A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The INNOVATE Act aims to improve the SBIR and STTR programs under the Small Business Act. It introduces a "strategic breakthrough allocation" to fund Phase II agreements for small business concerns meeting specific requirements. The bill creates a "Phase 1A" program to increase accessibility for new entrants through shorter, $40,000 proposals. It also implements stricter security measures to protect American innovation from foreign risks and adversarial influence. Additionally, the act seeks to increase participation in rural communities and streamline administrative processes. Finally, it extends the authorization for these programs through 2028.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The act creates new funding streams like Phase 1A and strategic breakthrough allocations specifically for small businesses.
- Scored +8
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill mandates enhanced agency outreach specifically to increase participation in rural communities.
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
Small business owners benefit from streamlined proposal processes and new accessibility via the Phase 1A program.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill explicitly prohibits considering race, gender, or ethnicity in award decisions.
- Scored -4
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill prohibits using race or ethnicity as a factor in award decisions.
- Scored -4
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill prohibits using race or ethnicity as a factor in award decisions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Strategic Breakthrough Funding: Participating agencies can award up to $30,000,000 to small business concerns for specific needs like manufacturing, tooling, or supply chain capacity (Section 102).
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Increased Accessibility for New Entrants: The creation of a "Phase 1A" program allows new participants to submit shorter, 5-page proposals for up to $40,000 to help them enter the SBIR program (Section 201).
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Support for Rural Communities: The bill mandates enhanced outreach efforts by Federal agencies to increase the participation of small businesses located in rural areas (Section 205).
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Protection of Intellectual Property: The act directs the development of best practices to help small businesses protect their proprietary technology from being shared unintentionally with foreign entities (Section 405).
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Improved Access to Investment: The bill seeks to connect SBIR and STTR awardees with small business investment companies and other domestic private investors (Section 204).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Funding Totals: A small business concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries, may only receive a total of $75,000,000 in Phase I and Phase II awards (Section 201).
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New Limitations on Proposal Submissions: Small businesses are limited to submitting no more than 10 proposals to a single solicitation and a combined total of 25 proposals per agency in a single fiscal year (Section 302).
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Strict Security Disclosures and Risks: Small businesses must disclose potential foreign risks, which include any foreign affiliation, investment agreement, or research relationship within the past 10 years (Section 401).
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Prohibitions Based on Agreements: Small businesses may be prohibited from receiving awards if they have current or pending agreements with specific entities identified as engaging in censorship (Section 203).
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Restrictions on Intellectual Property Transfer: Small businesses may face restrictions on selling or leasing intellectual property developed with SBIR/STTR awards to foreign entities or individuals not from NATO or major non-NATO allies (Section 404).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The act creates new funding streams like Phase 1A and strategic breakthrough allocations specifically for small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds breakthrough technologies and manufacturing capacity which supports industrial scaling and job growth.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill mandates enhanced agency outreach specifically to increase participation in rural communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Small business owners benefit from streamlined proposal processes and new accessibility via the Phase 1A program. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill prohibits using race or ethnicity as a factor in award decisions. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill prohibits using race or ethnicity as a factor in award decisions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The act increases the required expenditure percentages for SBIR and STTR programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill explicitly prohibits considering race, gender, or ethnicity in award decisions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill includes a GAO study to evaluate enhanced risk in cybersecurity practices within SBIR/STTR projects.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires agencies to report on the implementation of strategic breakthrough allocations and security due diligence.
- 8/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/25/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Mariannette Miller-MeeksRepublican · Iowa