Several small businesses in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to receive $100,000 of Phase I funding for six months for “proof of concept” of their proposed technology
ATLANTA (January 10, 2025) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $2,500,000 for 25 small businesses to develop technologies to address public health and environmental challenges. These companies are using innovative approaches that include treating PFAS in biosolids, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from building materials, and developing chemical alternatives that are safer for our environment.
“Congratulations to these small businesses for their dedication to driving innovation and tackling today’s environmental challenges,” said Maureen Gwinn, Acting Assistant Administrator in EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “Their groundbreaking ideas not only address critical needs but also pave the way for a healthier planet and a stronger, more sustainable economy.”
These awards are part of EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, an annual, two-phase competition for small businesses to develop and commercialize environmental technologies that help address the Agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment. The 25 small businesses selected are receiving $100,000 of Phase I funding for six months for “proof of concept” of their proposed technology. Companies that complete Phase I can then apply to receive Phase II funding of up to $400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technology.
Seven of the 25 selected companies are in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. These SBIR Phase I winners located in EPA’s Southeast Region and their proposed technologies are listed below:
- AxNano, LLC of Greensboro, North Carolina, to create a novel, field-deployable treatment process for removing PFAS from biosolids allowing beneficial reuse;
- Design Interactive Inc. of Orlando, Florida, for a comprehensive, AI-powered training simulation to enhance disaster response preparedness;
- EcoaTEX, LLC. of Hull, Georgia, to create a technology that converts agricultural waste into high-performance biodegradable fibers;
- Mainstream Engineering Corporation of Rockledge, Florida, to create a scalable point-of-use water treatment system to remove cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins;
- Nativo Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida, to create a novel method to remove installed ceramic tiles without damaging them through vibration technology allowing for reuse of materials;
- Tetramer Technologies LLC of Pendleton, South Carolina, to create a bio-renewable high-performance tire rubber additive to replace the standard use of 6PPD and alleviate its associated ecotoxicity.; and
- VerdeTerra LLC. of Atlanta, Georgia, to develop an air purification system which uses microbes to reduce CO2 and other indoor pollutants.
Learn more about the winning companies.
Learn more about EPA’s SBIR program.
Learn more about the government-wide SBIR Program
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