The Build to Scale (B2S) program is a federal grant initiative from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), aimed at fostering economic growth by supporting technology-driven businesses and innovation ecosystems. Through this program, eligible entities like nonprofits, universities, public-private partnerships, and economic development organizations can access funding to enhance entrepreneurial capacity, increase access to capital, and support high-growth industries. With a strong focus on innovation, Build-to-Scale grants empower regions to create sustainable, high-wage jobs and drive competitive advantages on a global scale.
The B2S program invites applications from organizations supporting high-growth startups and entrepreneurs who are focused on deploying transformative and emerging technologies. The program aligns with EDA’s strategic priorities of fostering regional innovation ecosystems, particularly in critical industries such as advanced manufacturing, biosciences, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.
Key goals include:
EDA expects to award up to $5 million per project, with an estimated 40-50 awards. All applications are due by October 28, 2024.
The Build to Scale program is rooted in technology-based economic development to enable business growth and overcome various obstacles technology-driven businesses face depending on their industry, location, and market conditions. The Build to Scale (B2S) program, run by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), offers funding designed to address issues around an organization’s capacity to create new technology products and services and boost economic growth.
B2S encourages long-term impact by requiring applicants to:
To be eligible for a Build to Scale grant, your organization must fall into one of the following categories:
Government Entities: States, Indian tribes, cities, or other political subdivisions
Non-Public Entities: These include nonprofits, higher education institutions (not fully public), public-private partnerships, science or research parks, federal labs, venture development organizations, and economic development organizations focused on innovation.
Consortiums: Groups comprising any combination of the above entities are also eligible to apply.
1. Project Quality (10 points): EDA looks at how well you’ve designed your project, including your goals, timeline, and how it fits with local resources. They also want to see how private partners and capital are involved.
2. Economic Impact (10 points): This measures how much your project will boost job creation and promote inclusive, long-term economic growth in your region, especially in key industries like climate tech.
3. Capital Access (10 points): EDA wants to know how your project will help businesses get better access to funding, especially in areas where capital is hard to find.
4. Partnership Commitments (5 points): Strong partnerships are key. The more committed and relevant your partners are—especially private sector ones—the better.
5. Talent and Workforce (5 points): EDA will assess how your project plans to build and retain a skilled workforce, including offering training or apprenticeships.
6. Equity and Diversity (5 points): Projects that support underserved communities, addressing barriers and creating opportunities for everyone, score higher.
7. Tech Hubs or NSF Engines (5 points): If your project aligns with a designated Tech Hub or NSF Engine and you have a letter of endorsement, you’ll earn extra points for collaboration.
For potential applicants using platforms like OneValley's PassportOS, focusing on innovation and scaling entrepreneurship is key. Organizations should demonstrate a clear understanding of their regional assets, opportunities for technology commercialization, and strategies for increasing access to capital. Successful projects will likely show a strong commitment to equitable development, leveraging regional resources to support innovation-driven sectors.
To create a compelling proposal:
With B2S, organizations can play a pivotal role in driving the future of the U.S. economy by fostering new technologies, promoting innovation, and ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in the process of economic development.
The Build to Scale (B2S) program is a powerful opportunity for organizations supporting technology entrepreneurs. However, the complex application process can be challenging. OneValley’s PassportOS simplifies this by offering a streamlined, data-driven platform to manage projects and collaborate with stakeholders.
PassportOS provides a central hub for managing entrepreneurship initiatives. It allows B2S applicants to easily track progress, monitor milestones, and manage project data, ensuring alignment with B2S goals.
With customizable workflows, PassportOS simplifies complex applications. The platform supports:
PassportOS offers real-time analytics to track key performance metrics like economic impact, job creation, and access to capital—helping applicants strengthen their case with data
The platform fosters collaboration by connecting startups with investors, mentors, and corporate partners. Its subcommunities enable resource sharing among different stakeholders
With B2S’s focus on underserved communities, PassportOS helps target diverse populations, supporting efforts to promote inclusivity and track equity initiatives
PassportOS helps applicants create and implement sustainability plans to ensure that initiatives continue after the B2S funding period through its Strategic Services arm and RoundZero, its philanthropic venture fund.
By leveraging PassportOS, B2S applicants can provide a robust platform to support the tech-driven businesses in their regions, enhance collaboration, and ensure long-term project success.