The purpose of the fast program is to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small business concerns in every state

The University of Wisconsin System received a $125,000 project grant award from the Small Business Administration Office of Investments and Innovations under the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST Program, CFDA #59.058). The grant will support the University's efforts to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small businesses in Wisconsin through September 2024. Specifically, the University will work to improve small technology firms' participation in innovation and commercialization activities by addressing gaps in state technology programs that foster economic development among high-tech small businesses. The FAST Program aims to enhance coordination between federal and state efforts to aid small companies. This award will allow the University of Wisconsin System to leverage its resources and expertise over the next three years to help strengthen Wisconsin's small business innovation ecosystem through September 2024.

Congress has found that there is much variance within state technology programs that foster economic development among small high-technology firms. Therefore, this program intends to improve the participation of small technology firms in the innovation and commercialization