The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers early-stage funding through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs—also known as America’s Seed Fund. In this session, founders will get an inside look at how these programs work, what makes a strong application, and how to position your startup for success. We'll be joined by founders who have secured NSF funding, walking through their journeys and sharing lessons learned on how to unlock this powerful source of non-dilutive capital.

​Meet Your Speakers

Javier Evelyn is a mission-driven founder, operator, and product leader at the intersection of AI, digital health, and inclusive innovation. He is the CEO, Founder, and Principal Investigator of Alerje, a venture and National Science Foundation-backed startup delivering AI-enabled clinical software that helps allergy clinics predict risk, personalize oral immunotherapy, and unlock reimbursement. Alerje has evolved from its roots in emergency medicine devices to a precision care platform for the 220 million+ people living with food allergies worldwide. Javier is also the inventor or co-inventor on more than 10 U.S. and international patents spanning medical devices and digital health technologies.