By Daniel Smoot, Army Innovation Programs 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program, led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, released its Fiscal Year 2024 Year in Review, highlighting major advances in defense innovation and expanded support for small businesses. 

The program awarded $387.7 million to small businesses, accelerating the delivery of breakthrough technologies to Soldiers. Initiatives such as the Army SBIR CATALYST Program, xTechPrime, and xTechScalable AI 1&2 strengthened collaboration between industry and Army stakeholders to close capability gaps in artificial intelligence, contested logistics, energy resiliency, immersive and wearable systems, and advanced sensors. 

The SBIR CATALYST Program delivered transformative impact by awarding multiphase contracts with higher ceilings to select small businesses—enabling advanced prototype development, transition planning, scaling and integration with Army programs of record.  

Meanwhile, xTech competitions lower barriers to entry for new innovators to showcase critical solutions and directly inform Army efforts like Project Linchpin, reinforcing the Army’s ability to operationalize emerging technologies quickly. Streamlined contracting also led to a 42% decrease in contract award timelines and expanded transition support—including a 214% increase in Direct to Phase II awards—moved concepts closer to Army fielding. 

These achievements reaffirm the Army SBIR|STTR Program’s role in driving innovation, empowering small businesses and delivering mission-ready technologies that support Army modernization and national security. In FY 2025, the program will expand experimentation opportunities, deepen industry and private capital partnerships, and accelerate the transition of small business innovations to maintain the Army’s technological edge. 

Explore the full FY24 Army SBIR|STTR Year in Review.

About the Program 

The U.S. Army SBIR|STTR Program provides funding to small businesses developing dual-use technologies with military and commercial potential, while offering support from Army experts to align innovations with operational needs. Its STTR component promotes collaboration between small businesses and research institution partners including universities and federally funded research centers. Managed by the ASA(ALT), the program accelerates innovation, strengthens Army readiness and fuels economic growth across defense and commercial markets. 

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