Credit: Aidar Health

More than 80 startups funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation are creating technology solutions to enhance the detection and treatment of COVID-19.

Earlier this year, the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program solicited proposals for the development of new technologies, products, processes and services with the potential to impact the nation’s and world’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. To date, NSF has awarded more than $15 million to dozens of startups that are putting their technology to work to address this global pandemic.

"Startups nationwide responded with creativity and a diversity of experiences to create innovative technology solutions in the COVID-19 crisis," said Andrea Belz, director for the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships. "NSF-funded solutions have the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against COVID and future pandemic threats."

Visit the our website for a full list of awards to small businesses working to address the COVID-19 crisis. Here are a few examples of NSF-funded projects:

• 42BIO is using a magnetic antibody nanoparticle technology to capture and separate COVID-19 antibodies from donor serum. (NSF-2029723)
• Aidar Health is developing an oral device and platform to allow patients to test for COVID-19 at home. (NSF-2027721)
• Aerosol Devices has developed a virus collector that does not destroy viral particles and enables in-air detection of COVID-19. (NSF- 2027696)
• BioInfoExperts is creating a cloud-based infection control platform using whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and the patient's individual nasopharyngeal microbiome. (NSF- 2027424)
• Mindprint Learning is developing a data-driven approach to improve math education and thereby help students in the virtual learning environment. (NSF-2015003)
• Omnivis is adapting its existing rapid testing diagnostic tool for cholera for use in COVID-19 testing. (NSF-2028308)
• Onu Technology is creating technology to analyze confidential, encrypted data sets across different hospitals and companies to accelerate the understanding of what treatments work and to obtain statistically meaningful results faster. (NSF- 2028008)

More information about the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program, America's Seed Fund, can be found on seedfund.nsf.gov.

Media Contacts
Media Affairs, NSF, (703) 292-7090, media@nsf.gov