Working Together to Incubate Biotechnology and Healthcare Companies


By: Matt McMahon, Director – SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development), National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is proud to be an Angel Capital Association Platinum Partner. NIH supports a dynamic portfolio of 1,500 cutting edge small businesses with over a billion dollars of non-dilutive investment every year. Angel investors can partner with NIH to help NIH-funded small businesses bring their products and services to the healthcare marketplace, where they can improve health and save lives. 

We would like to tell you about a new NIH initiative that can help NIH-funded companies achieve a degree of investment-readiness that may increase their attractiveness to private capital investors. Our new NIH Needs Assessment Program provides small businesses with an unbiased, third-party assessment of their progress in 12 technical and business areas and suggests to the company the highest priority actions needed to improve their investor readiness and potential long-term success.

  • Target Market Attractiveness (Need/Size)
  • Technology/Solution’s Ability to Address Market Need
  • Regulatory Path
  • Healthcare Economics and Reimbursement Plan
  • Business Model Profitability
  • Competition and Intellectual Property Status
  • Sales and Marketing Strategy
  • Management Team
  • Strategic Partners
  • Financial Plan
  • Investor Readiness and Funding Status
  • Potential Exit Path

Any company that has held an active NIH Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase I or Fast-Track award from NIH within the past two years is eligible to participate in the NIH Needs Assessment Program for free by simply submitting a request online.

Save time and increase the return on your investment

When evaluating biotechnology and healthcare companies for your portfolio, consider NIH-supported awardees with the Needs Assessment Program under their belts. The Needs Assessment Program report can supplement your diligence, helping you make wise investment decisions faster. Companies already in your portfolio may also qualify to receive a Needs Assessment report. Learn more about the Needs Assessment Program or explore NIH’s Small Business Programs today!

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