2026 Hawaii SBIR Conference
Please Join Us at the 2026 Hawaii SBIR Conference
This conference is Hawaii’s premier gathering for tech and innovation for groundbreaking ideas meet real go-to-market opportunities. This is your chance to dive deep into America’s Seed Fund – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs – and learn how to effectively transition your research into impactful market solutions.
Why Attend?
Meet SBIR/STTR program managers in-person, schedule a one-on-one meeting with them to find out what they are looking for and what kinds of projects their agencies are funding. The SBIR/STTR program was reauthorized and updated earlier this year. Find out what those changes are and how they could affect you.
This year’s conference will also be taking place on Hawaii Island, in Kona, as well as on Maui, in Kihei. As HTDC is focusing our efforts the on Ocean and Space technology industries, the programming will also showcase the existing industry and more.
What to Expect:
Powered by the Hawaii Technology Development (HTDC) and supported in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), this year’s conference promises a great lineup of expert speakers including SBIR Program Managers, industry experts, and small business support partners. Explore what the SBIR Program has to offer to assist innovative companies in taking their ideas from the lab to the market. Meet other Hawaii companies that have successfully commercialized their technology by leveraging the SBIR program.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Oahu, Honolulu at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center: General SBIR
Thursday, November 5, 2026 – Hawaii Island, Kona at the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park: SBIR and Ocean
Friday, November 6, 2026 – Maui, Kihei at the Malcolm Center: SBIR and Space
Who Should Participate?
Small and medium size companies:
- Looking for non-dilutive funding for innovation, research & development
- That want to work with the federal government
- That want to partner with a prime contractor
- Looking for other funding opportunities, including venture capital, contracting, prize challenges, and more
- With innovative solutions looking for government customers
Companies
- Who are existing SBIR/STTR recipients
- Interested in non-dilutive funding opportunities
Customers
- In search of innovative solutions
- Ocean Tech
- Space Tech
- Advanced Manufacturing
Investors
Looking to extend capital to promising SBIR/STTR companies – venture capital funds
Stay tuned! Registration Opening SOON!
Sponsorship Opportunities
This conference is an ideal venue to highlight your business!
Agenda Highlights
Panel
Discussions
Speaker
One-on-ones
Networking
Reception
Informational
Sessions
About SBIR
Since 1988, the State of Hawaiʻi has actively encouraged local high technology companies to increase their research and development activities by participating in the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Hawaiʻi has the longest running state SBIR/STTR matching grant program in the United States. In fact, Hawaiʻi’s companies have garnered over 900 SBIR/STTR awards with a majority from the Department of Defense.
Through the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), our state has supported over 400 high value SBIR projects by:
- Awarding State matching grants to Hawaiʻi companies that receive federal SBIR and STTR awards
- Providing technical assistance in proposal writing
- Commercialization consulting
- Creating networking and partnership building opportunities
