Stratajam Awarded Grant from the National Science Foundation

Summary

April 25, 2022 - Stratajam, LLC, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant for $256,000.00 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on Real-Time Mineral Data Collection and Identification Module. 

The project intends to use machine learning and a unique sensor package to analyze the walls of mineral exploration and geotechnical boreholes and report the results to the customer using a secure web portal in real-time. The equipment is designed to cut mineral exploration and geotechnical drilling costs and environmental impacts. It will provide accurate and instantaneous results for critical decision-making in the mining and construction industries. 
 
“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, division director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”  
 
 “We are pleased to be afforded this opportunity to continue the development of this disruptive technology to benefit society. Our technology will address many of the pain points engineers, geologists, and planners face in mining and construction. The award is an endorsement of the vision we have to simplify and make mineral exploration more affordable,” said Michael Medearis, Principal Investigator for the project. “Texas State University welcomes the news. As partners in this research, we will contribute resources and our expertise to the project's success,” said Dr. Semih Aslan, associate professor at Texas State University. 
 
Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $275,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Small businesses with Phase II funding can receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investments or sales.  

Startups or entrepreneurs who submit a written Project Pitch will know within one month if they meet the program’s objectives to support innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit the website.

About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs

America’s Seed Fund, powered by NSF, awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $2 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.