The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are federal grants or contracts specifically designed for small, for-profit companies involved in technology innovation, development, and commercialization. These programs require government agencies to set aside some of their budgets for small businesses developing new technologies. The funds provided by these programs are equity-free and do not have to be repaid or matched. These equity-free funds support early-stage research and development and facilitate the transition of discoveries from the lab to the market.