Press Release:
May 15, 2023
SBA Announces Molecular Rebar Design, LLC to Present at 2nd Annual Startup Expo
Startup Expo 2023 kicks off America’s Seed Fund Week on May 15th
Austin, TX – This year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will kick off America’s Seed Fund Week on May 15th with the 2nd annual Startup Expo, showcasing innovative small businesses developing cutting edge technologies critical for our nation’s economic prosperity, global competitiveness, and national security.
This year’s Expo will highlight Molecular Rebar Design as one of 9 winning startups advancing technology supported by America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs.
Molecular Rebar Design, LLC (MRD), was founded in 2010 with the recognition that there was a huge gap between the theoretical performance of carbon nanotubes and their commercial viability because of their poor dispersability. MRD bridges that gap with unique capabilities to provide discrete, surface tailored carbon nanotubes, called MOLECULAR REBAR®. One such application of discrete and chemically modified carbon nanotubes is for the intracellular transport of biomolecules using Medical-Grade Molecular Rebar, MGMR®, a versatile trans-membrane delivery vehicle that delivers biomolecules where they are needed. MRD has been awarded a phase II, two-year $1.1M Defense Health Agency research contract to facilitate the delivery of HIV-neutralizing plasmid intracellularly.
Entrepreneurs, small business startups, and organizations interested in learning more about MRD and the impact of America’s Seed Fund are invited and welcome to participate in this free virtual event on May 15th.
America’s Seed Fund Week Kick off and Startup Expo Overview
2 – 2:30 PM ET | America’s Seed Fund Week Welcome and Opening
Remarks by SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman
2:30 – 5 PM ET | America’s Seed Fund Startup Expo 2023
Welcome with Bailey DeVries, SBA Associate Administrator for Investment and Innovation
Fireside Chat with Bailey DeVries, SBA Associate Administrator, and Dr. Jason Rathje, Director of the Office of Strategic Capital at the Department of Defense, on the Small Business Investment Company Critical Technology Initiative
Startup Expo spotlighting MRD and other showcase winners and moderated by Helena Krusec, Strategic Engagement Lead at AFWERX; Bob Smith, Director, SBIR/STTR Programs at the Department of the Navy; and Andy Yakulis, Director, Corporate Ventures at the Army Applications Lab
Closing Remarks
America’s Seed Fund Week and Startup Expo 2023 are virtual events. Participation is free and open to the public. For the full week’s schedule and how to register visit https://bit.ly/ASFweekexpo23.