EPA awards $800000 to support Environmental technology innovation in Colorado and Wyoming through its long-running Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, reinforcing the role of small businesses in developing solutions to some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $800,000 in Phase II funding for two innovative companies, one in Wyoming and one in Colorado, to help commercialize technologies aimed at reducing pollution and improving environmental sustainability. The EPA’s SBIR program, one of 11 federal agencies participating in the national SBIR initiative, has supported environmental innovation for more than 40 years, helping startups transform promising research into market-ready technologies.

The funded innovations will contribute to cleaner water, lower carbon emissions, improved recycling, safer chemicals, and better environmental monitoring, strengthening both environmental protection and economic growth.

Funding to Accelerate Environmental Innovation

• The EPA announced that each selected company will receive a $400,000 Phase II grant to further develop technologies with strong commercial potential.
• Teresa Booeshaghi, Associate Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions, praised the awardees for advancing innovative ideas that address critical environmental needs while supporting a healthier planet and a stronger economy.
• Regional Administrator Cyrus Western added that the grants recognize the growing role of small businesses in developing practical environmental solutions while promoting American innovation, job creation, and long-term economic development across the region.

EPA Awards $800000 to Support Environmental Technology Innovation in Colorado and Wyoming Through Two Projects

One of the recipients, Acadian Research & Development, LLC in Laramie, Wyoming, will use its grant to improve the strength, durability, and lifespan of concrete by incorporating graphene oxide derived from biochar. The company has developed a low-cost production method that converts renewable biochar into graphene oxide using a single reagent. This environmentally friendly concrete additive is expected to improve construction performance while reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with concrete production.

The second recipient, PAGE Technologies, Inc., based in Boulder, Colorado, will enhance its electrochemical nitrate sensor technology designed for wastewater treatment plants. The technology offers a compact and cost-effective alternative to existing nitrate monitoring systems, providing real-time, long-term in-situ monitoring to improve water quality management and detect contamination more efficiently.

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How the EPA SBIR Program Works

For over four decades, the EPA’s SBIR program has supported entrepreneurs developing innovative environmental technologies.

The funding process occurs in two stages:

• Phase I: Small businesses receive $100,000 over six months to demonstrate proof of concept.
• Phase II: Successful Phase I recipients can compete for $400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technology, with the opportunity to receive up to an additional $100,000 in matching funds if they secure equivalent third-party investment during the project period.

Beyond these two projects, the SBIR program supports innovations addressing PFAS contamination, water quality monitoring, indoor air pollution, recycling technologies, and safer chemical development.

By investing in early-stage environmental technologies, the EPA continues to encourage scientific innovation while helping small businesses bring practical, sustainable solutions to market. The latest awards demonstrate how targeted federal funding can accelerate clean technology development, strengthen local economies, and contribute to a healthier environment for communities across the United States.

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