul Giovacchini(Director)Doug Campbell(Director)
Gener8 is a product development company offering engineering services including product design, software development, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Glow Biosciences is a contract research organization offering preclinical study services—including study design, model selection, drug and medical device evaluation, pharmacokinetics, and pathology—using animal models of human disease.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesColumbia, US
Graphene Waves manufactures epitaxial graphene materials and quantum Hall effect devices, and provides related consultancy for a range of applications.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsGaithersburg, US
H3D develops radiation detection instruments based on CZT (CdZnTe) technology, including imaging spectrometers, spectrometers, and handheld directional radioisotope identification devices (RIIDs).
Deep TechHardware
InfoBeyond develops cybersecurity, AI, computer vision, and communications technologies for national defense and civilian organizations.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense Tech
InfraTrac develops light-based (spectroscopic) technology used to detect counterfeit products, verify 3D-printed parts, and improve controlled-release formulations.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Innovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) designs and manufactures custom-engineered wireless network solutions for voice, text, data communications, and real-time location tracking.
Enterprise SoftwareHardwareIoT
Exits · 2
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioInfleqtionNYSE: INFQInterlink ElectronicsNASDAQ: LINK
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesExum · intelligence360.news · Jul 20, 2026
Infleqtion · kavout.com · Jul 16, 2026