Gov. Susana MartinezSTATE News:
SANTA FE — Last week, Gov. Susana Martinez announced another tool to help New Mexico small businesses grow and thrive. The Small Business Innovation Research matching grant will help New Mexico companies commercialize their research and innovation as marketable products and services.
“Helping our small businesses grow and thrive – particularly those centered around science and technology – is a top priority in growing and diversifying our economy,” Martinez said. “New Mexico is well-positioned to be a hub for high-tech jobs tied to new products and technology, and building on this opportunity is vital to continuing to build on our momentum as one of the fastest-growing economies in the country.”
The NM SBIR Matching Grant is a competitive grant that provides matching funds to help science and technology-focused small businesses bring their research and innovation to the marketplace as products and services. The grant provides matching funds to New Mexico companies that have been granted federal SBIR awards. This competitive grant will match Phase I SBIR awards up to $50,000. Phase II awardees are eligible for a match up to $100,000.
“This powerful program provides more opportunities for technology developed in New Mexico to be utilized for job creation in New Mexico,” Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel said. “This investment strengthens our commitment to building an even stronger economy and helping our homegrown companies succeed.”
The following companies were awarded NMSBIR Matching grants in the first round:
- MidSchool Math is a Taos-based educational software company. MidSchoolMath designs software to improve outcomes for students. The company will receive $100,000 from the program.
- Specifica is a Los Alamos-based company focused on providing the next generation of human antibody engineering and discovery solutions. The company will receive $50,000 from the program.
- Caniv Tech is an Albuquerque-based company providing specialized technology consulting services to commercial, government and international clients. The company will receive $50,000 from the program.
- Pajarito Powderis an Albuquerque based technology start-up that develops material for hydrogen fuel cells. Founded in 2012, the startup manufactures precious-metal-free catalysts and Engineered Catalyst Supports for the automotive industry, through technology licensed in part from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The company will receive $50,000 from the program.
The SBIR is the latest in a series of tools and reforms championed by Martinez designed to grow and diversify New Mexico’s private-sector economy. Martinez has bolstered New Mexico’s closing fund and job training program, which were nearly dormant when she took office. Martinez has also streamlined regulations, reduced red tape and cut taxes.
To further bolster New Mexico as a hub for high-tech jobs, Martinez reestablished the Technology Research Collaborative, which helps commercialize research and innovation from New Mexico’s labs and universities.
Martinez also established the Catalyst Fund, a $40 million partnership with the State Investment Council that focuses on helping homegrown New Mexico technology startups grow and thrive.
As a result of these tools, reforms and investments, New Mexico continues to recruit global and national companies like Facebook, FedEx, Safelite and others, while helping homegrown businesses like Skorpios, UBiQD, Descartes Labs, Risksense and others grow and thrive as well. New Mexico continues to be a national leader in economic growth, ranked top ten in the country for GDP growth for two consecutive quarters.
