The 2026 Hawaiʻi SBIR Conference is coming to Maui on Friday, November 6, and will be held at the Malcolm Center in Kihei, bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, technology companies, students, and federal agency representatives to explore opportunities through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Part of a statewide series of innovation and entrepreneurship events across the Hawaiian Islands, the conference connects Hawaiʻi innovators with federal agencies and SBIR/STTR funding opportunities through America’s Seed Fund.
Hosted by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and presented by the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), the conference will focus on SBIR opportunities in the space sector and provide direct access to federal program leaders through presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and one-on-one meetings.
Representatives from NASA, NOAA, the U.S. Department of Energy, USDA, the U.S. Navy, SpaceWERX, MDA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are expected to participate, providing information on agency priorities, funding opportunities, and upcoming solicitations.
Attendees will learn about the SBIR/STTR application process, proposal development, and commercialization strategies. The program will also feature Hawaiʻi companies that have successfully secured SBIR funding and brought new technologies to market.
The SBIR and STTR programs are the nation’s largest source of non-dilutive research and development funding for small businesses, helping companies transform innovative ideas into commercial products.
To encourage participation from the next generation of innovators, MEDB is offering complimentary registration for Maui-based faculty and students. Faculty and students interested in this opportunity should contact yosef@medb.org.
Learn more and register to secure your seat at the 2026 Hawaii SBIR Conference.
MEDB is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1982 with a mission to diversify Maui County’s economy, building pathways to innovation, jobs and opportunities for our residents. Through partnerships with the public and private sector, MEDB undertakes projects that assist growth industries with navigating and thriving in our county, educates and trains residents for new careers, and engages our community in forums that determine future economic directions.